10/19/04 — Rosewood rezoning opposed

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Rosewood rezoning opposed

By Barbara Arntsen
Published in News on October 19, 2004 1:59 PM

Though neighbors opposed a rezoning request for their neighborhood Monday night, they still had kind words for the man requesting the change.

Austin Scott asked the city to rezone the east side of Rosewood Road between Glenn Drive and Moss Hill Drive so he could build a duplex in the neighborhood.

"I want to live in one half of it," he explained to the City Council, "and rent the other half."

But Scott said he would understand if the city didn't approve the rezoning. "I don't want a problem. If there's a big problem, I understand."

Several nearby residents opposed it.

"I've lived there 34 years," said Jane Swinson. "It's supposed to be single dwelling, and I'd like to keep it that way. No mobile homes, no apartments."

James L. Herring said he admired Scott for wanting a property and a home, but thought there were other places better suited for a duplex.

Jim Gary and Cindy George said they wanted to preserve the quiet neighborhood and the value of their properties.

"He explained what he wanted to do and was very kind," Ms. George said of Scott. "But after investigating what it would do to my property values, I'm against it."

Two people spoke against another rezoning request to turn a single-dwelling area into a multi-family zone.

Doug Herring requested that the north side of N.C. 581 between Rosewood Road and Jumping Run Creek be rezoned.

Adjoining property owner Emmett Davis said he learned that the plan was to build 11 apartments on two acres.

"There's just not enough room there," Davis said. He was also concerned about the number of septic tanks that would be necessary for apartments.

James Langston has family who has lived nearby for over 40 years.

"I'd like to see it kept as a single-dwelling area," Langston said.

The council will vote Nov. 1 on whether to rezone the areas.