By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer

A local developer told the Whiteville Planning Board Monday he wanted a zoning designation change to make his land more marketable, not to build a housing project.

Autry Dawsey asked the planning board to change his property’s zoning from R6 (small lot residential) to R-6 MF, so he could build apartments and patio homes. The land, located between Bob White Lane and the Best Western Motel, is currently vacant.

More than a dozen residents of the Bob White Lane area turned out to protest the move, which they feared would result in a subsidized housing project being built near their homes.

“We already have to stare at the back of a motel,” one woman said. “Now you want us to look at a housing project, too?”

Others complained of gun shots coming from the motel area, as well as foot and bicycle traffic through the woods.

Dawsey defended his plans, saying he has never been involved in building a housing project, and doesn’t want to begin.

“When has my name been associated with one of those type places?” he asked.

Dawsey said he understood the homeowners along Bob White and adjoining properties were concerned, but said he is trying to fill a market need.

Dawsey said a recent survey showed a lack of rental properties such as apartments and townhomes in Whiteville, and he wants to meet that need.

“I don’t want to build subsidized housing,” he said.

Other residents questioned whether a new development in the area would overwhelm the storm drainage system, or bring excess traffic through the neighborhood.

City Attorney Carlton Williamson reminded the crowd that there were no definitive plans for a project, but that Dawsey was simply requesting a zoning change.

Dawsey pointed out that he has owned the land since 1988, when it was zoned to allow apartments.

“I don’t know when that changed,” he said. “I can’t find documentation of when I was notified that my zoning was changed.

“If I was going to do something like that, you’d think I would have done so already,” he said. “I’ve kept it up for 20 years, paid taxes on it just like you folks – I just want to move ahead with developing my property. We want to build something here on par with what you have on Bob White Lane, not something that’ll be a slum in 10 years. I want to help Whiteville grow, and people need a place to live if they’re going to move here.”

The board voted to table the measure until the March meeting.