Council Approves 14-Unit Townhome Development in South Statesville

The Statesville City Council has approved plans for a new 14-unit townhome development in South Statesville following an evidentiary hearing on a special use permit.

The project, proposed by Hedley Homes, will be built at the intersection of Caldwell Street, Winston Avenue, and South Meeting Street. The townhomes are expected to be priced in the mid-$200,000 range.

City Council approved the development after hearing testimony related to the special use permit, which allowed the developer to apply directly to council rather than seeking a conditional-use permit. A conditional-use permit would have required review by the Planning Board before coming to council. Attorney Lisa Valdez, representing Hedley Homes, told council the process followed city protocols and noted that rezoning was not part of the request.

During the hearing, Statesville Housing Authority Director Darbah Skaf expressed concerns about the project’s impact on future economic development in the area, saying the townhomes could be detrimental to long-term development efforts.

Valdez disputed that claim, and appraiser Michael Berkowitz testified that his analysis showed the development would not negatively affect surrounding property values.

After closing the evidentiary hearing, council member Trey Robertson made a motion to approve the request. The motion passed unanimously, clearing the way for the townhome development to move forward.