July 18 - Aug. 14, 2024
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since November1996
IN THIS ISSUE
www.nwobserver.com
What’s next after Summerfield de-annexation?
Major road improvements in Oak Ridge delayed, again........... 2
The Town Council said it’s exploring options after the loss of nearly 1,000 acres, while landowner David Couch strikes a conciliatory note
Bandera, A&Y, water system left unresolved in budget............... 3
by CHRIS BURRITT
Your Questions...................................... 4 Stokesdale takes a pass on the bypass................................... 5 Stokesdale Town Council July 11 meeting highlights.......................... 6 Summerfield swirling.......................... 10 Rezoning advances business development in Oak Ridge........ 16 NWO on the go!.................................. 19 Oak Ridge Town Council July 11 meeting highlights........................ 26 Community Calendar...................... 28 Crime/Incident Report......................30 Faith and community sustain family through trials of cancer................32 Pop Warner comes to Stokesdale Parks & Rec......................................34
SUMMERFIELD – Developer David Couch has scored a victory, convincing state lawmakers last month to de-annex his nearly 1,000 acres spanning a wide swath of wooded farmland. He plans to develop the land for a mix of commercial and residential use that will offer about 4,000 homes – including Summerfield’s first apartments – in a variety of price ranges. The legislature’s move puts Couch’s property, anchored by Summerfield Farms, under the jurisdiction of Guilford County and its less-restrictive development rules. Among his options, Couch could seek the
Grins and Gripes.................................40 Classifieds............................................43 Index of Advertisers............................ 47
In addition, Greensboro may be a possible source of water and sewer services for his residential-commercial development, called the Villages of Summerfield Farms. In the three weeks since a final vote by the state House of Representatives cemented what state Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-District 61) called the biggest de-annexation in North Carolina’s history, the Town Council issued a statement
...continued on p. 12
Debate over ABC store persists Council votes against taking next step toward an ABC store, but the topic is likely to resurface at next month’s meeting by PATTI STOKES
NWO Kids’ Korner................................36
annexation of his property by the city of Greensboro, which also imposes less-stringent development regulations than Summerfield.
STOKESDALE – It’s been almost 15 years since Stokesdale citizens voted to approve locating an ABC store within the town’s limits. Following the November 2009 election in which 420 citizens voted for an ABC store and 274 voted against it, the Triad ABC Board and the Greensboro ABC Board were each approached. Both of the boards ultimately declined to work with the town at that time, however, citing economic conditions and potential changes to ABC boards that the state legislature was considering.
The issue was tabled until March 2017, when the town council voted 3-2 to invite the Greensboro ABC Board to locate an ABC store in Stokesdale. After a review and identifying a possible location for the store, the ABC Board took a step back three months later, and the issue was tabled once again. The topic came to the forefront for the third time at the council’s June 13 meeting, when Councilman Jim Rigsbee invited the Greensboro ABC Board’s general manager, Niegel Sullivan, to attend and speak with the council about operating an ABC store in Stokesdale. Sullivan told the council the ABC Board prefers to build, rather than lease space for its stores, and it takes two to three years from the time a suitable site is identified until a store is constructed and open for business.
...continued on p. 42