Church Street development back on the Monroe City Council agenda

Last month, the Monroe City Council tabled a rezone that would bring 122 new traditional single-family homes to Church Street on property between Carver Middle School and the proposed new Browns Hill Baptist Church and the American Red Cross . The development, named Charleston Manor, would need a rezone from Planned Commercial to Planned Residential Development, in order to proceed. The some 43-acre-property has stood vacant since it was foreclosed on in 2006. According to the application, the development as residential homes would raise the value of the property by about $1.1 million to $4.3 million. The plan is to build the 122 single family homes that would have a starting sale price of about $210,000. There also would be a clubhouse with a pool, a pickleball court, a half basketball court, and a playground as well as ample greenspace. The sticking point for the council last month was that although a homeowners association and covenants were proposed, none were prepared. Councilman David Dickinson asked that it be tabled until those were established and could be viewed by the council before taking the vote. The also wanted a little more detail on the actual construction of the homes.

“What we are trying to do in Monroe is foster quality development for citizens who are here and citizens who are coming,” Dicksonson said. “Sometimes what ends up being build doesn’t end up being what we saw.”

The amended application that will be up for discussion Tuesday contains detailed conceptual plans and design features of the homes as well as expansive prepared covenants for the development.

The January 2019 work session of the Monroe City Council will be at 6 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2019 in Council Chambers of the Monroe City Hall, N. Broad Street. The public is invited to attend. The full agenda follows.

1.     Roll Call

2.     City Administrator Update

3.     Central Services Update

II.   COMMITTEE INFORMATION

1.     Finance

a.     Monthly Finance Report

b.     Customer Service & Drive-Thru Renovations 

2.     Airport

a.     Monthly Airport Report

3.     Public Works

a.     Monthly Solid Waste Report

b.     Monthly Streets & Transportation Report

4.     Utilities

a.     Monthly Electric & Telecom Report

b.     Monthly Water, Sewer, Gas, & Stormwater Report

5.     Public Safety 

a.     Monthly Fire Report

b.     Monthly Police Report

6.     Planning & Code

a.     Monthly Code Report

7.     Economic Development

a.     Monthly Economic Development Report

III. ITEMS OF DISCUSSION

1.     Rezone – 1600 East Church Street

2.     1^st Reading – Historic Preservation Commission Membership Ordinance Amendment

3.     1^st Reading – Performance and Maintenance Bonds Ordinance Amendment

4.     Resolution – Open Records Officer

5.     Approval – Election Qualifying Fees

IV. ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION

1.     Election of Vice-Mayor

2.     Appointment – Council Representative to DDA