By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A 167-lot subdivision across from Millbridge Speedway received approval from the Rowan County Planning Board on Monday.

The development had previously been approved in 2008, just before the recession, but developers put their plans on pause. At that time, the request included 147 lots. The new proposal added 20 lots.

The Rowan County planning department say the subdivision will be known as Yorkshire Farms and will be developed by Plantation Ridge Partnership. It will be located in the 6800 block of Mooresville Road.

Assistant Planning Director Shane Stewart said the development will be a cluster subdivision, which means significant open space will be included in the neighborhood. Plans call for about 82 acres of space.

The total acreage of the site is roughly 206 acres, including the open space.

The Planning Board approved the subdivision unanimously. It’s expected to be considered by the county commissioners in September.

Two people spoke during a public hearing about the submission on Monday.

Barbara Welter, who was the first to speak, asked that people who purchase homes in the subdivision be told that Millbridge Speedway is across Mooresville Road.

Dan Mikkelson, working as a consultant for the developers, said the proposed subdivision meets all relevant requirements.

Mikkelson also spoke briefly about two proposed entrances to the development, which was a question among Planning Board members. The site plan shows one public entrance and another that would be used only in emergencies.

Planning Board member Michael Agee said he didn’t like the idea of only one public entrance.

Stewart said one problem about having two entrances would be that improvements to Mooresville Road would be needed. Those improvements would effectively result in a three-lane road for a very short stretch of the road, Stewart said.

Mikkelson said he met with representatives of the state Department of Transportation, the county fire marshal and fire chief of the local fire district. All three said a single public access would be OK, Mikkelson said.

The subdivision will be built in phases, he said. Plans include a clubhouse and a pool.

During his presentation, Stewart told Planning Board members the development would sit mostly on active farmland. A large portion of the land is considered “prime farmland” by Rowan County’s soil surveys, Stewart said.

When county commissioners consider the proposal, the developers will have to prove that there is adequate transportation to the site; the site will not detract from the character of the surrounding area; hazardous safety conditions will not result; the development will not generate significant noise, odor, glare or dust; excessive traffic or parking problems will not result; and that the use will not create significant visual impacts for adjoining properties.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.