In October 2024, a developer requested a zoning change to a 9.8-acre parcel on the North side of our neighborhood in Bessemer City from Neighborhood Residential to Urban Residential-Conditional District in order to build 41 three-story Townhomes on approximately 3.8 to 4.2 acres of the 9.8-acre parcel. This parcel is located within a 1 square mile, nearly 700 acres of properties zoned Neighborhood Residential. The City Planning Board astonishingly voted 4-2 "yes" to recommend to the City Council that the project should go forward with relief from the City's Land Development Code (no elevators and 0ft setback for the Townhomes). The Townhomes would be built directly behind two addresses on North 12th Street and the first 4 addresses on Helen Ave. The Townhomes would be the only three-story structures in our well-established, single-family neighborhood that consists of single-level, ranch style, brick/vinyl homes on 0.34 acre lots, built in the '60's, 70's, and mid '90's. The excessive population density from the development will only add to the traffic congestion on two-lane, North 12th Street, as an estimated 359 new trips/day are expected. Three of Bessemer City's four public schools are located along this 0.7ths of a mile stretch of road in the immediate area around the development. Both BC Primary and BC Central are located to the North of, and adjacent to the development. The entrance/exit for Stinger Park is also located here between the schools and the development. Bessemer City High School is located just South of the development. There are over 125 single-family homes as well as more than 190 apartments along this same 0.7ths of a mile section of roadway. The development will add strain to existing water, and sewer infrastructure. Stormwater runoff from the development is planned to be held in a large retention pond behind the development and allowed to slowly drain into an existing creek, creating the perfect habitat for mosquitoes. The three-story structures would not blend well at all with our single-level, single-family homes and appear "out of place", possibly reducing our property values in the long run. The tight roadway, alleys, and forced street parking caused by the lack of space within the development, will only detract from the open-ness of our neighborhood. After hearing numerous citizens speak against the rezoning request during the Public Hearing portion of March's City Council Meeting, the City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed zoning change April 14th, 2025. We must act quickly to obtain as many additional signatures as possible AGAINST the requested zoning change in hopes of retaining our neighborhood's quaint, simplistic charm. 

Thank You,