We, the undersigned residents and property owners of Fire Department Rd Hope Mills NC and surrounding area respectfully submit this petition in opposition to the proposed rezoning request for the above-referenced property from A1 Agricultural to R30 Residential. Case ZON-26-0012 We believe the proposed rezoning is not in the public interest for the following reasons:

1. Increased Traffic and Public Safety Concerns

The development permitted under the proposed zoning classification is likely to create substantial increases in traffic volume, congestion, and safety risks for residents, pedestrians, school children, and emergency responders. 

• Traveling north to Hope Mills is already congested, an additional high-density neighborhood will only add to the problem.
  Increased traffic at intersections could warrant the addition of stoplights or other measures.
• If 100 houses are built on this acreage, the increase in cars on our roadways may be significant. An additional 200 cars could travel down our roadways.
• Increase in traffic could make it more difficult for our farmers to move their large farm equipment along roadways. Riddle Farms, Canady Farms and S&K Farms are all still present and currently growing crops or raising beef cattle.

2. Strain on Public Infrastructure and Services

Current roads, drainage systems, schools, utilities, and emergency services may be insufficient to support the additional demand created by the proposed rezoning and future development.

• Genx in our wells is still a prevalent issue and water lines are not yet available. 
• Could potentially put strain on the nearby school systems
• Our fire department is volunteer based, the influx of additional residents could put higher strain on our volunteers

3. Loss of farmland and disruption to habitat

The loss of farmland is a continuing concern for our area and for our state. If this is rezoned to residential the potential for farming is completely lost. The addition of homes can also disrupt wildlife, causing issues for the area such as increased deer movement and loss of habitat for important species such as pileated woodpeckers.

• Per the NC State Extension, NC is ranked #1 in farmland loss. By 2040, 1,678,100 acres of farmland will be lost to housing.