Chatham County, NC - File #: 26-0528

• File #: 26-0528
• Version: 1
• Type: Agenda Item
• Status: Board Priorities
• File created: 9/4/2026
• In control: Planning
• On agenda: 9/21/2026
• Title: Vote to approve a request by Mark Ashness on behalf of Meritage Homes for subdivision First Plat review and approval of Whispering Creek, consisting of 238 lots on 288.6 acres, located off Bynum Ridge Rd (SR-1711), parcel 3025
• Indexes: Comp Plan Goal 10: Foster a healthy community., Comp Plan Goal 4: Diversify the tax base and generate more high-quality, in-county jobs to reduce dependence on residential property taxes, create economic opportunity and reduce out-commuting., Comp Plan Goal 6: Provide recreational opportunities and access to open space.

Title
Vote to approve a request by Mark Ashness on behalf of Meritage Homes for subdivision First Plat review and approval of Whispering Creek, consisting of 238 lots on 288.6 acres, located off Bynum Ridge Rd (SR-1711), parcel 3025

Abstract
Introduction & Background:
Zoning: R-1
Water System: Public
Sewer System: Proposed Private Wastewater Treatment Plant
Subject to 100-year flood: Floodable Areas on Property
General Information: The subdivision process is a four (4) step process: Concept Plan, First Plat, Construction Plan, and Final Plat. The applicant has completed the community meeting and the Concept Plan review. This is a conservation subdivision and lot sizes and setbacks vary, but the method to calculate net density is outlined in the Subdivision Regulation, Section 5.2 C (4) (a) “During a First Plat review, the first Planning Board meeting shall include a Public Hearing to receive comment on the proposed subdivision.” Item (b) states “Following the Public Hearing, the Planning Board shall review the proposal, staff recommendation and public comments and indicate their recommendation for approval, disapproval or approval subject to modifications. If the Board recommends disapproval or approval subject to modifications, the necessary reasons or modifications will be specified in the minutes of the meeting.”

Discussion & Analysis: The request is for First Plat review and recommendation of Whispering Creek, consisting of 238 lots on 288.6 acres, located off Bynum Ridge Road, S.R. 1711.

Section 7.7 of the Subdivision Regulations, Conservation Subdivision – Alternative Standards for Development states in part “As an alternative to conventional layouts, Chatham County encourages the preservation of large, contiguous blocks of land…When a project voluntarily preserves Conservation Space in accordance with this Section, a project can increase the number of units that would be allowed on the overall property by ten (10) percent. Calculations of the densit...