Project manager Spencer Haithcote appeared at May’s Planning Commission meeting along with attorney Madison Haynes, who represents the Retreat at Whiskey Creek, as well as the Gateway Company. Up for discussion once again was the Phase 2 of the Retreat at Whiskey Creek, after an administrative meeting was held the week prior to the Planning Commission’s meeting.

The purpose of the administrative meeting was to discuss the issues with the development’s preliminary site plan, and to define what steps needed to be taken going forward. The contractor may submit a preliminary site plan to the Planning Commission for review, without seeking approval at the time of submission. Dexter Golden attended the meeting, and requested the discussion be brought to the full commission.

Most of the discussion, however, centered on the issues with Phase 1 of the project. There are 79 lots in the Phase 1, and according to Haithcote, 71 are either privately owned or being held within the company for rental units. To date, there are four houses under construction, and only one completed house. There are no paved roads, no septic, sewer, or water.

Commission member Jeff Ross, a developer himself, questioned what happened to the money. With lots selling at near $100,000, he asked what happened to the money to develop the property. ( Note: Currently on Zillow, Lot 45 is listed at $84,900, the price having been reduced from $88,900. The lot is less than 7,000 square feet, or less than 1/5th acre.) Haithcote did not respond to that question, saying he was not part of the Phase 1 development.

Access to Phase 1 is a one lane covered bridge. Cement trucks cannot cross the bridge, causing problems with getting concrete up to building sites. County fire trucks and some county service vehicles cannot cross the bridge, and so cannot service those homes appropriately.

Haithcote went on to point out that the construction crew can no longer use Inman Road to access the site, even though it had been used for commercial purposes when there was a ceramic shop behind the house there. Golden quickly countered that commercial use by cars or pickup trucks in no way compared to cement trucks or dump trucks, and that it would be dangerous for heavy equipment to use that road.

One of the few points agreed on is that Phase 2 of the development will have a 30’ wide bridge to access the property, as is required for sub division ingress/egress. The site plan for Phase 2 is lacking several items that must be included in a complete site plan. Scott Fruehauf pointed out that road elevations, drainage plans, grading plans, flood plains, easements, and public utilities need to be shown on the plan. Golden added that all requirements were in the sub division book, even giving Haithcote the page numbers of a checklist that could be used to develop the site plan.

While developer Chip Hayes has reiterated a number of times that he was not told of certain regulations, Golden pointed out that, as the developer, it was Hayes’ responsibility to find out what existing regulations were. Developer Jeff Ross agreed. Sub division ordinances have been in place in Moore County for years before Hayes started the development.

It has already been settled that approval for Phase 2 of the development will not be given until Phase 1 is 75% complete. Haithcote was not at the commission meeting seeking approval, but for discussion regarding Phase 2. Issues were identified and discussed, and the commission gave Haithcote direction on completing the site plan.