SAVE OUR EAGLES!
REJECT TOLL BROTHERS
ALTERNATIVE PRIVATE WASTEWATER
TREATMENT SYSTEMS
Please sign and share our petition! https://www.change.org/NoDealWeddington
*See petition for additional information and weekly updates.
Email us at: NoDealWeddington@gmail.com
In early December 2023, a group of Aero Plantation residents decided to come together to research the impacts Toll Brothers proposed development "Deal Lake" could have on Aero Plantation as well as adjacent neighborhoods.
With the huge boom of development surrounding us, we felt it was important to take a closer look at all developments coming in close proximity to our area and to make sure any future development around us is done respectfully, responsibly and is not rushed, as to preserve Weddington's rural character.
After three months of researching two wastewater treatment systems Toll Brothers has discussed with us for "Deal Lake", we came up with the following information below for Weddington residents, prior to the community meeting.
We felt it was important to share this information now in order to give everyone time to do their own research leading up to the community meeting.
We hope this information will act as a guide for what questions or concerns you may want to convey at Toll Brothers community meeting for "Deal Lake" in April, yet to be scheduled.
What we know
The Propst/Deal farm located on HWY 84/Weddington Road, is the last remaining active farm in Weddington, North Carolina, owned and operated by the family for five generations.
Toll Brothers, a national tract home builder, is under contingent contract to purchase 5 parcels of farmland from the family, (167 acres) on HWY 84, for a proposed development “Deal Lake”, zoned as a residential conservation development (RCD). The Deal farmhouse and 15 acres of land it sits on, will not be included.
November 28, 2023: Toll Brothers held an “on-site visit” and design charrette meeting for adjacent property owners, passing out copies of their sketch plans. Adjacent neighborhoods to the proposed development are: Aero Plantation, Weddington Hills, Lake Forest Preserve, Stratford on Providence and Lochaven Estates. *Please refer to the attached sketch plan map.
Sketch plan details: “Community wastewater treatment plant/sanitary disposal field, serving 93 homes, 4-5 homes bedrooms on slab, lots averaging 15,000 sq. ft., prices $1-1.5 million dollars, 62 homes on the west side of HWY 84, adjacent to Aero Plantation, 31 homes on the east side of HWY 84, adjacent to Weddington Hills. Sketch plans note the use of grinder pumps for the sewage on some lots.
Per the sketch plan, homes will be clustered together on less than 1/3 acre lots, while half of the remaining land will be left as natural conservation space, per the RCD. *Home elevations/floor plans, including lot size, will be the same as Toll Brothers “Enclave at Baxley” and recently approved Toll Brothers "Luna" development.
The Propst/Deal farmland,167 acres, lacks sewer infrastructure and is considered "unsewered land".
Over half of Weddington homes are on conventional septic systems. The rest of Weddington is hooked into sewer.
Private wastewater (sewage) options proposed by
Toll Brothers
1.“Community wastewater treatment plant”/disperse treated wastewater effluent into leach fields, located on a sloped 10 acre field above Aero Plantation’s upper lake. The treatment plant will be housed in a structure/building on top of the ground.
2. Centralized large community septic located on a sloped 10 acre field above Aero Plantation's upper lake.
*Neither option has been approved or tested in our area and rarely used for residential in North Carolina. Per our research neither option is acceptable for Weddington.
*Deal Lake’s homeowners association and a third party operator will be responsible for management and operations of the private wastewater system and will be noted on the homebuyer's deed.
*These private wastewater treatment systems allow a developer to build higher density cluster homes on smaller lots compared to building homes on conventional septic lots, which would require one acre of land or more per home.
Bald Eagles - "Baron, Piper and eaglet Jet"
A pair of bald eagles and a newly hatched baby eaglet have been spotted in their nest on the Propst/Deal farmland, within 200 feet of the alternative wastewater system The eagles and nest have been reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Toll Brothers will need a special permit to perform work around the federally protected eagles, who have resided here since the 1960’s.
New wastewater rules, permitting and out of state systems
New rules took effect January 1,2024 allowing owners to utilize an Engineer Option Permit (EOP). An EOP allows an engineer to fast track their permitting and inspection processes, while giving them full authority to and approve all their permits and inspections. Toll Brothers stated they would be utilizing EOP. The EOP strips away all authority of the local and health state department's to oversee the permit and inspections process and places full liability on the engineer, instead of the health department. https://ehs.dph.ncdhhs.gov/oswp/docs/rules/GS-130A-336.1.pdf
New rules also allow an EOP to choose out of state wastewater systems never approved or tested in the state of North Carolina. Before the new 2024 rules, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) had a very short list of tested and approved systems to choose from.
Future development on HWY 84/Weddington Road
In addition to the 93 homes that Toll Brothers is proposing for "Deal Lake", 218 acres (the old "Woods" property) located beside Propst/Deal farm, was recently purchased by developer Mel Graham whose website states they facilitate land deals with Toll Brothers, this could mean 200+ more homes on HWY 84. That's a total of 300+ homes!
If Toll Brothers gets approved for "Deal Lake" it is reasonable to think that Mel Graham would also be approved for the same private community wastewater treatment system for his 218 acres.
Considering the land on the corner, across from Weddington's town center was also denied sewer and a pump station, it's likely this land could also get approved for a private wastewater treatment system.
All unsewered land in Weddington is at risk for development with these private wastewater treatment systems, which allow for higher density and clustering of homes. The systems are rarely used in the state of North Carolina for large residential developments.
Concerns
- The precedent it would set for other developers to be approved for private wastewater treatment neighborhoods.
- Stench from sewage system affecting nearby property values
- Look of high density on both sides of HWY 84
- EOP permit and lack of transparency
- Environmental concerns - sewage leaks getting into ground water due to malfunctioning system, as well as improperly filtered pretreated wastewater releasing pathogens, viruses and drugs flushed down the toilet, making its way into our groundwater.
- Close proximity private drinking wells
- HOA and 3rd party operator managing private sewage system
- Expensive repairs bankrupting HOA with expectation for Weddington to rescue them
- Not harmonious with Weddington’s land use plan
- Increased traffic congestion
- Increased burden on already overcrowded public schools
Our request to Toll Brothers
We have asked Toll Brothers to develop "Deal Lake" with conventional septic systems, meaning each home and yard would have their own septic system and leach field, as developing with sewer is not an option.
What is next and what you can do now
Toll Brothers community meeting for their proposed development "Deal Lake" could occur in April with a 10 day notice.
The Town of Weddington will post the 10 day notice online along with a yellow rezoning sign placed on the farmland. Check here for all town notices https://www.townofweddington.com/ .
After the community meeting, Toll Brothers will schedule a meeting with the planning board to present their plans for "Deal Lake" along with a compiled list of community meeting comments. The planning board can approve or deny their plans.
After the planning board meeting, Toll Brothers will schedule a meeting to present their plans to Weddington's town council, where they will vote to approve or deny the proposed "Deal Lake" development.
Stay connected and updated
- Facebook Group: No Deal Weddington! https://www.facebook.com/groups/nodealinweddington
- Join our Instagram @nodealinweddington and @baron_pipereagles
Some important past history
In 2008, the developer submitted a conditional use permit application for a private wastewater treatment plant for “The Woods”.
At the time, Janice Propst, co-owner of the Propst/Deal farm, was concerned about the environmental impacts and loss of property value her family land would suffer with a private wastewater treatment plant sitting next door to her farm and across the street from her home.
Janice Propst and I, along with other concerned citizens, formed a grassroots group "Friends of Weddington", to fight against the private wastewater treatment plant.
Friends of Weddington rallied the townspeople behind us, passing out fliers and creating a petition.
15 years later it seems as if history is repeating itself with the Propst/Deal farm and private wastewater treatment plant systems something the Propst and Deal families were strongly opposed to back in 2008.
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