Things are always pretty exciting in the Town of Summerfield because the town is deeply divided when it comes to the question of how much development should take place there.
Now, however, things are really getting interesting. The Summerfield Town Council recently voted not to renew the town manager’s contract after 12 years at the helm. The town attorney announced his resignation soon after that decision, and the town is hoping to keep a large swath of land owned by farmer and developer David Couch as part of Summerfield.
Couch has a large residential and mixed-use development planned for that land.
So this week, the Summerfield Town Council has called a special meeting for 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29 at the town hall to discuss “de-annexation notice and response; public relations firm; notice of town attorney resignation; and modifications to lobbyist contract.”
That’s a lot for one meeting that was scheduled on the fly.
One key concern is a bill introduced in the North Carolina Senate to de-annex the land in question from the town – about 1,000 acres. That’s something the town’s leaders certainly don’t want to see.
Last year, the Town Council gave Couch some of what he had been asking for to entice him not to pursue de-annexation. However, right now it’s anybody’s guess what will happen.
NC House of Representatives District 59 Rep. Jon Hardister, who’s seeking the job of NC Commissioner of Labor, told the Rhino Times that, ideally, the best outcome in matters of this type is for them to be settled locally – but Hardister added that he’s not sure how this will all play out.
Couch’s team wrote the ordinance passed last year! He got more than “some”. Last Council gave Couch high density and all the apartments he said he needed to make enough profit!
Berger has no clue. Last week Berger said houses can’t be built on 1/2 acre in Summerfield. Couch’s zoning is 3.7 units per acre for 1000 acres. Can you do math, Berger? Berger says there was no water for fire protection. Again, clueless. Town passed a multimillion dollar project for water tanks and lines (that could be used potable water later on).
Here’s math Berger gets: 1 donor equals more to him than 11,000 citizens.
Jayne, your assessment of Berger’s math is spot on. That’s why Berger doesn’t get our vote. Berger does what’s best for Berger period.
Why is Summerfield hiring a Public Relations firm? Rather than working so hard to suppress public comments they could listen to the taxpayers — citizens — at no cost. If you want to make public comments to town council you are allowed 3 minutes at nine meetings — until Dec 31, 2024. Other opportunities for public comments are only when council has decided you may speak only about a specific top — such as re-zoning.
So after your 3 minutes only 9 times for the rest of the year public comments only when legally requiredf by NCGS such as re-zoning. For years they are still unanimous to do more and more to suppress public participation… Public Participation is called democracy.
Why hire Public Relations firm to talk for the council? Will it be another consultant from out of state like the five law firms the town hired? Council continues to restrict and eliminate public comments and questions. Maybe they can’t answer your questions! They said public can send them a E-mail. They don’t know an email is not a public comment?
Why do taxpayers have to pay for public relations firm while none of our questions are allowed?
They could put their projects to referendum — like the $5 million water tower they approved — at least $1 million to build on the $2 million town property, about 16 acres, plus huge engineering firm costs and construction. Those with personal wells close by will know when the bulldozers arrive. Questions? Forbidden. Answers? None. Just trust Engineering firm that looks at Summerfield as their annuity.
Attn: All investors and builders :
I think there should be low income housing built on some of the vacant land in Summerfield.
There is a lot of nice future apartment property all over in Summerfield. This property is reasonably priced as well. Your rent is guaranteed by the federal government, so what’s the problem? There are waiting list a on all of the low income housing properties now, so there is a huge demand. Invest in this property in Summerfield and help desperate people have a home and also receive a nice return on your investment.
You live in a small town? Any of your family or friends live in one? You’re next. Towns for sale to the highest donor!
Summerfield did everything Berger and Couch wanted but they still are de-annexing. Its a game for them! This is the biggest involuntary de-annexation in NC history. Its the whole center of the place. You’ll have pass through Summerfield to get to Greensboro 2.0? And the sheep in Raleigh will follow Berger’s fiction and deceit. How does this man get re-elected.
Attention, Mr. couch
Summerfield would be an excellent area for low income housing. Think about it, you would be helping desperate, low income, less fortunate people have a home. You are guaranteed a return on your money because the rent is paid by the federal government, think about it, have a heart, and this help people that is not as fortunate as some of us.
Greensboro, jokes on you! Berger said Greensboro is going to take in this bully land baron Couch! Now you poor saps will make Couch richer by paying tens of millions to run water and sewer his land. He takes a bag of money to his Montana estate and leaves Greensboro holding the bag to pay to build and fix utilities, roads, emergency services, parks, public transport, all in the middle of Summerfield! But wait, there’s more! You get to give up your dwindling water supply too! Didn’t your bills just go up?
Pretty sure Greensboro is the loser in this disaster. Good luck!
Do not vote for incumbent!!!!!
So let Mr Couch sell his property to a junk developer. They will build one home per acre and cut all of the trees, rape the land, comply with the ordinance. You will have 1000 ugly cookie cutter homes. Is that what you want. You cannot tell any landowner, any landowner to keep their property empty and rural. Of course, you could purchase the property yourselves. Anyone going to step up? I didn’t think so. Mr. Couch will preserve the trees, streams and even the cattle. Get over it people. You really are not that special.
Attention, Mr. couch:
Summerfield would be a great area for low income housing. There’s a big demand in this area for low income housing. There are two and three year waiting list for people just to have a home. It would be a great return on your investment because your money is guaranteed from the federal government. Think about it please. You will be helping desperate people have a home who are desperate.
Attn: investors!
There are a lot of different property sites available in Summerfield. They
would be excellent for low income housing. This property is reasonably priced. If an investor would buy this property and build low income apartments, you would be providing a home for people who are desperate for a place to live and also you would get a nice return on your investment. There is a huge demand for low income housing and long waiting list all of the low income housing sites a return on your investment, so what is the problem? Please look into this and help people in need.
Summerfield or Slummerfield
The only town in NC who’s Marius office had wheels under it.