MEBANE, N.C. (WGHP) – A new mixed-use development with homes and a shopping center could potentially be coming to Mebane.
The proposed site is across Interstate 40-85 from where North Carolina’s first Buc-Ees will be located.
The Koury Corporation wants to build 645 apartment units, 38 townhomes and a shopping center on an 83-acre site on Trollingwood Hawfields Road at Rowland Lane and Third Street Extension.
On Monday, the city’s planning board will decide if they want to recommend the site for the proposed development for rezoning.
John Smith moved to Mebane two years ago from Winston-Salem. He said the city has grown significantly since he made the move. Smith thinks the Koury Corporation’s proposed mixed-use development would be a great addition to the city.
“I think it’s going to be phenomenal once we get to the end result of that. You have more people providing a big opportunity for Mebane to grow and continue to do what it’s been doing for the last ten, 15 years,” Smith said.
With the proposed mixed-use development’s location sitting near a Love’s travel stop and across Interstate 40-85 from the site where Buc-ees will be located, Smith says he has some concerns.
“How is that going to look before we get there? Like as far as traffic, the flow of traffic, the construction, the amount of people that will be in and out of the community. That’s going to cause a headache,” Smith said.
The Koury Corporation is requesting the rezoning of 19 properties for this proposed development. The proposal also lists recommended traffic improvements for that area.
One man who commutes from Durham to Mebane daily said traffic is also a big concern for him.
“I think it’ll be an opportunity for there to be more development in the area, more opportunity for work … but I feel like it kind of does take away from the small town vibe, and it can cause more traffic … in the Mebane area. It can just take away from the hometown feel,” said Caleb Ogunmola, who commutes to Mebane for work.
City leaders will take other developments popping up in that area into consideration before giving the proposed development a thumbs up.
If the planning board makes a recommendation on Monday night, then the rezoning request will be scheduled for a public hearing before the city council on Dec. 2.
