Mebane’s planning board has given its stamp of approval to a new townhouse development off Bowman Road in western Orange County.
The proposed development would have 89 townhouses which are aimed at providing “workforce housing”; the expected price point for the townhouses is $300,000 to $400,000.
Developers are targeting the average income of Orange County households, $108,500, believing that the homeowners buying their houses will be between 80 to 120 percent of that average, i.e., $86,800 to $130,200. The income average was taken by using Orange County incomes.
The 12-acre site is immediately behind the Morinaga candy factory along I-85/40 and another townhouse development Meadowstone, of 55 units, which is along Bowman Road.
According to the developer’s presentation, all homes will have a covered front porch/alcove; projecting eaves; a front facade with a mix of building materials to include minimal maintenance siding, masonry, stone, or board and batten; a garage (all examples shown were one-car garages). The row of townhouses within each building will have rooflines with varying features, such as gables, dormers, and height variations.
The planning board was unanimous, 7-0, in recommending the project. The city council is expected to take up the rezoning request at its March 4 meeting.
