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The mayor and chairwoman of the planning board are concerned about the layout of a high-density apartment complex to be built on the Gibsonville-Elon border.

Blue Ridge Cos. is building 240 apartment units on the Elon parcel.

The Gibsonville side will have 54 apartments, two retention ponds and open space. The apartment complex will be behind Phoenix West Apartments on Cook Road.

All of the water runoff from the 19-acre complex, called The Legacy at Elon, will drain into Gibsonville town limits.

“I just feel like we were being dumped on,” Mayor Lenny Williams said at the Board of Aldermen meeting March 16.

The town could face “huge financial burdens” because of storm water management issues in light of the Jordan Lake legislation being considered by state legislators, Planning Board Chairwoman Kathy King said. Other issues include traffic problems and fire and police protection, she said.

One option is to ask Elon to annex the Gibsonville part of the property, she said.

An engineering firm that Gibsonville contracts with, Alley, Williams, Carmen & King, has reviewed the plan and found the site is in compliance with Elon and Gibsonville’s storm water regulations, said Town Manager Ben Baxley. Elon uses the same engineering firm.
“It’s one of those unfortunate situations where all of that property slopes to that Gibsonville portion,” said Town Planner Brandon Parker.

Gibsonville town ordinances do not require the developer to contact any town board. However, a technical review committee made up of town staff will have to review the apartment site plan.

Parker said the project meets town ordinances, but a question has been raised about a driveway in the plan. The private drive is used by Phoenix West Apartments residents. The town’s attorney will examine the deed to see what type of access is allowed, Parker said.

The development meets Elon’s zoning requirements. Elon’s Board of Aldermen will have a public hearing for a special use permit for The Legacy at Elon on April 6.

Contact Jamie Kennedy Jones at 449-4610 or jamie.kennedy@news-record.com