Dueling surveys seek to sway views on apartments

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – A survey conducted on behalf of landowner David Couch found that almost half of respondents would be “more open” to well-managed and maintained apartments if they could be assured that traffic congestion, school crowding and higherdensity development wouldn’t follow.

“They are not to be trusted,” countered a post earlier this week by Keep Summerfield Rural, a Facebook page that opposes Couch’s plans for transforming his 973 acres into the Villages of Summerfield Farms. A recent survey by the group found that 94% of respondents oppose apartments in Summerfield.

e dueling surveys illustrate the divisiveness between opponents and supporters of Couch’s proposal. e discord is surging again as the Town Council prepares to vote this Tuesday, Feb. 21, on the developer’s request to amend the town’s development rules to accommodate higher-density housing.