CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY WITH

from Northwest Observer / June 15 - 28, 2023

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During a special called meeting on June 8, Oak Ridge Town Council members discussed options for specific shrubs and flowers to plant around the historic Redmon house, as part of the structure’s renovation and transition to the Farmhouse Community Center. Members agreed the landscaping plan created by design firm Hill Studio did not incorporate enough of the varieties that tenant farmers living in the circa 1930s house would have grown, such as azaleas (shown in photo) and peonies, and that the plantings should leave enough room around the house for new varieties to be added later, as tenant farmers would have done.

Earlier this year, Couch, the owner of Summerfield Farms, sought the support of state Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger in de-annexing his property. Twice since last year, the council has denied Couch’s request for an amendment to Summerfield’s development rules that would accommodate his plan to build the town’s first apartments.

Berger urged the two sides to negotiate to end their impasse over higher-density housing. In an interview earlier this week, Sessoms said he recently wrote a letter to Berger, telling him the town is willing to continue talking with Couch’s team.

In his correspondence to Summerfield, Couch has questioned the seriousness of town leaders in negotiations, according to Sessoms. He explained the council doesn’t have the authority to concede to the developer’s requests without bringing them before town staff, the Planning Board and the council in settings that give the public an opportunity to share their viewpoints.

As an illustration, the mayor said, “we can’t say we’ll approve 400 apartments. It has to go through the process. We cannot take that process away from the public.”

Town leaders are uncertain when the General Assembly plans to adjourn this summer, a decision influenced by the wishes of Berger, a Rockingham County Republican who represents Summerfield in the Senate’s District 26.