The Sanford-Lee County Technical Review Committee will look at plans this month for several new housing projects that would account for more than 800 new homes if approved and constructed.
The agenda for the next TRC meeting on Feb. 23 contains five subdivision proposals of various types totaling 815 homes, as well as various other industrial and commercial projects. The TRC is comprised of local officials from various city and county government entities representing Sanford, Lee County and Broadway, and meets monthly to review commercial proposals and major subdivisions for compliance with the codes and policies of various public service providers. Committee approval does not guarantee that projects submitted for review will be developed — only that they fall under compliance.
The largest of the subdivision proposals is Brookshire, rezoning for which was approved by Sanford city government in 2021 and would be home to 391 houses and townhomes on 168 acres, as well as commercial space.

The next largest is Elizabeth Landing near the intersection of Carbonton and Petty roads. Elizabeth Landing would be comprised of 188 townhomes on 27.4 acres if constructed.

Another proposed mixed use development would add 136 townhomes and detached homes on 32 acres bounded by Frazier Drive to the south, Main Street to the north, and Kendale Drive to the east. Identified as the Lemon Springs Mixed Use Development on the TRC agenda, the proposal also calls for the three story commercial building off of Main Street “with space for a restaurant, office space and a taproom.” The proposal would re-route West Raleigh Street, currently Sanford’s longest unpaved city street, through the center of the development. The TRC agenda notes that the plots “must be rezoned to be developed in the manner proposed.”

Another proposal calls for 67 townhomes on 7.12 acres at the intersection of Firetower Road and West Garden Street.

Finally, Phase 3 of Willowbrook Farms calls for 33 detached homes on 30.28 acres off Longstreet Road outside Broadway.

The agenda for the Feb. 23 meeting also includes looks at a second phase at Bharat Forge’s manufacturing facility off Colon Road, a mini-storage facility on Hawkins Avenue across from Lee Memory Gardens, and the division of a commercial lot south of the Wilkinson Cadillac facility on N.C. 87 into three parcels, one of which is proposed to house a Woodspring Suites hotel.
I really appreciate the effort that is put into these articles about proposed developments. Has there been any discussion about how this growth will impact our school system?
Emily, there has been discussion. It is mention in the article posted yesterday.
https://rantnc.com/2023/02/13/school-board-to-begin-capital-improvement-process/
I returned to Sanford a little over a year ago after retiring from work here in 2016. I have found the Rant to be my main source of local news and happenings. Thanks for your efforts to keep citizens informed. With that said, I thank you for this article helping me to grasp the huge growth going on in the Sanford/Lee area. It is astounding! Keep up the good work!
The roads and infrastructure of Lee co need to be addressed before we just keep building mor homes and apartments. The water, sewer ,roads and fire depts are not capable to keep up with demand.
I have lived in Sanford, 61 years…..you come in and create problems and leave….with your money…..NO INFRASTRUCTURE……No roads…..Hello …..NO SCHOOLS……Hello…..
Longer BUS ROUTES……watching BUSES ON THE ROAD AT 5:00 p.m………….
I wish the commissioners would take a look at these neighborhoods. The homesites are small and do not have room for adequate driveways. Autos are parked on streets blocking ease of access. A fire engine or ambulance in some instances could not get thru.
Developers should be required to provide adequate parking. Or the commissioners should ban parking in the streets.
Like many others in Lee County, it’s all about the money. But there is little to no work on infrastructure except talk. While talk goes on building continues and the hole is jus getting bigger and deeper!
Is anyone reviewing the water availability? Chatham county has a lawsuit because of the chemicals in the water coming from Greensboro. Does Lee County even test for PFAS regularly or publish the results? The EPA is requiring that now. Water =LIFE