Public Hearing Draws Mixed Views on Seasons at Wilbon Development Rezoning Proposal

Developers tout green design and open space while neighbors warn of traffic and overgrowth in a proposed 222-home neighborhood at Piney Grove-Wilbon and Adcock Roads

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Holly Springs, NC, Oct. 23, 2025 — The Holly Springs Town Council on October 21 held a public hearing for Seasons at Wilbon (Document: 25-REZ-06), a proposed rezoning and development agreement that would convert approximately 81 acres at 2316 Piney Grove-Wilbon Road (Google map) from Rural Residential (RR) to Neighborhood Residential Conditional District (NR-CD).

The plan calls for 222 total homes — 142 detached and 80 attached — at a density of 2.9 units per acre, below the five units per acre allowed by right.

The applicant, D.R. Horton (website), represented by Kimley-Horn (website) and attorney John Adcock, described a mixed-use residential community with walking trails, preserved wetlands, and nine open spaces, including a central pond and public art at the corner of Adcock Road and Piney Grove-Wilbon Road.

Town Staff Outline Key Details

During the hearing, Town Planner Grayson Taylor said the project “includes a maximum of 222 total units at about 2.9 units per acre,” and that the applicant “has committed to improving Adcock Road and widening Piney Grove-Wilbon Road.

He noted that “the project is also subject to the town’s Water Resource Management Policy” and includes commitments to “constructed wetlands in lieu of wet ponds” and “a 25 percent increase in active recreation space.”

Development Review Engineer Elliot Blonshine confirmed that sewer service could be provided either through a new pump station or a gravity line connection to the Hazel Ridge Subdivision, and said the developer would fund between $2.5 million and $3 million in off-site water and sewer improvements.

Developer Emphasizes Design and Environmental Focus

Bob Zumwalt, a landscape architect with Kimley-Horn, said the 81-acre site, about 77 acres of which are developable, includes a pond, wetlands, and mature trees that helped shape the layout. The plan, he said, retains much of the existing topography and natural features, provides a mix of lot sizes, and connects open spaces through sidewalks and trails.

He noted that the proposal was reduced from 245 to 222 units following discussions with residents and town staff — an approximate 11 percent decrease in overall density. The revised plan preserves about 62 percent of the site’s specimen trees, adds roughly an acre of longleaf-pine replanting, and includes 5.4 miles of pedestrian paths that would connect with the town’s greenway network.

Kevin Dean, a traffic engineer with Kimley-Horn, said a traffic study had been coordinated with Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, and NCDOT. He noted the resulting required improvements, turn lanes, frontage widening, and fees-in-lieu for signalization are designed to “benefit existing residents along Adcock Road and set a good precedent for future projects.”

Land use attorney John Adcock described the proposal as a “low-density neighborhood residential project” at approximately three units per acre, adding that it meets or exceeds town requirements for open space and buffers. He also said the developer has agreed to fund off-site road improvements, intersection upgrades, and other infrastructure as part of the development agreement.

Residents Express Strong Concerns

During the public comment portion of the hearing, several residents voiced opposition and concern about the proposed development, focusing on its potential impacts on traffic, neighborhood character, and surrounding properties.

Multiple speakers warned that road widening along Piney Grove-Wilbon and Adcock Roads could displace existing homes, churches, and family properties that have been in the area for generations. One speaker cited the historic Piney Grove Baptist Church and nearby homes as examples of community landmarks at risk if right-of-way expansion proceeds.

Others questioned the wisdom of widening roads to address congestion, describing it as a short-term solution that invites more traffic over time. They referenced the concept of “induced demand,” warning that adding lanes may only temporarily relieve traffic before returning to previous congestion levels, while leaving the town with higher maintenance costs and increased safety risks.

Several speakers criticized what they viewed as “suburban sprawl”. They expressed concern that developments like Seasons at Wilbon would erode the area’s rural character, create car-dependent neighborhoods, and strain town infrastructure. Some questioned whether higher density should be encouraged so far from established transit or commercial centers.

Other concerns centered on growth pacing and cumulative impact. Residents noted that, when combined with nearby projects in both Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina, more than 1,600 new homes are already planned or under construction in the corridor. They argued that the area is becoming saturated and lacks adequate parkland, suggesting that the town’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) requires a public park dedication, which appears to be missing from the proposal.

While some acknowledged the developer’s efforts to adjust the plan in response to feedback, several speakers said those changes did not go far enough to reduce density or address long-term traffic issues.

A few residents said they were drawn to Holly Springs for its smaller scale and community feel. They fear that additional large developments could change that culture, increase commute times, and worsen congestion on already-busy corridors.

One Resident Speaks in Support

One speaker expressed support for the project, saying the new sewer line proposed as part of the development would help nearby property owners gain access to town utilities and eventually develop their land.

Next Steps

The Seasons at Wilbon rezoning request now moves to the Holly Springs Planning Board on October 28 for review and recommendation, with a final Town Council vote scheduled for November 18, 2025.