Before the land can even be developed as an apartment complex the rezoning request must pass city council and the developer would then have to come back before the planning board and then city council with plans under a conditional use permit request that requires a public hearing under a quasi-judicial setting.

There was some confusion among speakers this evening on the purpose of the public hearing, which was solely for the rezoning request from MaSuki Incorporated of Camden.

The developers of the project could not attend the meeting this evening but Ellen Heaton, who is listing the property, spoke. She was recused from her role as a planning board member so she could speak about the development without prejudice and not vote on the matter.

Heaton told the planning board the developer approached her about buying the property.

She said the company has done similar projects in North Carolina and also does commercial and upscale residential homes.

There is a need for these apartments in Roanoke Rapids, especially with the coming of executives for the Klaussner project in Enfield who stay to train employees and then go back to Germany. “We don’t have anything upscale,” Heaton said. “I feel it would help the community a lot. These are not tax credit or Section 8 housing.”

Should the apartments be built, they would consist of 250 units with a clubhouse and exercise room, business center, pool, social area and theater room.

They would include storage and garages for tenants as well as a pet park, walking trails and a playground area for children.

The complex would include storage for boats and recreational vehicles.

The early plans are for a three-story building of brick or stone.

Heaton said the developer is willing to meet with the members of the Cross Creek community before the rezoning request goes to city council next month.

She said she believes the apartments could spur the continuation of development in the community and keep it at the same standard it is.

The developer, Heaton said, as well as herself see a need for this type of project. These would be for people of upper income like doctors and executives who don’t want to buy or do upkeep themselves. “We just don’t have that.”

The apartments would be suitable for young executives who are in training and know they will have to be transferred later in their career, Heaton said this evening.

Planning Board Chairman Gregory Browning explained before several people began to speak, that the public hearing was solely on the rezoning request and not the project itself.

Phillip Moncure, who owns land in Cross Creek, told the planning board, “It’s going to impact the value of my home. Fairfield Apartments were once some of the nicest apartments in the city. Now you see the police sitting out there. What’s going to happen in the future? I would rather have someone who has ownership.”

Donald Vincent, who lives in Cross Creek said, “It sounds like to me they’re going to have a little mini city inside of single family dwellings. I’ve seen sheriffs sitting at Fairfield.”

Vincent said the project was simply about money. “The city wants the tax base. Don’t let everything that glitters control you. You’ve already done that with that white elephant out there,” he said, referring to the theater.

Mabel Jeffries was one of the first people to move to Cross Creek, she told the planning board. “I paid a lot of money to purchase my property. I don’t want my value to go down or Roanoke Rapids is going to buy it.”