WEDDINGTON, N.C. — Residents gathered to voice their concerns about a proposed development on Monday night in Weddington.
Toll Brothers wants to build more than 60 houses, but residents are worried about erosion, stormwater, sewage, and a bald eagle nest.
The hearing started at 7 p.m. at Weddington High School. And it drew a large crowd.
Residents spoke out, wore T-shirts reading “No Deal,” and carried signs, standing firm on their stance.
The Toll Brothers submitted their first conditional zoning application in 2023. The proposal was to include 93 homes and a community wastewater treatment plant. But because of pushback, plans have been revised four time to 60 homes.
Resistance still remains. Residents like Chad Emerine, who are against the project, said they are worried about the Toll Brothers’ environmental track record.
“Toll Brothers has had issues in the town as far as stormwater, runoff, lakes being damaged in another neighborhood,” Emerine said. “We have two large lakes that this wildlife thrives on. That’s what our concerns is — that our lakes are damaged and our quality of life is damaged in our neighborhoods.”
The Toll Brothers worked to address the concerns during Monday night’s meeting. The developers said they have increased setbacks and buffers, including for the eagles. They also said they have adjusted their septic and stormwater plans and offered more erosion control measures during construction.
Channel 9′s Almiya White spoke with sellers of the property, including Anna Deal Morgan and Elise Deal, at the meeting.
“This is the legal sell of priority property,” Deal Morgan said.
Deal Morgan and Deal said it is time for the family farm to be incorporated into the suburban area of Weddington. They said they hope town officials will look at the legal side of the development, rather than the emotional side.
“An adjacent neighborhood has had the benefit of a farm for decades and they don’t want homes to be built adjacent to their neighborhood,” Deal said. “So they have done everything in their power to discredit and reject this project.”
The final vote for the zoning application will take place on May 12.
VIDEO: Some neighbors oppose proposed development because of bald eagles
©2025 Cox Media Group
