One of the largest residential projects in Rockingham County's recent history is moving forward.
The Rockingham County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning request for a housing development on Ellisboro Road that would bring 1,100 single-family homes to the area, WXII 12 reported. The project is known as Dalton Farm.
The vote was 3-2, and the rezoning covers nearly 500 acres near Madison, WFMY News 2 reported. The county planning board had recommended denial, with members citing traffic, safety and infrastructure concerns.
Conditions attached
The board accepted the rezoning map with two conditions, WXII reported: more amenities on the property and more open space.
The developer said his team expects to take 10 to 15 years to complete the project.
A family farm
The property has been in the Dalton family for more than 150 years, WXII reported. A member of the developer's team told commissioners, "Mr. Dalton told me that it was actually his father's wish to develop and see more people." That comment drew an outburst from several people in the audience.
Residents push back
Residents at the meeting opposed the development. Many said they don't oppose growth, but worry about public safety, traffic and whether the county can handle a project this size, according to WXII.
"You keep telling us this is good for Rockingham County, wonderful," one woman told commissioners. "Prove it, show us the numbers, show us the benefits, show us how our infrastructure and taxpayers are supposed to support this."
Commissioner Jeffrey Kallam said everyone deserved to be heard. He also raised a concern of his own.
"Me personally as a commissioner, I do not like the setbacks which you have on the structure," Kallam said, according to WXII.
Growth reaching the Triad's edges
Rockingham County sits north of Greensboro along the Virginia line. As land prices and demand rise in Guilford and Forsyth counties, more builders are looking farther out for large tracts. A 1,100-home project in a largely rural county is a sign that growth from the Triad is reaching places that haven't seen subdivisions of this size.
That growth brings pressure on roads, schools, water and sewer. Those are the same issues residents raised and the reason the planning board recommended denial.
What still has to happen
The rezoning is a key step, but not the last one. More approvals, including a detailed site plan, are still needed before construction can begin. Infrastructure plans, especially for roads and utilities, will be closely watched given the concerns raised at the meeting.
Why it matters for contractors
Eleven hundred single-family homes over 10 to 15 years is a long, steady pipeline of work. That's site work and utilities for each phase, streets and storm drainage, and house after house for framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians, HVAC, drywall, flooring and finish crews. A project like this can anchor a local trade business for a decade.
The conditions matter, too. More amenities and open space usually mean clubhouses, pools, trails and parks, which are extra jobs for commercial and landscape contractors.
The close 3-2 vote and strong local opposition are worth noting. Future approvals, including site plans and possibly infrastructure agreements, could bring more scrutiny. Builders and trades in the Greensboro area should keep an eye on the next steps and on who the developer brings in as builders.