A Laurinburg landowner hoping to turn a profit on a 40-acre tract of land is one step closer to subdividing his property for 86 patio-style homes.

The Laurinburg Planning and Zoning Board voted 6-to-1 in favor of recommending city council to approve a change in zoning from Residential-15 and General Business for the property on Emily Drive to Residential-6 and a conditional use permit that would subdivide the property into 86 lots for homes.

The decision was made in front of two dozen people at the board's Tuesday night meeting, with over half those present being opposed to the proposed subdivision.

This is the second time the project has come before the board, with the initial plan for townhouses denied by the board.

Donald Barringer, property owner, touted the proposal as an economic engine for the county.

"This project will have a substantial impact on Scotland County," he said.

He estimated the project would provide jobs for 100 construction workers and 20 contractors over eight years while building materials for 150,000 square feet of housing would be purchased for the project which he plans to buy from local stores when feasible.

The subdivision would also generate money for the city, with an estimated $250,000 from utility revenue a year after its completion and another $344,000 in fees for hooking the houses up to city water and sewer, according to Barringer. There would also be $11 million in additional tax base for Scotland County, or $160,000 in additional local tax revenues.

With an unemployment rate of 16.5 percent, the second highest in the state, Barringer said Laurinburg and Scotland County would be ill-advised to pass up the project.

The property owner said sales of the homes were virtually guaranteed as patio-styled houses are in high demand, especially among retirees and single people.

His vision for the property is something akin to The Colony, a subdivision of patio-styled homes with a homeowner's association, strict covenants and yard maintenance.

Melinda Pate, secretary for the The Colony's homeowner's association and local realtor, said her housing in her neighborhood is in high demand.

She waited five years to get a home in the subdivision, closing on her home within hours of it being put on the market. She said at least two others that she knows are waiting for space to open up.

Pate attested to her neighborhood being quiet, having low traffic and a good atmosphere. She said covenants on the land keep people from creating eyesores and keeps the neighborhood looking attractive while landscaping provided by the homeowner's association keeps everyone's yard well maintained.

"I wouldn't want to move for anything."

Ryan Stevenson, a road engineer, said the traffic impact from the subdivision is within the confines of the current capacity on area roads. The subdivision is in a grouping of neighborhoods that has only three possible entrances and exits, with two roads coming out on Turnpike Road and one coming out on an access road for U.S. 401.

Stevenson said the study found that, during the busiest time of day, the addition of the subdivision could add an extra car every minute entering the neighborhood through Emily Drive and one car every two minutes leaving, or about 90 cars an hour. This addition would practically double the traffic on the road.

"The study found that there was adequate capacity on surrounding roadways," Stevenson said.

Several residents of College Park, an adjacent subdivision, voiced their concerns on the proposal.

Richard Boles said the same yield of houses could be reached with the current zoning, but with larger yards for the houses which he felt was more consistent with surrounding neighborhoods.

He thought the homes in his neighborhood were just as marketable, with only four or five of the 78 houses currently for sale.

Paul Morrow expressed concern about the current plans for subdividing as three of the homes would be built on top of an earthen dam.

Frank Gordon told board members the abrupt clearing of the trees has already opened up the neighborhood to a view of U.S. 401 along with all the road noise, something he felt was detrimental to the neighborhood.

The Laurinburg City Council will vote Tuesday on setting a public hearing on the matter, which would be set for April 20 at 7 p.m. in the city Municipal Building.