GATESVILLE – Apparently, Muddy Cross Road isn’t named that way for no reason.

At last week’s meeting, the Gates County Board of Commissioners first heard opposition from the public in regards to less than desirable soil and poor drainage before denying a request from two developers to rezone a tract of land on Muddy Cross Road for the purpose of residential development.

That request came before the commissioners from Eddie Hyman and Kim Old. They wanted to create an 8-to-16 lot major subdivision (named Pine Ridge) on Muddy Cross Road. However, in order to proceed with this project and have the land (21.20 acres) subdivided, they first needed the commissioners to agree to rezone the property from A-1 (Agricultural) to R-1 (Residential).

During the advertised public hearing, two Muddy Cross Road residents spoke in opposition to the rezoning request.

Lawrence Riddick pointed out there were a lot of drainage problems in this area of Gates County.

“The name of Muddy Cross is what it is….it’s a muddy area,” Riddick said. “You (commissioners) should review the soil survey map. There’s bad soil there, there are flooding problems and the area does not drain well.”

Riddick implored the commissioners not to approve the request.

Steve Kennedy, whose home faces NC 32 with the planned subdivision abutting his backyard, also asked the commissioners to deny the rezoning request.

“I moved here to get away from overdevelopment, plus this area just doesn’t drain very well,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy further made his point by showing photos to the commissioners of the previous flooding problems in this particular area. He stated those problems would multiply with additional development.

At the close of the public hearing, Commissioner Frank Rountree motioned to deny the rezoning request. His motion was approved without objection.