The Troy Planning Commission passed final approval for a new 29-home development “Carolina Pines” to be located off Trojan Parkway.

The subdivision would be near the end of the road, one of two roads created in the “Enzor Road Connector Project” completed in 2016, near the intersection with Enzor.

Walt Stell, representing Stone Martin Builders, said the development would have homes of 1,900 square feet to more than 2,000 square feet and would be primarily three- and four-bedroom homes.

“With the industry coming to town, there’s a need for new housing,” Stell said, referring to recent industries recruited and expanding in Pike County, including Kimber Manufacturing, Rex Lumber, Lockheed Martin and Conecuh Ridge Distillery.

Stell said the hope is that these homes specifically meet the needs of young professionals and families seeking homes in the area. “Some of these people coming have chosen to live in Dothan and Montgomery partly because there aren’t enough homes,” Stell said.

The commission maintained that there be a 25-foot buffer of trees between Enzor Road and the homes backing toward the roadway. The buffer would actually be owned by the homeowner’s association and could not be cleared at any time.

Stell said further plans could be developed that would bring a total of 116 homes to the development.

The commission also denied the division of a property at Army Aviation Federal Credit Union at 651 Elba Highway.

Council President Marcus Paramore, who also serves on the planning commission, commented his concerns about drainage in the area.

“There have been serious storm drainage issues since the nursing home filled the parking lot,” Paramore said. “The area has been flooded several times at the Country Club and the properties around there. I just don’t see anything good coming from doing anything on this property right now.”

Susan Rogers, resident at an adjacent property, brought concerns about the property being used commercially, citing concerns about noise and disturbances, change to property values and aesthetics. The commission informed her, however, that the property is already zoned for commercial and that the request did not affect it’s zoning.

Paramore ultimately moved to deny the request and the commission unanimously agreed with the decision.

The commission also approved the recommendation for Greg Herring’s property on Elm Street to be annexed into the city. Herring said he has been involved in many different areas in the city since he came in the past two years and would like to have the opportunity to vote in municipal elections as well.