Pittsboro Votes to Halt Growth, Again

The ban was introduced 18 months ago when Pittsboro's wastewater treatment plant couldn't keep up with the growth.

“In the past 18 months, we were unable to solve the problem and I don't think there was a lot of hope that we would, " town manager Bill Terry said.

The moratorium the board took up Monday night covers major subdivisions, planned unit developments and non-residential development.

Building a new wastewater plant would cost an estimated $34 million. Commissioners said they don't have that kind of money.

“I think we need to require developers to help us pay for these projects,” Commissioner Christopher Walker said.

Monday night's vote to halt growth was supported by residents who like small-town life in Pittsboro.

"Most of the people that I've spoken with just don't want to see the new growth come in. They're comfortable with the small-town setting," resident Sharon Bynum said.

If a new wastewater plant was to be built, town leaders predicted the population of Pittsboro would jump from about 2,000 to 10,000 people over the next 20 years.