Two public hearings concerning a proposed upscale town home development in Pinehurst have been postponed until late May.

The Village Council unanimously granted the delay Tuesday afternoon during its regular meeting. The applicant, Michael Donninger, requested the delay on behalf of property owner, The Traditions of Old Town LLC.

The proposed development is bounded by Magnolia Road, McCaskill Road East and Caddell Road. The proposal includes 20 units with associated fencing, landscaping drives and arbors, signage, and a common area with gazebos and benches.

"We feel it's in our best interest to have the full council present for the hearing," Donninger told council when requesting the delay.

Mayor George Lane has missed several recent council meetings while recovering from two back surgeries. He is expected to return by May 27, the date of the rescheduled hearings.

A public hearing on a request for a major site plan for the proposed town homes and a a quasi-judicial hearing on a request for a Major Special Use approval for the project was also on the agenda.

Donninger was the only one of five individuals signed up to speak during the meeting who addressed council on the issue.

A large crowd of residents showed up for the meeting.

Concerned Citizens of Pinehurst, a community action group, opposes the project, saying the 20 town homes on 3.89 acres is too dense for the area and that they will "stick out like a sore thumb."

The development would be near the Arboretum.

Concerned Citizens bought half-page ads in the Friday and Sunday editions of The Pilot stating its opposition to the project and encouraging residents to submit comments to the group and/or attend the public hearing on the project.

The ad said the development will be "clearly incongruous with the historic district and parking spaces would be inadequate." The group said it would create traffic problems in that area because of the on-street parking. The plans call for garages on each unit but does not allow parking inside the development.

The proposed development has received a certificate of appropriateness from the Pinehurst Historic Commission. The Planning and Zoning Board approved the plan.

Contact Tom Embrey at 693-2473 or by e-mail at tembrey@ thepilot.com.