Contrary to the remarks by Councilman Mike Fields in regard to Chris Smithson’s concern about the proposed Knollwood PUD, I can assure you that if Chris has concerns, the council and the citizens of Southern Pines should also have concerns.

Chris, more than any other Town Council member, does his homework and always knows more about what he is voting on than the other members.

Last year, when I challenged the town on the posting of a property, I was advised that I was in error and that the property did not have to be posted although the state law requires it. After I contacted Chris, he advised the town that the property had to be posted properly, and as a result, a new hearing on the rezoning of the property was held.

At that hearing, I advised the council that the property could not be developed as proposed due to existing covenants on the property, and yet the council approved rezoning the property to RS1 although all the other properties around it are zoned RS2 and RS3.

There is also another question that remains unanswered on the Knollwood property. This past summer, a developer announced that he had a contract to develop the property, and as far as I know, is still making that claim. The Bell family is denying that a contract exists, but someone apparently is not telling the truth and that issue should be resolved.

As Councilman Smithson has stated, what is the big hurry to approve the PUD until the issues are clarified? I might ask Councilman Fields why he is in such a big hurry to approve the PUD and why he is criticizing Smithson for doing his job the way it should be done.

Jim Crawford

Southern Pines