UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Thousands have moved to Union County over the last several years. In the last 6 years, nearly 29,000 people have moved there. As of April 1, 2020, census data says 239,688 people lived in Union County. By July 1, 2025, that number jumped to 268,636.
TRAFFIC CONCERNS
Stan Efird moved to Wesley Chapel in 1984 when the area was mostly country. He said over last 40 years, the area has changed. He pointed to the intersection next to his home at Wesley Chapel and Potter Roads. It used to have one stop sign.
“It went to a 3 way stop and then it went to… they actually put up lights up a couple of years ago… which confused us a little bit because we knew the traffic circle was coming,” said Efird.
The roundabout opened in September, intended to ease congestion at the intersection. Efird has since documented the backups its caused in front of his home during the morning and evening rush hours.
Channel 9’s Gina Esposito asked, “Overall, would you consider this roundabout to be a success or a failure?”
Efird said the roundabout has made the area safer. Still, he blames NCDOT for not considering that it might make traffic worse during peak hours.
“I think they are taking a basic approach. I’m not sure just if it’s the best approach,” said Efird.
Efird and another neighbor told Esposito that a solution to the traffic troubles at the roundabout could start at another intersection nearby. Drivers at Wesley Chapel and Weddington Roads can turn left or go straight, but there is no dedicated right turn lane. Neighbors think there should be one.
NCDOT told Esposito the traffic back-ups were due to a programming issue with signals at the Weddington Road intersection. They’ve since adjusted the timing and say they haven’t gotten any more complaints.
PRESERVING FARMLAND
Esposito spoke with Brian Helms, Vice Chair of Union County’s Board of Commissioners. He’s heard all the frustration over the county’s growing pains.
“By far, our number one issue is growth,” said Helms.
Esposito asked him if he’s happy with how things are currently going. He replied, “Yes. If you’d asked me five years ago, then I would have said no.”
Helms said Union County is 13th in the nation for loss of open space, meaning its lost farmland. He said its a big deal for the once rural community and why the county has been working to make responsible land use decisions. He said the county formed a Land Conservation Easement Program. The programs goal’s are to permanently protect high-quality farmland and open space, and conserve Union County’s rural character and agricultural heritage. It also aims to reduce land use conflicts between agriculture and other development and promote long-term land stewardship and environmental sustainability.
“...the property owner would still own the property, but it can only be used for agricultural type purposes,” said Helms.
“We’re also developing a Rural Land Use Plan...,” said Helms, “...which would essentially give us strategies, strategies for land conservation, promotion of agriculture and some other things there that we think would be beneficial for us in the future.”
Helms said the county is currently collecting public input and they hope to have a plan in place sometime in the new few months. The next meeting is scheduled for November 25th at 11:30 a.m.
Helms said Union County is also trying to diversify its growth. He said 90% of the county is residential, meaning the majority of taxes are from homeowners.
“I would make the argument that right now we need to try to level those ratios out. Where we need to be is about 60% to 70% residential and 40% to 30% everything else,” said Helms. “We are working diligently to try to bring in more business and other growth opportunities.”
Despite all the challenges, Helms and Efird both agreed that Union County is still a great place to live.
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