County commissioners’ plan to fast track a new billboard and sign ordinance may have suffered a setback.
The Rowan County Planning Board took its first look at the proposed ordinance Monday and promptly sent it to a committee for further study.
Some Planning Board members made clear they didn’t like what they saw, and wondered where the whole thing came from.
“Rowan County is not Salisbury,” said Joe Teeter, venting his dislike for the whole ordinance. “This is micromanaging people. That’s what this ordinance is.”
Earlier this month, county commissioners reviewed the ordinance and appeared to be in general agreement to adopt it. The county currently has no ordinance to deal with signs or billboards.
Commissioners decided to send it to the Planning Board for comment. Wanting to get the ordinance back in a hurry, commissioners sent along instructions not to hold a public hearing.
Commissioners will have to hold a hearing before adoption, and are facing a self-imposed Aug. 20 deadline.
A moratorium on billboards and signs over 10 feet tall expires on that date. Commissioners have already extended the moratorium once.
“How did we get from billboards to a complete sign ordinance?” asked Terry Hill, a member of the Planning Board.
County Planner Marion Lytle pointed at County Commissioner Arnold Chamberlain and commission Vice Chairman Gus Andrews and responded, “Those guys.”
Hill made clear he felt that, in an effort to deal with billboards on Interstate 85, the whole county will be hit hard with the proposed ordinance.
Chamberlain said commissioners directed the planning staff to put together a comprehensive ordinance dealing with all types of signs.
Vice Chairman Bill Yow reminded the board that the new ordinance is similar to what was originally drafted several years ago.
Teeter made clear he believes a property owner should be able to put any sign he wants on his property, without interference from the federal, state or county government.
Chairman John Linker had his own reservations, wondering about the proposals to deal with campaign signs.
“This is a leap from billboards,” said Linker.
Andrews cited the growth in the county and plans to expand I-85 and U.S. 70. “We need to look at the whole process,” said Andrews, adding it would be foolish not to look at the entire issue of signs.
“This has gone too far already,” responded Teeter. “It needs to slow down.”
Linker referred the matter to the committee headed by Andy Hinson.
Committee members include Dr. Ann Furr, Terry Hill, Renee Washington and Amelia Watts.
The date and time of the meeting has not been set.
Copies of the proposed sign ordinance are available at the Rowan County Planning Office at 402 N. Main St.
In other business at the Monday meeting, the board heard information or acted as follows:
- Approved rezoning of a 1.2-acre tract off Roseman Road from commercial business industrial to mobile home park.
The owner, Earl Bridges, owned an adjacent park and asked for the rezoning to expand it.
The board unanimously approved the rezoning.
One resident of the area, Susan Allen, complained about the number of mobile homes already in the area and the condition of the parks.
- Planners said they are continuing to work on the I-85 area rezoning project.
The project involves more than 10,000 acres and 2,000 parcels.
Linker said the Hinson committee will work with the planning staff.
- The Planning Board agreed to move its next meeting to July 30.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com
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