On a split vote, the Rowan County Planning Board has given an unfavorable recommendation to a rezoning to permit a billboard along Interstate 85.
The board voted 6 to 4 to defeat a motion by Terry Hill that would have sent the rezoning to county commissioners with a favorable vote.
It was clear that the majority of the board was sympathetic to David and Mary Moose’s effort to get 1 acre of their property rezoned. The Moose property is near Daugherty Road and I-85, where Department of Transportation officials say 18 billboards are already permitted or in place.
A maze of federal and state regulations and warnings about rezoning to allow billboards continued to befuddle the board.
Responding to a question, County Planner Marion Lytle said that if Moose asked for his entire 14-acre tract to be rezoned, it would likely be more palatable. More than 200 acres of property owned by Corriher Beef & Sausage adjacent to Moose is zoned commercial. The Moose property is zoned rural agricultural.
But Lytle said that, even if the Moose property is rezoned, billboards on adjacent property would likely preempt a billboard.
Lytle said a billboard permit has already been issued for the southern portion of Frank Tadlock’s property, just 900 feet from a billboard just south of Moose property. Without a 500-foot separation, Moose would not qualify for a billboard permit.
Tadlock, a county commissioner, is president of Corriher Beef and Sausage. Tadlock was the only commissioner not at the Planning Board meeting Monday night.
Chairman John Linker and several others who were clearly sympathetic to Moose pleaded with him to withdraw his request and ask instead for rezoning of his entire tract.
Board member Andy Hinson termed it ridiculous for the Planning Board to be dealing with “ a postage stamp” when ultimately all the land along I-85 will likely be rezoned commercial.
“If that’s the only way to get a sign,” said Moose from the audience.
Commissioner Arnold Chamberlain, a liaison to the Planning Board, interrupted to point out that commissioners will not rezone just to allow putting up a billboard.
“I don’t own a sausage company and I’m not a member of …a board, but I have a right to a sign,” responded Moose. “If I have to get a lawyer, I will.”
“There is a lot of sympathy for you on this board,” said Linker, who continued to urge Moose to withdraw and revamp his request before it reaches the commissioners. Linker pointed out that once commissioners have acted, it will be a year before Moose can resubmit the request.
Hill drew support from Greg Childs, Joe Teeter and Edwin Hammill. Voting against the motion to approve were Linker, Ann Furr, Andy Hinson, Amelia Watts, Renee Washington and Art Steinberg.
Last March commissioners approved the rezoning of tracts owned by Corriher Beef & Sausage and Jim Daugherty, both near the Moose property. In those cases, although billboards were frequently mentioned, the applicants talked about possible uses such as a skeet shooting range or some commercial structure. Four billboard permits have since been issued.
Last week, county commissioners approved a 90-day moratorium on all permits for billboards and signs taller than 10 feet. That will allow time for an overall review and possible drafting of a sign ordinance.
At one point the county had an ordinance requiring 1,000 feet of spacing between billboards on I-85. Commissioners voted that out, however, and now rely on the state regulations of 500 feet of spacing.
In other business, the board agreed to refer several projects to committees for study and recommendations. Several committee meetings will be held during the next few weeks.
Items referred to committee include new zoning classifications for I-85 between Salisbury and China Grove; regulations concerning manufacturing and mining noise; farmland preservation; a new permitting process for all types of racetracks; and a series of potential changes to the county zoning ordinance that would deal with junk cars and mobile homes.
Linker invited representatives of the Mooresville Dragway to participate in the discussions on racetracks. He also suggested that mobile-home park operators be included in discussion of ordinances dealing with mobile-home parks.
Today's News