The Rowan County Planning Board will take the first steps Monday night toward preserving
the I-85 corridor for industrial and business development.The meeting will be entirely devoted to a
discussion of the mandate from county commissioners to preserve the area for commercial
and industrial development.
Last month commissioners made
temporary changes in the commercial business and industrial zone to eliminate residential
subdivisions.
County Manager Tim Russell said
the county must act quickly to prevent areas along I-85 from being consumed by residential
developments.
Russell warned that the county
can’t wait a year or even six months, citing increasing pressure on the corridor
including land speculation.
The county planning staff has
spent the past couple of weeks studying the area, and gathering data.
County Planner Marion Lytle will
present an overview to the board Monday night that establishes a process on how to put
together the land use plan.
The process will look at the
section of I-85 between Salisbury and China Grove, bounded on the east by Old Concord Road
and on the west by Grants Creek. Lytle said the area was chosen because it has the most
immediate economic potential and is also the most susceptible to rapid development.
“The goal is to maximize the
economic development potential of the area, concentrating on identifying high investment
industrial and commercial areas,” said Lytle.
Lytle said the staff will seek
input and direction from the planners and from commissioners at their December meeting.
By late January, planners hope to
have proposals ready to get public input. A walk-in session is likely, where property
owners, developers or the public at large can view proposals, ask questions and give
input.
“We want significant public
input,” said Lytle.
Lytle said planners want to hear
from developers, special interest groups, property owners, the Chamber of Commerce and
others.
While much of the process is
toward economic development, the overview will include a look at transportation, public
facilities and an economic analysis.
Under the current time line,
planners hope to have a proposal completed by April to go before the planning board and
commissioners.
The planning board’s role
will be to recommend a plan to the commissioners who have final authority.
n
The planning board will meet at 7
p.m. in the commissioners’ room of the Administrative Office Building at 130 West
Innes St. |
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