By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
A plan to create a development that will transform the Woodleaf community has won unanimous support from the Rowan County Board of Commissioners.
Randy Byerly, who grew up in Woodleaf, told commissioners Monday evening that he doesn’t plan to see the property haphazardly sold or developed.
Now living on Wildwood Drive in Salisbury, Byerly said the land has been in his family for more than five generations. Now he wants to see something that will last 100 years.
Karen Alexander, of KKA Architecture in Salisbury, laid out plans for development at the intersection of Woodleaf Road and N.C. 801.
It will utilize nearly 17 acres with access roads from both Woodleaf Road and N.C. 801. Nearly half of the property was already zoned commercial.
Initially, KKA had favored a plan that included a residential component. Due to limits on the soil’s ability to perk, developers revamped that plan.
On a motion by Commissioner Jim Sides, the board approved rezoning 8.5 acres and approved a conditional-use permit for the full 17-acre tract.
The tract will be subdivided into seven tracts ranging from 1 to 3 acres.
Byerly and Alexander mentioned a bank, doctor’s office, or accountant’s office as businesses that would be suitable.
Byerly also noted that a 200-year-old house on the property will be torn down, but remnants will be preserved on-site for historical purposes.
In other matters, the board:
– Gave final approval for the issuance of $8 million in industrial revenue bonds for DDSM Properties, the company which purchased the former Bendix building and renovated it to serve as headquarters for Power Curbers. Both companies are owned by Dyke Messinger.
The bonds are sold through the state. No county or state money is involved.
– Unanimously approved rezoning a 3.72-acre tract at 1225 Peeler Road from rural residential to commercial, business, industrial. The property owned by Joel Stofford and Nikolaos Georgiou is adjacent to a commercial zone that includes 88 acres.
– Unanimously reappointed Commissioner Tina Hall to the Rowan County Tourism Development Authority for a two-year term and Sides to the Social Services Board for a three-year term.
– Heard an update on the work of the Community Child Protection Team from Social Services Director Sandra Wilkes and Child Protective Services Director Tom Brewer.
– Approved budget amendments, including receipt of $11,230 for a grant to the Rowan Public Library to buy 11 additional computers for public use. The library will use $1,686 from memorial gifts as matching funds.
– Appointed or reappointed members to various boards, including:
Rowan County Parks and Recreation ó Frank Deal, to serve through Dec. 31, 2010;
Rowan Rescue Squad ó reappointed Frank Thomason and Mary Ponds; appointed Millie Cress. All terms are for two years.
South Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department fire commissioners ó Crystal Bost, William Webb and Robert “Bob” Keith Boles;
Salisbury-Rowan Human Relations Council ó Mary Edens;
Spencer Zoning Board of Adjustment ó reappointed James “Jim” Sain III.
Rockwell Planning Board ó Amy Allison.
Rowan County Board of Health ó extended the terms of Robert Tannehill, Mary Henley and Barbara Andrews by one year to meet state standards.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette @salisburypost.com.