Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009
By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
CHINA GROVE ó A Westside resident has called on the town to increase police presence.
Henry Cherry, a resident of the area for the past 11 years, asked the Board of Aldermen last week to have more officers patrolling the community, which has been plagued by drugs for decades.
“We want to clean up the community … get the police driving through,” Cherry said, with other community residents in the audience Tuesday night.
In addition to drugs, he said, the traffic coming through poses problems for children playing in or near the streets.
“We want to get something done. … The community needs help,” Cherry said. “This is the place to start.”
Mayor Don Bringle pledged support.
“Anything we can do to help the situation we want to do,” he said.
He asked Police Chief Hodge Coffield to meet with Cherry.
In other matters:
– Aldermen approved changes in the bylaws of the town’s Parks Advisory Board to reduce the number of members from 11to 9; make the chairman a voting member; and change the meeting date to the third Thursday of each month.
Lack of attendance has prevented the board from meeting.
Jimmie Higgins, chairman of the board, said members have identified two possible park sites, the town’s former dump and an area in the Mill Village.
He said the panel wants to work toward getting state and federal grants and will bring information back to the aldermen.
– Officials noted that renovations to the Municipal Building are scheduled from Jan. 18 through Jan. 25. The building will remain open but the work will affect the hours when utility bills can be paid.
– Richard Smith, executive director of Kannapolis-based Benchmark, introduced two planners who will work with the town.
Emily Jackson will work with the Board of Aldermen. Lauren Page will work with the Planning Board.
“You will get two planners for the price of one,” said Smith.
They will replace Lindsay Hobbs.
– Aldermen approved a voluntary annexation of 37 acres on N.C. 152 west at the request of Joe Knox Properties. The property is the second phase of the Miller’s Grant subdivision. The annexation will be effective June 30, 2008.
– Approved a text amendment to the town’s unified development ordinance to include residential fence regulations. Fences will be limited to 6.5 feet in height. The post side will face the owner’s property.
Aldermen agreed that, in some circumstances, topography will require a higher fence. Individuals could then seek a waiver.
– Aldermen rezoned a lot at 603 N. Main St. from residential town to office /institutional. The property, less than a half acre and owned by Bob Shinn, has a brick house on it currently.
Planner Emily Jackson pointed out that the property is at the intersection of N.C. 152 and North Main Street, which has businesses on two corners.
Plans call for locating a financial office in the house, installing a one-way driveway from North Main to Church Street and adding off-street parking.
Charles Freeze, a resident of nearby Salisbury Avenue, vehemently opposed the rezoning, suggesting the town was trying to take his house.
“We have no intention of taking your property,” responded Bringle.
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Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com