By Mark Wineka
Salisbury Post
Salisbury City Council and the Rowan County Board of Commissioners will discuss the creation of an “Airport Development Zone” Tuesday.
Commissioners have been invited to council’s meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, and the agenda sets aside time for commissioners to weigh in on the Rowan County Airport, which the county owns.
The airport was annexed into the city in 2006, and commissioners have expressed interest in cutting the city-county tax rate on the property, creating an economic development zone or even de-annexing the airport.
Rowan County is working on a development plan for the airport to extend its runway and looking for ways to bring in companies and corporate jets. Last month, the county decided to build its first corporate hangar for lease.
U.S. Rep. Howard Coble, R-N.C., announced in December that Rowan County would receive $588,000 in federal money toward buying land within a runway protection zone. Those funds go toward the $1.25 million to purchase the former Silver Eagle property.
Commissioners have expressed concern that combined city and county taxes at the airport are a deterrent to attracting more businesses and planes. The “double taxation” places the airport at a competitive disadvantage to the Statesville and Concord airports, according to commissioners.
In other agenda items Tuesday, council will:
– Hear a presentation from Piedmont Players regarding plans for a new theater on East Fisher Street where the Friendly Cue is now located.
– Hear reports from the Community Appearance Commission, Historic Preservation Commission and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on their goals for 2008-2009.
– Consider a resolution supporting Carolina Thread Trail, a regional planning effort to connect trail systems throughout 15 counties.
– Consider a grant application with the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund for the Fit Community grant.
– Consider allowing an encroachment onto the sidewalk at 120 E. Council St. Summit Developers says its facade renovation, now underway, will encroach into the public sidewalk.
The city can allow the encroachment as long as certain conditions are met.
– Consider the voluntary annexation of Wallace Commons, to be effective June 30. The proposed retail center at Julian and Klumac roads near I-85 will encompass 45.3 acres when fully developed.
– Consider adopting a background check policy for volunteers.
– Receive an update on city recycling.
– Consider an appointment to the Salisbury Planning Board.
– Recognize Melissa Hasty Taylor, director of human resources, who will be leaving the city at the end of the month to take the same position with the city of Winston-Salem.
– Consider a site plan for the building of self-storage units at 1208 Lincolnton Road.
– Proclaim Jan. 21 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 27-Feb.2 as Catholic Schools Week and January as National Mentoring Month.
Council meetings are streamed live at www.salisburync.gov/council/webcast.html and a recording of the meeting is shown later on Time Warner Cable’s ACCESS 16.