Land-use committee won't be rushed in completing its task

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
The chairman of the committee working on a land-use study for western Rowan County is rejecting criticism from county commissioners over the slow pace.
Chris Cohen reacted Tuesday evening to comments from commissioners that the committee is taking too long.
Appointed by the Rowan County Board of Commissioners, the 11-member committee has been at work for almost a year.
“The commissioners have been in office for three and a half years. What have they done?” asked Cohen during the final workshop to gather public input.
During a meeting earlier this month, commissioners were unanimous in saying they want the committee to complete its work in time for the current Board of Commissioners to consider adoption of the plan.
Arnold Chamberlain, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, made clear they won’t tolerate any effort to delay the study until after the November election, when two commissioners are elected.
Cohen said it is about getting the study right. He said the committee is taking the job seriously and working to take views of all people in consideration in drafting a plan.
Cohen went on to say he is disappointed in the turnout at the workshops. “I would like to have had more face-to face-opinions.”
The turnout at South Rowan High School Tuesday evening was less than a meager turnout at West Rowan High School last week.
Cohen speculated that land-use planning isn’t on the top of many lists given the summer vacation season, worries over the price of gas, the economy and banks.
Cohen said he expects the committee will hold one more session before sending the completed study to the Rowan County Planning Board.
County planners and members of the steering committee set up at several different stations in the high school lobby to provide information and answer questions about different sections of the draft study
People were given survey forms to complete, expressing their support or opposition to different proposals.
Steve Poteat, one of the most conservative members of the steering committee, gave the effort an overall good grade and praised the county planning staff. He said they understand that residents need to buy into the plan. “They understand you can’t do it by coercion,” Poteat said.
The complete draft study, along with a survey form is available at http://www.co.rowan.nc.us/GOVERNMENT/Departments/PlanningDevelopment/LandUseSteering/tabid/705/Default.aspx.