By Shavonne Potts

Salisbury Post

LANDIS — A zoning request that was brought to the board at a December meeting came with no opposition from neighbors, just a few concerns. The request was approved after a public hearing Monday.

Landis resident William “Chip” Hoell requested the rezoning of property from single-family residential to office institutional.

Hoell has already begun clearing a portion of property at 409, 411 and 415 West Ryder Ave., and wants to transform the residential structure into a real estate office.

Surrounding property is zoned for mixed use, including light manufacturing, general business and general residential.

Landis resident Nadine Cherry said she thought the zoning request was great, but was disappointed that trees and shrubs would be removed.

Cherry expressed her hope that other trees would be planted once construction was complete. She was also concerned about water running off from the construction onto her nearby property.

Another resident, Jeff Hardison, who lives across the street from the property, wanted to know the plans for the proposed business. Hoell spoke briefly of his plans.

In other business, board members:

* Approved blessing their meetings before conducting business. Alderman James Furr said he would like to see the board pray before it meets. Furr suggested local ministers, on a rotating basis, be asked to pray.

* Decided to look into the town’s current noise ordinance policy because of several complaints about a local business disturbing neighbors.

The business installs audio and stereo equipment. Neighbors who spoke at the meeting said the owner tests his equipment at night and loudly.

Mayor Mike Mahaley said he would look into the noise disturbance, but said according to the current ordinance, the owner is within the time range. The current noise ordinance is from 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

Some suggestions given were to have the owner test his audio equipment during normal business hours, which are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Approved the financing of a third and much-needed police vehicle. Police Chief Reggie Faggart said the department’s current cruisers are beyond the state-recommended 85,000 miles. The vehicles have more than 100,000 miles.

In November, the board approved the financing of two new police cars through SunTrust Bank. The cars, which will be bought from Hilbish Motor Co. in Kannapolis, will cost $50,806. These vehicles should be on the road by the end of the month.

Faggart is proposing the purchase of a sport utility vehicle at a cost of about $24,000. The bidders are Hilbish and Cloninger Ford in Salisbury. SunTrust will finance the loan at 4 percent interest.

The SUV, which would be driven by Faggart, would also be used to haul a trailer used in the capture of drunken drivers. The vehicle the chief currently drives is no longer operable. The department has to get some use out of the trailer, which was bought with government funds. The trailer can’t be hauled using a regular-sized vehicle.

Mayor Mike Mahaley said he would like to see the department receive one new cruiser a year instead of several in one year. Faggart said he agreed, but the situation was created before he became chief.

* Donated $1,000 to the South Rowan High School JROTC Drill Team to be applied toward its final $5,000 need. The drill team was chosen as one of four North Carolina teams to compete in the United States Army Eastern Regional Championships in Maryland as well as one of four teams to compete nationally in the drill championships in Florida.

* Tabled appointing members to the Planning Board in order to receive final potential candidates. There are three regular positions and one alternate that need to be filled.

Contact Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253 or spotts@salisburypost.com.