Planning Board to review property rights

Published 12:00 am Thursday, December 10, 2009

Staff report
A committee of the Rowan County Planning Board will review recommendations regarding the county’s use of eminent domain ó taking private property without the consent of the owner.
The committee, headed by Mac Butner, will meet Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Planning and Development Building, 402 N. Main Street.
The committee will consider a draft ordinance prepared by the planning department, regarding the county’s use of eminent domain.
The proposed changes would add a section to the county’s ordinances that would protect landowners from forced access to their property for development of greenways or public trails.
It would also prohibit use of eminent domain for taking private property without consent of the owner and using it for economic development.
Members of the committee include Mike Caskey, Greg Edds, Jack Fisher and Larry Wright.