By Karissa Minn
kminn@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY ó Eastern Rowan County may be getting its own land-use plan if commissioners allow staff to begin collecting data.
The Rowan County Board of Commissioners will consider authorizing the study at 3 p.m. Monday on the second floor of the J. Newton Cohen Sr. Rowan County Administration Building.
According to a memo from County Planning Director Ed Muire, staff would create an email address where local residents can send comments or questions, as well as an online survey for feedback on draft recommendations.
ěPublic participation is an important component in drafting suggested guidelines,î Muire wrote. ěAnticipated locations for public forums during the study process will be Carson and East Rowan High Schools.î
Planning staff would ěobtain or produceî relevant land use data and maps of county and municipal zoning, housing and demographic trends, transportation and utilities and the natural environment. As needed, staff also would interview municipal, county or state representatives about issues affecting the study area.
The land use study would ěconsist of elements similarî to the land use plan created in 2009 for western Rowan County, Muire said, and development is anticipated to take 6 months or less.
In addition, the board will hold several public hearings Monday.
One concerns a rezoning request to accommodate Charles Blackwelderís proposed metal-recycling center at 11710 Bringle Ferry Road outside Salisbury. It would accept scrap metals, catalytic converters and sealed car batteries. It would not accept cars or run demolition or disassembly.
Attorney Sean Walker, agent for current owner JEMM Inc., has applied to change the zoning of the 9.51-acre parcel from rural agricultural to industrial with a conditional use district.
Another is about a rezoning request from Elizabeth Withers Smith, who wants to reopen an ice cream shop at 9010 Cool Springs Road in Woodleaf. The 1,000-square-foot commercial building on a 1-acre parcel was previously Brightnerís Corner Ice Cream Shop and is currently being used for personal storage.
Smith has applied for a rezoning from rural agricultural to commercial, business and industrial.
The board will reopen a public hearing for another rezoning from its April 4 meeting. That would allow Annie Boone-Carroll to convert a vacant 2,720-square-foot convenience store into a funeral home. The 1.06-acre property at 4725 Long Ferry Road would be rezoned from rural agricultural to commercial, business and industrial.
Another public hearing will be held for the Targeted Transit Assistance Grant. The $1 million grant would require a $55,000 match from Rowan County. It would be used for maintaining current levels of service to elderly and disabled individuals, a job access and reverse commute program and two 22-seat replacement vehicles for Rowan Express South.
Finally, commissioners will hold a public hearing for a permit to exceed noise ordinance standards for the 13th annual Rowan County Relay for Life. The event will be held on May 13 and 14 at the Rowan County Fairgrounds, 1560 Julian Road in Salisbury.
Also at the meeting, commissioners plan to:
Hear a presentation of the strategic plan for communications and the entire radio system upgrade. The strategic study was prepared by CSC Consultants for Rowan County and the city of Salisbury regarding existing and future radio needs for Rowan County.
Authorize removal of bad soil at the new satellite jail construction site.
According to a memo by County Manager Page, $245,450 is needed to remove bad soil found on the site that could cause future ěsettlingî of the building and fire lane driveway. Page said the county still would be within its total budget for the process, and no
Accept a $160,000 offer for surplus property located at 6205 Mooresville Highway after no upset bids were received.
Add Belmont Place to the state secondary road system for maintenance.
Consider budget amendments and board appointments.
Contact reporter Karissa Minn at 704-797-4222.