County to rezone land off of U.S. 52

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 — Planning Director for the Planning and Zoning Board Michael Sandy approached the Commissioners last night regarding 311.75 acres south of Albemarle behind the Lutheran Nursing Home.Sandy requested approval from the board to rezone the area from residential to heavy industrial in order to create more jobs for the public. The motion was passed after a detailed public hearing.Robert Van Geons, economic development director for Stanly County, followed Sandy in favor of the rezoning. He said it was a premiere opportunity for industrial growth.“There are no vacant or reliable industrial zones within the city limits,” he said. “Our assertion is that this rezoning is acceptable in Stanly County.”Van Geons also made known that water and sewage was already established in the area and since it does not encroach upon other properties, it is identified as appropriate.Betty Coble Lowder of Albemarle also approached the board with a statement against the proposed rezoning. With Lowder's home located close to the property to be labeled heavy industrial, she asked the commissioners how they would feel. Lowder said she didn’t understand why people should take perfectly good farm land and turn it into mechanical industry, especially if there’s such a high value on forests and farms in Stanly County.However, since buffers will be secure and farming can continue on the surrounding properties, the commissioners saw the opportunity to expand Albemarle in heavy industrial.The school board also approached the board last night with a plea for $15 million dollars to accomplish three school projects: Locust Elementary, Aquadale Elementary and East Albemarle Elementary.School Board Chairman Mitchell Edwards said that after looking at the price of Locust, it would be more cost effective and beneficial to go forth with a new school altogether, with an additional $3 million. Cost is currently at $8.4 million with few changes to the plan.“I’m an advocate for fixing up buildings but there comes a time you can’t do any more adding on,” Chairman Tony Dennis said.James Golightly and Grace Wallace of MBAJ Architecture gave a formal report to the commissioners and Bill Josey made the finance presentation last. They plan to pay the commissioners back in lottery money they receive each year. They received $1.1 million this year.Nothing was settled last night, instead commissioners will discuss issues and return to the school board at a later date.Other issues discussed were:n Kristen Sinclair from the N.C. National Heritage Program will be doing an inventory of resources that should be protected in Stanly County. This will help county officials steer growth to other areas;n Commissioners adopted Piedmont Behavioral Health’s business plan last night as presented;n Commissioners approved Donna Davis request to move $25,000 from the Utilities budget to the project budget to help fund a water extension project on Morrow Mountain Road.