Stanfield residents concerned over plan

Tuesday, September 4, 2007 — Despite the excitement for industrial growth in Stanfield, some residents remain concerned for safety and the quietness of their country town.A land use plan was passed in Stanfield Aug. 16 incorporating more industrial areas within the town limits. The vision is to maintain positive growth in Stanfield and provide more jobs for residents.Thomas Meadors, a Nance Road resident in Stanfield, said his main concern is that the rural area in which he lives will be turned into an industrial park. “I hope they realize there are concerns and take time to secure buffers for this area,” he said.Meadors said he would like to be notified of the industrial parks that will grace the area and what buffers will be put in place in order to keep things normal for residents in that area. He is also concerned about the amount of traffic on the road as he has small children.Neighboring Meadors is Sherry Mabry who shares the same concerns. Concerned about noise, unsightliness and property values decreasing, Mabry is interested in what will be placed in that area.Mayor Pro-Tem Randy Whitley who is overseeing the land use plan said the plan serves simply as a vision for the town of Stanfield. “We want our town to look how the citizens want it to look. Without a land use plan, no municipality has a voice,” he said.“This gives us complete control over what we bring into the area, taking it from the contractors’ hands.”Whitley said that light industrial will not have any heavy trucks or will cause danger to the environment.“If we can bring industry that is environmental friendly, and obtain more jobs for citizens, it will relieve the tax burden we are faced with,” he said.“There is nothing going in on Browns Hill Road that will be hazardous.”Robert Van Geons, economic development director for Stanly County, worked heavily on the land use plan and continues to stand by the recommendation.“Browns Hill road is already an industrial area to begin with,” he said. Van Geons said that areas may be suitable all buffers and screens will have to be in place before any rezoning begins. “This is not a rezoning. The existing zoning is still in effect as of right now.”Van Geons assures that existing property owners will not be negatively impacted if and when the rezoning occurs.