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Commissioner Hedrick asked if the motion includes the change of the date requested by Commis-
sioner Murdock and the concerns addressed by the setbacks on the mountainous territory.
Commissioner Bryan said he thought as a part of the record there will be a study made of the
setbacks for the mountainous territory and changing the date on Section 80.1 to September 1, 1971.
Mr. Pope, County Attorney, recommended the commissioners adopt the three items of the county-
wide planning in separate motions.
MOTION from Commissioner Bryan to adopt the amendments to the zoning ordinance.
Chairman Sloan made comments he wished to be a part of the record. He said when considering
the issue of zoning, several questions have come to mind. One he has heard the most is, "Is this
the right time?" Honestly, I have to say I've asked myself that same question. I think some would
have you believe that this was sprung on the county at this time in order to adopt it without
attention from the public. For those who believe that, I doubt there's much I can do to change that
thinking, but for those who are asking that as a legitimate question, I would like for you to
consider the following.
As Mr. Hedrick said, this is not a new issue. I've gone back through the (newspaper) clippings
in our office, and I find articles dating back to August 1988. I'm told the process predates this
by at least one or two years. The land use plan was one of the first steps of the process, adopted
sometime prior to 1988. There have been several things that have come up during the last few
months that have prodded us into this. As someone mentioned there is a moratorium. That was not put
on lightly; there were a number of reasons that moved us in that direction. Someone mentioned SA9.
I would point out to you had a corporation such as THERMALkem come into this county and said nothing
to no one and purchased 350 acres of land, there is very little we probably could have done about
it. As bad as it may seem, we are fortunate the State's involved in this because they have set
forth some steps that we do have some input. --
So I would point out to you that this moratorium was placed in effect in March, which was well
before any announcement having to do with an incinerator, and I can assure you we did not anticipate
that announcement. I don't have a problem with the timing. I think this is part of the process that
has been ongoing for some time.
I think the next question that has been raised tonight and we have discussed it here without
our commission is, "Is there a need for zoning, and if so, how much?" I don't think I found anyone,
and I listened tonight, and I still don't believe I've heard it, that doesn't believe there is a
need for some zoning. So I don't think there is a question as to whether there is a need for it,
it's a question of how far we go. We have discussed this on a partial basis, but Mr. Hedrick
brought out something I would like to read to you. It's from the VISIONS Strategic Planning, which
was presented in 1988 to the county commissioners. One of our goals, several of you people sitting
in here were involved in that process, so I think you can relate to where I'm coming from. One of
the strategies developed by that commission was to protect our agricultural base. The strategy to
do that was to adopt a countywide zoning ordinance. Let me give you their thinking. "The task force
feels that the board of commissioners should enact a countywide zoning ordinance by 1989. Aside
from the zoning along interstate highways, only areas in central and southern Iredell County are
zoned. There is virtually no zoning in northern Iredell County and other primary agricultural areas
in this county. In order to limit the encroachment of residential development into these areas, it
is felt that zoning on a countywide basis should be implemented. As North Carolina law states that
a county zoning ordinance cannot have jurisdiction over bonafide farm operation, the task force
feels that such a move would not have a negative impact on local farm community, rather it is felt
that positive benefits would be realized as development pressures the more rural portions of the
county to be mitigated through zoning."
I guess one point I would raise that there is a lot of concern about the farming area, the
thinking by more than us has been that zoning is one way to help our agricultural areas.
I have also heard the comment, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well the idea is not to
allow it to be "broke" in the first place. And in my opinion this is one approach to do that.
VOTING ON BRYAN'S MOTION: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
The following amendments were approved by the foregoing motion:
ADD A NEW SECTION 60.5.2.8.1 TO SECTION 60, NON CONFORMANCES
A nonconforming structure may be enlarged within the boundaries
of the lot it occupied at the time it became nonconforming upon
approval by the Iredell County Board of Commissioners. Said approval
shall be considered after hearing and recommendation from the Iredell
County Planning Board based upon the following:
(1) The enlargement will not cause substantial
harm to the adjoining property owners.
(2) The enlargement will not result in traffic
increases beyond the capacity of the roads
serving said use.