HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0196property would be permitted on Carl Austin Road except for emergency purposes. Hobbs said that
Oil June 7, 2000, the planning board denied the request in a 5-4 vote.
Lowell Harmon one of the owners of the property, said the land had been landlocked since
the federal government obtained it in 1958 for Interstate 77.
Gaa Frye an opponent to the request, said he lived in the last house on Carl Austin Road.
He mentioned the Land Development Plan and said the board should try to adhere to this document.
He also mentioned that in the past, representatives from the auto auction said they would not
encroach into the Carl Austin Road neighborhood for anymore expansion.
Rev. R C Redmond Jr another opponent, said he had resided in the neighborhood for the
past 40 years. lie presented a petition in opposition and said it contained 54 signatures. He said the
auto auction already had 200 acres under pavement.
Attorney Bedford Cannon then spoke and said he represented the owners of the 15 acres in
Bethany Township. He said the Statesville Auto Auction wanted the property for expansion
purposes. Cannon cited the number of jobs (28 full-time and 44 part-time) that would he created
and the effect this would have on the county's economy. He also mentioned the taxes paid by the
company and how the local motels benefitted by the auction's clients. Mr. Cannon said Ile
understood the neighbors were concerned about the possibility of increased traffic on Carl Austin
Road. He said his clients had executed a deed extinguishing any easement out to Carl Austin Road.
Commissioner Fortner asked ifthere were any accesses to the auto auction from Carl Austin
Road.
Cannon said there was a cul de sac at the end of the road. He said there was a guard rail and
one gate that was bolted closed.
Ray Allison said he lived about 400 yards from the Harmon property, and he was in favor
of the rezoning.
Bill Haves, also an advocate for the rezoning, said he felt the Harmon family should be
allowed to do whatever they wanted with their property.
Lamy Hedrick a consultant for the auto auction and a past owner, gave the history of the
company. He said that last year the company grossed $1 billion. lie acknowledged, however, that
some of this went to the dealers.
No one else spoke, and Chairman Tice adjourned the public hearing.
MOTION by Commissioner Fortner to amend the Land Development Plan as it applied to
Case No. 0006-5 R-20 to HB (CUD) - Lowell E. Harmon, Ronald D. Hammon, Jacqueline H. &
Robert W. Calder Property).
VOTING: Ayes - 3; Nays - 2 (Bowles/Stewart).
Commissioner Bowles said he was concerned that some of the residents had been told in the
past that there would not be any more growth or expansion.
Hedrick said he had never told this to the neighbors.
MOTION by Commissioner Fortner to rezone Case No. 0006-5 to HB(CUD). i he
conditions being: (1) 100' Natural Vegetated Buffer to remain undisturbed along 1-77; (2) 8' high
Solid Fence, (or Chain Link Fence with Leyland Cypress trees) built along the boundary to provide
visual screening ofcommercial activity (100 screening to 8' Ht.) and to block light visibility from
the residentially zoned property; (3) No construction or commercial vehicles associated with the I Ili
use of the property will be permitted on Carl Austin Road except for emergency vehicles.