HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0926• Permitted commercial uses with the exception of personal service and retail
operations.
• Permitted educational and institutional, excluding the following: ambulance
services, cemeteries, churches, synagogues, and other associated activities;
hospitals, libraries, and post offices.
*s*s*
Steve Issak (proponent), a resident of Island Ford Road in Statesville, NC, said he
understood some people were concerned about the possibility of the property being used to
assist developmentally disabled people. He said the residential properties near the site were
on a major thoroughfare, and there was a cement company across the street. Issak said there
were only about a dozen homes in the immediate vicinity, and roadway access to the former
school site didn't require entering into the residential area. Mr. Issak said there seemed to be
safety concerns by the residents, but there were no published reports on the correlation
between community safety and the developmentally disabled. He said there were published
reports; however, on behalf of developmentally disabled individuals and their risk of being
taken advantage of or being exploited. Mr. Issak said that due to the lack of mental health
fimding, it was important for communities to do as much as they could for individuals
requiring assistance, especially the developmentally disadvantaged. He encouraged the board
to approve the rezoning because the intended usage appeared to be a "good fit" for the former
school site.
Edward Crew (opponent), an adjoining property owner, said he wanted to talk about
the residents living behind the school. He said the former school property owners did not have
access to the highway without accessing Old Warren Drive. Mr. Crew said he was
representing Mrs. Mary Warren, Randy and Mona James, Mrs. Walker and her son Phil, along
with Greg and Stacy Mason. He said their property was behind the school in a private setting,
and they weren't so much against the development, as they were against the total development
of such a large acreage. Crew said at the planning board meeting, it was stated the North
Carolina Support Services intended to use the facility. He said now, it had been divulged that
Kent Development, owner of the site, intended to use it for 7 to 15 clients who might be
referred from Crossroads Behavioral Healthcare. Mr. Crew asked why such a large facility
was needed for 7 to 15 clients. He said that if the request were for a one -acre tract and a small
building there wouldn't be any concerns. Mr. Crew said the residents were concerned the
intended use would (1) degrade their property values (2) increase traffic and (3) they had
concerns about Crossroads, which was supported by tax dollars, referring clients to a for-
profit organization. Crew said he had heard the owners intended to lease the auditorium and
gymnasium areas, and this also concerned the residents. In addition, Mr. Crew said
demolition was occurring at the site, along with the removal of trees and shrubs, and a check
with the county's inspections department revealed that no permit had been issued. Crew said
door and window casings along with tile had been removed, and it was presumptuous on the
owner's part to feel the rezoning would be approved. Mr. Crew said a better fit for the site
would be a new fire department or even a new school facility. He encouraged the board
members not to approve the rezoning until it was fully revealed how the usages would impact
the residents' property, their security, the future development in the area, and the needs of the
county and the school system.
Larry Craven (proponent) said Kent Development was the purchaser of the property,
and it owned North Carolina Support Services, his employer. He said Support Services would
lease approximately 1,700 sq. ft. of space (office for receptionist and two classrooms).
Craven said Kent Development, investment wise, planned to find the highest and best use of
the property, and the other spaces in the building were being prepared for leases to other
businesses.
Commissioner Williams asked if Support Services contracted with Crossroads.
Craven said yes, since 2003. He said Support Services was based in Salisbury, and
there were no contracts with Piedmont, the local mental health managing entity in Rowan
County. He said this was primarily why they were relocating to Statesville.
Commissioner Johnson referred to the planning board minutes that indicated Mr.
Craven had said there were no plans for residential uses, but they didn't want to eliminate that