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<br /> Chairman Lentz allocated twenty (20) minutes to each side for comments in
<br />support of and in opposition to the proposed Cabarrus County Airport.
<br /> Mr. William Fisher, Chairman of the Cabarrus County Airport Commission,
<br />supported a general aviation airport in Cabarrus County, stating it would
<br />provide for the economic growth and industrial development of Cabarrus County.
<br />Mr. Fisher also presented for the Board's information newspaper articles
<br />regarding the general aviation airport in Person County.
<br /> The Honorable Bachman S. Brown, Jr., Mayor of the City of Kannapolis,
<br />reported that the members of the Kannapolis City Council were unanimously in
<br />support of the proposed airport in Cabarrus County. He stated the proposed
<br />airport would be a valuable tool in economic development and in attracting new
<br />businesses to the county.
<br /> Mr. Troy Day, President of the Kannapolis Chamber of Commerce, reported
<br />that 88 percent of the Chamber's members were in support of the proposed
<br />airport. He stated the new airport would help in diversifying the industrial
<br />base of Cabarrus County and would provide new job opportunities for the
<br />citizens of the county.
<br /> Mr. Branson C. Jones, Executive Vice President of the Greater Cabarrus
<br />County Economic Development Corporation, stated the proposed airport would be
<br />beneficial to the future economic development and growth of the county. He
<br />supported the proposed Poplar Tent site, stating that site was strategically
<br />located in the county.
<br /> Mr. Larry Cole opposed the proposed airport, stating the County has other
<br />priorities such as water and sewer service, the construction of the reservoir,
<br />the location of a technical school in the county, and the problems regarding
<br />overcrowding and air conditioning for the public schools in the county. He
<br />questioned the quality of the airport study and stated there was no economic
<br />justification for the proposed airport.
<br /> Ms. Stephanie Delaney spoke against the proposed Harrisburg site, stating
<br />an airport at that site would place a noise burden on the children attending
<br />Harrisburg School. She stated that the needs of water, sewer, roads, and
<br />education should be considered for the benefit of all the citizens of the
<br />county.
<br /> The Honorable Don Helms, Mayor of the Town of Harrisburg, read a resolution
<br />adopted by the Harrisburg Town Council on July 7, 1986, in opposition to the
<br />proposed Harrisburg site for the airport. Concerns addressed in th~ resolution
<br />included the safety of the schools in the area, the location of Mineral
<br />Research Corporation, noise problems, the close proximity to Mecklenburg
<br />County, and the extra burden on Harrisburg Volunteer Fire Department.
<br /> Mr. Ralph Bonds stated in his opinion that the County has its priorities
<br />backwards in regards to an airport and the water needs of the county. He asked
<br />that the BOard postpone its vote on the airport issue until after consideration
<br />of the water and sewer bond referendum and stated the approval of the airport
<br />issue would kill the water and sewer bond referendum.
<br /> Mr. Rick Montgomery, member of the citizens opposing the proposed airport,
<br />spoke against the airport and the proposed Poplar Tent, Coddle Creek, and
<br />Harrisburg sites. He stated the County should consider other priorities such
<br />as water and sewer, air conditioning and other improvements for the public
<br />schools, and the location of a technical school in the county.
<br /> Mr. Eric Linker opposed the Harrisburg, Poplar Tent, and Coddle Creek
<br />sites and stated in his opinion very little consideration had been given to
<br />the environmental impact on these three proposed areas.
<br /> Mr. Claude Dill opposed the proposed airport, stating the airport would
<br />cause relocation of homes, increase traffic problems, and jeopardize the
<br />citizens' safety.
<br /> Mr. Floyd Goodman asked to address the Board, but the time period allo-
<br />cated for comments had ended.
<br /> The motion by Commissioner Payne that the site selection and the public
<br />hearing date for the proposed airport be postponed until the first week of
<br />January failed for lack of second.
<br /> UPON MOTION of Commissioner Barnhardt, seconded by Commissioner Hamby and
<br />with a recorded vote of Commissioners Barnhardt, Hamby, and Upright voting for
<br />and Commissioner Payne and Chairman Lentz voting against, the Board moved to
<br />go ahead with the airport and that Poplar Tent be the site chosen.
<br /> UPON MOTION of Commissioner Payne, seconded by Chairman Lentz with
<br />Commissioners Hamby, Barnhardt, and Upright and Chairman Lentz voting for and
<br />Commissioner Payne voting against, the Board set the environmental assessment
<br />public hearing.for 7:00 P.M. on Monday, January 12, 1987, at new National
<br />Guard Armory if it is available on that date.
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