AG 2003 03 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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associated with the rezoning during the delivery of a PowerPoint presentataon that ancluded pictures of the Haghway 49 property, surroundang uses and other Verastar facilitaes. Mrs. Covey stated that she and her husband own and operate Verastar, an auto auction and storage facility for motor vehicles for insurance companies and financial institutions. She described the following site limitations of the Highway 49 property: (1) hilly terrain; (2) stream prohibits development of all the property; (3) limited access from Highway 49, specifically right in and right out, and (4) over six miles to the nearest interstate. Mrs Covey showed slides of surrounding property and nearby businesses that included, among others, K & C Auto Salvage, Southeastern Packaging, J. B. Hunt, Foil's, Inc., Landflll and water filled gravel p~ts. She also presented slides of Verastar facil~taes in Georgia and North Carolina and reported the Atlanta East facility is most like the one proposed for the Highway 49 sate She explained the operation of the company from the t~me vehicles are picked up by Verastar, stored on site and sold at live auction to automobile dealers. Mrs. Covey advised that the Harrlsburg facility is pro3ected to employ 12 to 15 people within one and one-half years and have an annual payroll of between $500,000.00 and $600,000.00. In addltlon, she stated the company would probably use 12 independent towing contractors and pay them about $500,000.00 annually for towing services. Mrs. Covey stated the storage of vehicles would cause no environmental concerns as most flulds have leaked out by the tame a vehicle is brought to a Verastar facility where it is placed on six inches of gravel. Further, she said there would be no dlsmantling at the s~te unless a new law is enacted that would require verification of hidden serial numbers prlor to a car being resold. Mr. James Scarbrough, Attorney representing Mryaden Pierce who owns adjoining property, asked if most of the cars at a Verastar facility have been involved in an accident or collision. Mrs. Covey advised that they had and stated that most of the cars have been determined to be total losses by the insurance company. Mr. Laurent Beaudry asked how water run-offs and the creek will be handled. He also questioned the fencing to be placed at the Highway 49 s~te. Mrs. Covey advised that the final site plan would include all necessary retalnage ponds that would be required for a building permit. She stated that fencing would completely surround the property. Mrs. Covey then responded to questions by Board me~ers. Information provided by Mrs. Covey included the following: (1) An average car will sit on a Verastar lot for 62 days unless there are extenuating circumstances when a car is in litigation or being held for evidence; (2) Atlanta South, the largest Verastar facility, has 4,500 cars with 400 to 500 cars sold each week through a revolvang process; (3) Stormwater regulataons do not apply because Verastar is an auction facility rather than a dismantling facillty; and (4) Crash wrap is used to prevent the collection of rainwater in vehicles at the facility. Mr. Carmachael stated, af the rezoning as approved, the Verstar operation would be one possible use based upon the rezoning petition. He asked that the following condltlons be placed on the rezoning petition: (1) In the event that the Site is utilized as a salvage yard, then an 8-foot tall opaque fence substantially similar to the fence depicted on Slide 72 of the Petitioner's PowerPoant presentation (which is a part of the record of proceedings) w~ll be installed around the perimeter of the Site; (2) In the event that the Site is utilized as a salvage yard, then the exterior front elevation of any supporting office facility shall be substantially samilar to the building depicted on Slide 80 of the Petitioner's PowerPoint presentation (which is a part of the record of proceedings); and (3) In the event that the Site ~s utilized as a salvage yard, then the crushing of vehicles on the Slte shall be prohibited Mr. Carmichael then introduced William P. Ferriss, a resident of Concord and commercial real estate appraiser, and questioned him regarding the Highway 49 site and the proposed rezoning. Mr. Ferrlss stated he had not been asked to do an appraisal of the site but was familiar with the Highway 49 corridor and surrounding property. He said he had seen pictures of the Verastar facilities and in his opinion the proposed Verastar facility would be highest and best use for the property and would flt in with the surrounding industrial area. Mr. Ferriss discussed the size of the property and its topography. He stated in has opinion it is unlikely that a large manufacturing facllaty would locate on the property due