BC 1994 12 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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282 Mr. Robert Love, resident of 13535 Bethel Avenue Extension and owner of Love Diesel Service located about one-fourth mile from the proposed site, spoke in support of the rezontng. He has operated his business since 1977 and has serviced Mr. Conner's trucks since 1978-79 or 1980. Mr. Love commented on the character of Mr. Conner and his service to the neighborhood. He stated the property belongs to Mr. Conner; therefore, in his opinion he should be able to park his trucks there. Mr. H. J. Harmon, Jr., President of Harmon Machinery in Charlotte and owner of the home located across the street from the proposed site, opposed the rezontng. He stipulated that the Conner's are fine people, but stated there are no grounds for the rezoning. He commented that the Board should look at two things: (1) the adequacy of the Planning and Zoning Commission to look into these matters and make decisions; and (2) instead of going to a new site, leave the business where it is currently located. According to Mr. Harmon, he bought his house in 1987 and the Muddy Creek Fish Camp has not operated since that time. He reported that he had considered clearing his property and bringing dozers from his business onto the site; however, he chose not to do this in consideration to his neighbors. In conclusion, Mr. Harmon acknowledged he does not live at the residence now due to divorce proceedings but stated he still has an interest in the house. Ms. Terri Wood presented three letters of opposition from neighbors who could not attend the meeting. The letters were from Gall Hagler, Jack Steele, and Charles and Susan Riley and were filed with the Clerk. Ms. Terri Wood, resident of 13476 Cabarrus Road since 1978, stated the Conner's are good neighbors. However, she opposed the rezoning, stating the issue is land use and in her opinion an industrial zone is inappropriate in a residential area. She lives approximately a quarter of a mile from the site in a fairly densely populated neighborhood with roughly 10 homes between the Conner property and her home. The Conner's had dump trucks and farm equipment on their property when she moved to the area in 1978. The tractor trailers arrived in approximately 1988 after the original use of the property had been grandfathered in under the Zoning Ordinance. Ms. Wood addressed the development of the Midland Area Plan, stating that residents had agreed that the particular area should be zoned low density residential. According to Ms. Wood, if the rezoning is allowed, the Board is saying (1) that planning and zoning are of very little value in this county; and (2) that an individual can have his property rezoned to meet his economic needs. She expressed concern about spot zoning to meet individual needs and stated that the reason for planning and zoning is to protect the people. If the property is rezoned, Ms. Wood pointed out that area residents would have to put up with the same things that exist at the company's current location and for which complaints have been received. She wished the Conner's well in any business venture, but stated this should not be done at the expense of the people in the neighborhood. In conclusion, she questioned Mr. Conner's ability to guarantee that his trucks will not use Cabarrus Station Road, stating the road has already become a cut-off for a number of other trucks. Mr. J. M. Little, resident of 825 Highway 27 in Midland, supported the rezontng, stating the persons "hollering" the most are the folks who were not raised in the community. He corrected the mileage figures given by Ms. Wood, stating that she lives .45 of a mile from the property requested for rezoning. Mr. James Russell, resident of 13481 Cabarrus Station Road, stated the trucks on the road present no problems to him. He commented on Mr. Conner's fine character and asked the Board to approve the rezoning. Mr. Larry Jackson, resident of 13434 Bethel Avenue Extension and owner of L & J Boring and Tunneling, supported the rezoning and stated it will not create a problem for'him. He commented that the property belongs to Mr. Conner; therefore, he should be able to use the property for his business rather than having to buy property on Highway 24-27 or Highway 601. According to Mr. Jackson, the business should have no bearing on Cabarrus Station Road as the trucks will be using Bethel Avenue Extension. Ms. Gall Page, life long resident of Bethel Avenue Extension on property behind Mr. Jackson's property, spoke in support of the rezoning. She described the small community as a family and stated that the persons complaining the loudest do not live in the immediate area. Ms. Page commented that the Board should base its decision on people in the immediate neighborhood rather than