Local News - September 2003

Controversial zoning request wins approval

Published September 10, 2003

By ALICE SMITH, Staff Writer

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The possibility of offices and mini-storage units being built in an east Lincoln neighborhood is one step closer to becoming a reality.

The County Planning Board Monday night, after hearing several residents voice their opposition to the plan, voted 3-1 to recommend approval of the rezoning from Lake Norman Dredging & Marine Construction Inc.

County commissioners will have the final say in the matter on Sept. 22 when they could vote on the issue.

This is the second time Lake Norman Dredging & Marine Construction Inc. has been before both boards.

In August, owner Rick Miller asked the county to rezone 23.5 acres of land on Campground Road near Pine Ridge Drive from Transitional Residential to General Industrial.

That application was unanimously approved by the planning board.

Miller said he wanted to build docks on the land, but residents said that industrial use didn’t mix with the residential setting they wanted to maintain.

Miller, who didn’t speak at Monday’s public hearing, is now requesting that 18.5 acres on the same property be rezoned to General Business.

Under that zoning, he could build and operate offices, retail sales buildings and mini-warehouses, said Randy Hawkins, county zoning administrator.

Neighbors of the property filled the Commissioners Room Monday night, many speaking out about why the zoning should not be allowed.

One resident, Joe Seifert of Pine Ridge Drive, said the county should approve the request, because it would regulate what could be placed on the land.

The Residential Transitional district allows for mobile homes, modular homes and stick-built homes, Hawkins said.

“We do need some responsible zoning,” Seifert said. “This is an easy way to regulate it … Just making it residential does not guarantee we’ll have a nice environment.”

Other neighbors, however, felt very differently.

Ron and Elena Fryer, 4036 Woodbeach Road, questioned Miller’s honesty.

“Mr. Miller, don’t treat us, our neighbors, the county commissioners or the planning board as fools,” Ron Fryer said.

Elena Fryer said she and her husband moved to the rural area to avoid traffic and excess noise.

“Think about whether you would like this situation next door to you,” she said.

Residents also questioned Miller’s motivation for changing his zoning request and expressed concerns about how zoning regulations would be enforced.

“All of sudden he no longer needs a place to build docks?” asked Jeanne Nuhfer of Woodbeach Lane.

Nuhfer said she and other  neighbors came to the area to raise their kids and live a peaceful life.

“Everyone here opposing this is directly impacted by the zoning,” she said. “This rural area should remain residential.”

Commissioners will have the chance to vote on the application at their Sept. 22 meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m.

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Staff writer Alice Smith can be reached at 704-735-3031 or alicesmith@ltnews.com.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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