County Commissioners deny zoning request, public notice questioned
The Davidson County Commissioners denied rezoning 358 acres in Southmont from residential agriculture/single family residential to community recreational during its meeting on Monday.
But since the project has already been approved in the county budget for upcoming capital improvement projects, the zoning request will not impact the complex being built.
Lee Crooks, director of Davidson County Planning and Zoning Department, said the project can still be built under the current RA, RA-1, RA-2 zoning classifications. He said the community recreational zoning, which was a new zoning classification approved by the county commissioners in April, is an initiative to make all parks under uniform zoning.
But several commissioners felt there was not enough public notice given about the project, and that denying the request would give the community more time to ask questions and get more information about the project.
“I see these people’s concerns wanting more information. I think a lot of them feel they weren’t properly notified, and it was just sprung upon them. I don’t see that it would hurt to honor their request and briefly delay it so they can be fully informed,” said Commissioner Tripp Kester.
The board voted 3 to 2 to deny the zoning request, with Chairman Todd Yates and Commissioner Karen Watford opposing the motion. Commissioners Chris Elliott and Matt Mizel were not present at the meeting.
This is the first time citizens have been allowed to comment on the project due to public hearing requirements for a change in zoning request. The county was not required to hold a prior public hearing on the project because there was no new debt incurred or rezoning request at the time the project was approved.
Mike Burns, a Southmont resident, said the project was done without the knowledge or consent of the people who live in the area, and there are more important projects needed in the county.
“You bought the property knowing what you were going to use it for, but didn’t tell a single soul who lives in the Southmont community,” said Burns. “We don’t want the complex, you didn’t ask if anyone wanted it... We have been waiting on a new jail for eight years, yet in 18 months you are going to spend $65 million on a sports complex we don’t want or need... I am appalled at how my tax dollars are being spent.”
Other residents mentioned the increase in traffic, the stress on infrastructure and the impact of light and noise pollution. They said a project of this size would destroy the peace and tranquility of the people who live in the area.
The sports complex, which was approved by the board of commissioners in March, will be located off N.C. Highway 8 and Owens Road. It includes soccer and baseball fields, an aquatics center, indoor basketball courts, tennis courts and an RV park.
The county is using $65 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds previously allocated for a sewer project into Rowan County, which was did not develop. Federal regulations allow county government to reimburse itself with ARPA funds for local funds used for COVID related expenses. These funds go back into the general fund which can be used for capital improvement projects.
The county commissioners approved a request for the Yadkin River Park to community recreational zoning during the meeting.
