Commissioners rezoned property within and near the county Eco Complex Monday and adopted a plan that makes way for potential business in the area.
Catawba County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved 321 Eco-Tech Development Plan, which considers things such as land use, public services such as water and sewer, transportation and preserving natural resources in the area. A lot of the property in the area is used for farming.
Jacky Eubanks, director of planning and development for the county, pointed out the economic development successes the area has seen such as the Target distribution center, Apple data center and the county’s Eco Complex. He said the three successes could serve as a catalyst for other development and projects in the area. The county would have to work with other local governments on providing services to the area and with the NC Department of Transportation to realign Rocky Ford Road, create a new interchange at Rocky Ford Road and US 321and build a new, higher bridge say officials.
And commissioners took the first steps on Monday to try to make the development plan happen and attract business. The majority of property in the area, including the Eco Complex, is zoned residential. The board unanimously agreed to rezone around 500 acres within the Eco Complex on Rocky Ford Road from residential to 321-ED(I) Industrial district.
The rezoning proposal originally included an additional property but commissioners agreed remove around 112 acres from the rezoning after resident Paul Gadd, who said he was concerned about his property values. Gadd spoke during the public hearing on the Eco Complex rezoning and asked that some of the property be left residential to create a buffer between his property and the complex property. Gadd’s property is along the southern end of the complex on Wilfong Road. Commissioner Randy Isenhower made the motion to remove the approximately 112 acres from the rezoning.
Commissioners also unanimously agreed to rezone 33.66 acres along Rocky Ford Road, owned by Hmong Southeast Puavpheej, Inc., from residential and 321-ED Industrial to 321-ED Mixed-Use district. Members of the Hmong Southeast Puavpheej, Inc. requested the rezoning and showed up at Monday’s commissioner meeting in support of the rezoning. The organization holds festivals and other events on the property, say county officials.
Commissioners agreed on Monday to table a decision on whether to allow flexibility for metal facade treatments in the 321-ED(I) Industrial district.
In other business, commissioners:
- Approved a resolution for financing of up to $400,000 for expansion and renovation for Oxford Fire Protection Association, Inc. to obtain a more favorable interest rate. The board also agreed to allow the association to appropriate $25,182 of the existing fund balance to pay for the cost of the expansion and renovation.
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