Dawn M. Kurry
Richmond County Daily Journal
The Richmond County Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustments will meet next week to consider two applications for conditional use permits. Both proposed projects would be located on Wiregrass Road, within a half-mile of U.S. 1.
“Both of these are very similar,” said planning and zoning director of GIS James Armstrong. “I’m expecting there won’t be any issues.”
The meeting will take place on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the County Commissioners’ Chambers on the second floor of the County Administrative building, located at 221 S. Hancock St. in Rockingham.
First the board will hear from W. Jeff Barnhardt, who is requesting a conditional use permit to open and operate a produce stand/fresh market on Wiregrass Road, approximately one-fourth of a mile from the intersection of U.S. 1.
According to the case report that will be presented to the board, the proposed produce stand is an open air market.
Barnhardt said if the permit application is approved, he will sell fresh organic vegetables, which he plans to grow.
“We thought people on that side of town could use what we are proposing,” said Barnhardt. “We feel it’s something the people closer into town could use, so they wouldn’t have to go all the way up Highway 220.”
The board will also review an application for a conditional use permit submitted by Michael Veach, who wishes to open and operate a sales yard for bulk landscape supplies and garden materials, located on Wiregrass Road, approximately half a mile from the Highway U.S. 1 intersection.
According to the case report accompanying the application, the property is not owned by the applicant, and “no evidence has yet to be submitted to indicate any legal interest or agreement the applicant may share with the property owners Arther and Brenda Thrower. The property in question contains a total of nine acres and has adequate road frontage along Wiregrass Road. The property is vacant but there appears to be an old ball field located at the front of the property.”
Although both proposed projects are similar, Barnhardt said that was not planned, however both men have been in discussion about how they can form a working partnership.
“It wasn’t planned,” said Barnhardt. “His will be across the road and down a ways. We have talked and hope we can open up that area for hayrides and things like that in the fall, maybe have a pumpkin patch. “
Barnhardt also said he would like to pursue making homemade ice cream available.
Veach was not available for comment.
Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@civitasmedia.com.
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