Tom MacCallum

Richmond County Daily Journal

A newly sworn-in Richmond County Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a zoning change recommendation to be sent to the Richmond County Board of Commissioners Tuesday night.

County Clerk Marian Savage swore in members of the board. All had been re-appointed recently by county commissioners. Gerald W. Witherspoon, agent/broker for Realty World/Thomas Realty Company, was sworn in as a new member.

In addition to Witherspoon, who fills a three-year term seat; other members are Jim Lambeth and Dr. Diane Honeycutt, three years; Harvey Melton and Richard Williams, two years; and Greg Norton and Fred Morris, one year.

Melton is chairman. Officers are elected in July. Billy Cipriani will be sworn in later as an alternate member of the board.

Amendment

In response to a situation which arose when a property owner wanted to renovate an existing building on a home site which did not conform to zoning regulations, a zoning text amendment is being offered concerning use of a non-conforming building which pre-dates the adoption of the Richmond County Zoning Ordinance on July 14, 2003.

The amendment proposal is in line with the planning board’s explanation that the zoning ordinance can be a flexible document which is a “work in progress” as stated at past meetings.

Offering amendments for change is allowed for that purpose.

“It is the intent of this proposal to provide an option to re-use certain non-conforming buildings in residential areas for residential purposes, while maintaining the integrity and spirit of the zoning ordinance itself,” the amendment said.

The situation arose when a property owner wanted to convert a former business building on residential property to residential housing. Under the zoning ordinance, two residences on the size of the property was not allowed.

Since the building existed before the ordinance, the amendment would allow the property — and other such properties throughout the county — to be upgraded and/or converted for a residence if:

n Property is within Agricultural Residential, Rural Residential or County Residential Zoning Districts.

n Buildings being converted are less than 25 percent of the minimum space requirements.

n The residential units do not exceed density ratios by more than 25 percent.

n County and state permits and building standards are applied.

n County codes and regulations apply.

n A conditional use permit is obtained.

Board member Fred Morris said he felt the proposal was a “reasonable accommodation,” and soon there would be little need for the change as few such situations would continue to exist.

County Planner James Armstrong said it was the right way to go in loosening up the ordinance.

Witherspoon felt the recommendation would be friendlier to those who seek to develop existing property.

Permit approved

A request for a conditional use permit for Dove Transportation to build an office and parking lot on N.C. 381 south of Grace Chapel Church Road, Hamlet, was approved.

Grainger C. Davis wanted the permit to establish a permanent home for the business after locating in several temporary locations.

Davis said the company has four employees and has been operation for two years.

Tower ordinance

Planning board members have been given proposed changes to the county ordinance on telecommunications to redefine telecommunication towers.

Armstrong presented a proposal to members to study for making possible adjustments to present to county commissioners for enactment.

Because wireless facilities and wireless support structures are of such substantially different character from other permitted uses, the proposal suggests additional standard for construction.

The purpose was stated as, “Richmond County wishes to accommodate the growing need and demand for wireless communication services.”

Van Billingsley of Electronic Service Company of Hamlet has been engaged in discussions with the board since his application for a permit to extend the height of a tower met a roadblock.

Herb Long of Ellerbe Telephone Company was involved Tuesday night in discussions because of the need for his company to extend Internet services to customers in rural areas through new towers which need to be constructed.

James Dougherty, executive director, Fort Bragg/Pope Air Force Base Regional Land Use Advisory Commission made a power point presentation on the Telecommunications Tower Study for the Fort Bragg Region to illustrate the interest in such towers as they might affect military operations.

Towers in the proposal would be given three classifications:

n Class I: Structures because of height, use or location would represent a low hazard to life and property, mostly for residential and personal use.

n Class II: Structures which could represent a hazard with larger commercial towers such as for wireless communications, television and radio.

n Class III: Communication structures for civil or national defense; emergency, rescue or disaster operations; and military and navigation facilities.

A main item of concern has been the “fall area” for a tower. It is proposed that the distance for the fall area be decreased from 1.5 feet to one foot for each vertical foot of a tower.

And, the proposed ordinance would add: “A N.C. licensed Professional Engineer may certify that the design of the tower will not endanger surrounding property, allowing a reduction in the fall area by no greater than 50 percent.”

Planning board meetings are open to the public and meet at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday each month at the County Administration Building, South Hancock Street, Rockingham.

n Contact reporter Tom MacCallum at 997-3111, ext. 15; e-mail tmaccallum@yourdailyjournal.com.