County Commissioner Robert Wisecarver had a direct question for County Planner Andrew Meadwell: If a pastor hosted a Bible study in his home, would it go against a proposed change to the county’s zoning ordinance?
“It could,” Meadwell said, although churches are allowed in most residentially-zoned districts.
Commissioners then unanimously approved the changes, which Meadwell said more accurately reflect national zoning standards. It should make the regulations easier to understand for staff and developers, he said.
The changes were also unanimously recommended by the county’s planning department.
•
Work is continuing on the old Dodge building on Depot Street in Mocksville, which the county bought and is converting into a “one stop shop” for developmental services and the water department. County Manager Beth Dirks told commissioners that a design by Fuller Architecture for remodeling the building have been approved, and construction should begin soon.
•
Emergency communications is undergoing a complete study of how it does business and with what equipment, Dirks said, after commissioners were told at a town hall meeting earlier in the summer that emergency radio service was non-existent in parts of the county. She said Director Ronnie Robertson had been helpful in trying to solve the problem, including repairs to a relay tower.
When asked, Sheriff Andy Stokes said there is no noticeable improvement. “We’re experiencing dead spots all over the county,” he said. Officers routinely use cell phones for communicating rather than the emergency frequencies.
Dirks said the county has received four proposals to audit the equipment and business practices ranging from $40,000 to more than $100,000. Staff expects to make a recommendation to commissioners at a meeting on Monday.
•
Fourteen low-income and frail elderly homeowners in Davie County will receive assistance to remain in their homes this year.
County commissioners last month approved $75,000 from the N.C. Housing Financing Agency to provide the repairs, which, according to consultant Michael Walser, will: alleviate housing conditions which pose a threat to their life or safety; or provide accessibility improvements to prevent displacement of those residents …