BY KARISSA MILLER

The Iredell County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning request for property along Myers Mills Road during its meeting earlier this week.

The board unanimously approved a request from owner and applicant Michael Halapy to rezone approximately 44 acres from single residential family to residential agricultural conditional district. The property owner is planning to develop a commercial dog kennel at this property.

No one spoke out against the request during the public hearing. The Planning Board had previously supported this request 7-0.

According to Planning Director Matthew Todd, commercial kennels are permitted in the RA zoning district, per Chapter 3 Performance Requirements, of the Iredell County Land Development Code, Section R47 Kennels, Commercial (including breeding and training facilities).

The size of the property is more than sufficient to meet the R47 requirements, Todd said, which includes a number of animals per acre, setbacks and buffers and screening.

Todd mentioned that the property adjoins an existing block of RA zoning district directly to the west.

Additionally, he mentioned that the request was conditional rezoning and specific conditions were imposed as part of its approval.

Flower House Loop Rezoning

Also, during their meeting, the board also approved a request to rezone approximately 8.42 acres along Flower House Loop from Residential Agricultural to General Business Conditional District.

The buyer, Chad Puckett, is considering a gated, mini-warehouse self-storage facility for the largest, most southern portion of the property.

Todd explained that the properties may not be combined.

It’s important to note, Todd said, that while each lot could be developed individually, the agreed upon conditions of the request will still apply to each lot.

While no one spoke out against the request at the meeting, neighbors expressed concerns at earlier meetings about noise, traffic and signage. As a result, the planning board had the applicant agree to meet other conditions to safeguard the neighbors.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other matters, the board approved:

♦ A request from the Finance Department for consideration and acceptance of initial offer for county-owned property along Harmony Highway and authorization to begin the upset bid process.

♦ A request from the Finance Department for consideration and acceptance of highest upset bid offer for $2,150,000 on the Bluefield Road surplus property and to close the upset bid process.

♦ Approved a request from the Finance Department for approval to amend the Jennings Park Project Ordinance. With the closing of the upset bid process for the property on Bluefield Road, the proceeds will allow Parks and Recreation to move forward with the Jennings Park Project.

♦ Approved a request from Administration for approval of Budget Amendment #29 in the amount of $950,000 and to award a contract for the Government Center South Lot Project.

County Manager’s Report

January is National Preparedness Month.

Iredell County provides community information and emergency alert services through a company called Hyper-Reach.

County Manager Beth Mull encouraged residents to sign up for this free service.

When important things are happening in the community, county officials use Hyper-Reach to quickly get the word out by phone, text, email and other methods.

This free service will be a primary way that the County sends out information such as evacuation orders, shelter information and ways to get assistance.

To enroll, you can call or text 980-829-0101. Text “Alert.” The community can also sign up through the county’s website by visiting http://bit.ly/IredellCountyAlerts.