03/29/2024
Spread the love

By Joy Warren

The Town of Elizabethtown Town Council met via Zoom for their April meeting on Monday evening. The first order of business was to welcome the new town manager, Dane Rideout. Mr. Rideout’s first day on the job was Monday. He was previously the town manager of Bluefield, West Virginia.

WithersRavenel gave a presentation on the 160D Text Amendments that are required by state statutes for Zoning Ordinances. The changes must be completed by July 1 and an updated Land Use Plan is due July 1, 2022.

Two public hearings were held but due to the meeting being conducted virtually, Council will not be able to act on either issue. Voting will take place at the May 3rd meeting. The first public hearing to solicit public comments involves a rezoning request by Jessie Inman Jr. Mr. Inman is requesting a parcel of property located along Grey Moss Lane be rezoned from B-C (Bypass Commercial) to R-20 (Low-Density Residential). The lot is being rezoned to construct a family cemetery in the future. No public comments were received.

The second public hearing is a request for annexation of property. Annexation sites include property on 911 Airport Road; 5.92 and 106.192 acres at Elizabethtown Industrial Park; and approximately 7 acres of Airport property. No public comments were received.

Tommy Butler of 503 W. King Street requested to appear before the Council. He stated that tractor trailer traffic on W. King Street is causing damage to the street. The speed of the vehicles is also a concern. Mr. Butler said “the road is caving in on King Street and Owen Street. When the trucks run across the damaged street, the impact is shaking my home and my neighbor’s homes. Over the past year we have experienced structural damage to our homes.” Mayor Sylvia Campbell assured Mr. Butler that town staff would look at the matter and will get back to him as soon as possible.

In administrative matters, Council authorized signature stamp for check signage for the town manager; declared police department property as surplus and approved disposition of property; and approved tax releases, budget amendment and the monthly financial report.

Council accepted the Community Development Block Grant – Neighborhood Revitalization. The grant awarded the town $750,000 for the project. It will include reconstruction ($337,500), rehabilitation ($77,500), and funding for Martin Luther King Jr. Park ($260,000). Council also approved administration and service delivery costs for the grant to the Floyd Adams Company ($127,000). Hopefully work will begin in 4 to 5 months.

The meeting moved into a closed session to discuss real estate matters.

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