Greene County commissioners to consider lifting business campus restrictions for residential use

Greene County commissioners will consider removing restrictions that prohibit residential development at the I-587 Business Campus when they meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at the Greene County Operations Center.

County Manager Kyle DeHaven is requesting that the board rescind protective covenants on the property, formerly known as the Walstonburg industrial park, to accommodate its intended residential use.

According to DeHaven’s agenda memo, the county recently decided to sell the property for residential purposes, which conflicts with the existing covenants. The memo calls for removing the restrictions and recording the rescission with the Register of Deeds.

The covenants, recorded in August 2024, designate the campus for industrial or commercial use only and expressly prohibit residential activities. They also establish development requirements, including a minimum primary building size of 7,500 square feet, county approval of architectural plans and limits on lot coverage and signage.

The agenda item does not identify a buyer, sale price, proposed number of homes or construction timeline.

Commissioners also are scheduled to receive monthly tax collection and financial reports. The September financial report lists approximately $3.51 million in general fund revenue and $6.98 million in expenditures for the fiscal year to date, representing 12.85% and 25.53% of their respective annual budgets. The financial report is provided for information, with no board action requested.

The consent agenda includes minutes from the Oct. 5 meeting, late applications for property tax relief and present-use valuation, and tax releases and refunds.

A closed session concerning personnel also is listed on the agenda.

Residents wishing to speak during public comments must sign up on the sheet near the entrance before the meeting begins. Speakers will have up to three minutes each under the board’s public comment policy.