Greene commissioners set hearing on residential rezoning of former industrial park
Greene County commissioners scheduled a Nov. 16 public hearing on a proposal to rezone former industrial park property in Walstonburg for residential use during their Nov. 2 meeting.
The board also unanimously approved accepting federal funding conditions for a proposed new senior center and heard a resident’s request for a moratorium on data centers.
County Manager Kyle DeHaven requested the rezoning hearing for property formerly known as the Northwest Industrial Park. The proposed change would move the property from industrial to residential zoning.
DeHaven said the change would allow the property to be used for the purpose contemplated in its sale. He told commissioners the buyer was pleased with progress through the process.
The board set the hearing for Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. Scheduling the hearing does not approve the rezoning.
The action follows commissioners’ Oct. 19 decision to remove protective covenants from the I-587 Business Campus after an earlier decision to sell the property for residential use, according to minutes approved during the Nov. 2 meeting.
For the senior center, commissioners approved a resolution accepting conditions for a proposed $1,015,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant and authorizing the chairman and county manager to sign the necessary documents.
The project’s estimated cost is $1.1 million, including an $85,000 county contribution.
USDA representative Stephanie Hardison said she intended to take the signed documents back for processing toward approval of the funding.
The federal letter states that accepting the conditions does not itself constitute grant approval. All funding needed to complete the project must be secured before construction contracts are issued or project funds are spent on construction.
During public comment, resident Cindy Cook asked commissioners to consider a moratorium on data centers while the county studies their potential effects.
Cook raised concerns about water use, noise, zoning and the number of permanent jobs such facilities could provide. She urged commissioners to weigh potential tax benefits against effects on residents and the county’s need for employment opportunities.
The board took no action on her request during the meeting.
Commissioners also approved aligning the expiration month of county ABC Board members’ staggered terms in June.
Commissioner Robert Taylor Jr. recommended the change, explaining that the terms currently expire in different months. The adjustment aligns the expiration month while retaining different expiration years.
The board approved its consent agenda, including the Oct. 19 meeting minutes, late property tax relief applications and tax releases and refunds.
Commissioners later entered a closed session for personnel matters. After returning to open session, the board adjourned without announcing additional action.
