Lenoir County commissioners deny Cobb Road campground permit
The Lenoir County Board of Commissioners denied a special use permit Monday for a proposed campground at 759 Cobb Road after nearby residents raised concerns about traffic, safety, drainage and the effect on the surrounding neighborhood.
The request, submitted by property owner Richard Gould, called for a small RV and tent campground on about 12 acres in an agricultural/rural zoning district. According to the county agenda packet, the project included six full hook-up RV sites, tent camping areas and a proposed pond. Lenoir County Senior Planner Olivia John told commissioners the planning board had recommended approval with no additional recommendations.
Gould told commissioners the campground would be a low-impact project developed in phases. He said the RV sites would be limited to six, guests would be limited to stays of no more than 30 days, and quiet hours would be enforced from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. He also said each site was planned to have electrical, water and septic service.
Several residents spoke against the proposal during the evidentiary hearing. Speakers questioned whether the campground fit the character of Cobb Road, how guests would be screened, whether drainage issues had been addressed and whether the road could safely handle additional traffic.
Commissioners considered the required findings for a special use permit individually. After several findings failed, the board voted to deny the permit.
The board also approved several health-related funding items. Commissioners accepted a $2,232.50 increase for the Lenoir County Health Department’s Minority Diabetes Prevention Program, bringing the program’s current-year funding to $22,232.50.
Commissioners also approved acceptance of $273,275 in AA117 funding for foundational public health services. The money supports work including communicable disease prevention, maternal and child health, environmental health, chronic disease prevention and public health workforce development. The funding can be used through October 2027, according to the agenda packet.
The board also authorized the county’s Community Recovery Division to submit an application for a federal Health Resources and Services Administration grant. Beth Heath told commissioners the grant could bring up to $3 million over four years to support rural substance use disorder and opioid use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery services.
Heath said the county hopes to use the funding to expand naloxone and overdose education, substance use screening, youth prevention programs, medication treatment access, peer support, case management, transportation assistance, housing support and workforce development.
Commissioners also recognized county employees for years of service, honored Chilly Water/Carolina Ice as the county’s quarterly industry spotlight and heard an economic development strategic plan presentation from the Lenoir County Development Alliance and MRB Group.
The consent agenda included approval of the Aug. 3 meeting minutes, a resolution honoring N.C. House Rep. Daniel T. Lilley, a Perry proclamation, tax relief applications, the July tax collection report, releases and refunds, revisions to the Lenoir County Transit drug and alcohol testing policy, a $2,701 purchase order for HVAC repair at the Sheriff’s Annex and a $5,380 purchase order for roof repair at the livestock arena.
