More public hearings scheduled for September
City Council approves
rezoning and annexations
By Loretta Cozart
Kings Mountain City Council met on Tuesday, August 31 at 6 p.m. in council chambers at city hall. Council members approved the following items brought before them in the consent agenda:
Adopted a Resolution amending the Downtown Development Incentives Grant Policy as follows:
• Increase the maximum amount for the sign grant for the City of Kings Mountain downtown grant from $750 to $1,000.
• Increase the maximum amount for the Customer Inducement grant for the City of Kings Mountain from $1,000 to $1,500.
Add language to include a requirement for proof of commercial property insurance which verifies coverage of the property for full replacement value for properties that are considered for grants. (This was approved at the June 29, 2021, Regular Meeting to be included on the grant applications. This action would add the same language to the policy.)
Two Public Hearings were scheduled for Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. to consider:
• An application from Century Communities Southeast LLC (Owner KM Acquisition Q02B1, LLC) to rezone property identified as 198 Dixon School Road, being further identified as Parcel No. 11683, Tax Map 4-42, Block 1, Lot 20, and consisting of 12.863 acres from Suburban Residential (SR) (formerly R-10 Residential) to Semi Urban Residential (SU).
• An application from R.D. Harrell Company to rezone property off Kings Mountain Boulevard, being further identified as Parcel No. 11912, Tax Map 4-51, Block 1, Lot 11, and consisting of 29.57 acres from Residential Office (RO) to Conditional District RS-6. The conditional district rezoning requires that the petitioner have community meetings independent of the required Public Hearing. The October Public Hearing date will allow for this requirement to be completed.
The city also adopted Resolutions, pursuant to NC Genera Statutes, directing the City Clerk to investigate the sufficiency for a petition for a voluntary noncontiguous annexation from a property owner requesting voluntary annexation of two properties:
• KM Acquisition QOZB1, LLC for property Page 15 Page 42 Page 49 Page 62 Page 84 identified as Cleveland County Tax Map 4-42, Block 1, Lot 20, PIN 2593198869, Parcel No. 11683, consisting of 12.863 acres, more or less– Case No. VA-19-8-21A.
• KM Acquisition QOZB1, LLC for property identified as Cleveland County Tax Map 4-81, Block 1, Lot 15, PIN 2594301236, Parcel No. 71267, consisting of 57.633 acres, more or less– Case No. VA-19-8-21B.
The last item under the Consent Agenda appointed Margo Plonk on the Mauney Memorial Library Board of Trustees to fill a vacant seat - term expiring 6/30/2024.
Public Hearings were held to consider three items.
The first request was to close a portion of James Street which lies between Grace Street and the Norfolk Southern Railroad right of way. The portion discussed was a street on paper, but it had never been paved or used as a street.
The second request was to consider voluntary annexation by Kenneth F. Davis and Amy C. Davis, for property located on or about 155 Patterson Road, being further identified as Parcel No. 12139, Tax Map 4-59, Block 1, Lot 11U, and consisting of approximately 29.88 acres.
The third request was from Prestige Corporate Development, LLC (Brinkley Properties of KM, LLC, Owner) to rezone property located at 1017 Phifer Road, 1025 Phifer Road, and 1027 Phifer Road, consisting of 52.95 acres being further known as Parcels 11916, 57168, 57167, 11919, 11920 and 11921 from then Residential R-10, now Suburban Residential (SR) to Semi Urban Residential (SU) Case No. Z-23-6-21.
After closing the Public Hearing, city council voted on all three items.
The motion to close a portion of James Street was made by Councilman David Allen and the vote was unanimous.
Regarding the request by Kenneth F. Davis and Amy C. Davis, to annex property located on or about 155 Patterson Road, the motion was made by Councilman Jay Rhodes and the vote was unanimous.
A motion was made by Councilman Dave Allen in favor of a request from Prestige Corporate Development, LLC (Brinkley Properties, LLC, Owner) for property located at 1017 Phifer Road, 1025 Phifer Road, and 1027 Phifer Road, consisting of 52.95 acres to be rezoned from Suburban Residential (SR) to Semi Urban Residential (SU). The vote was unanimous.
Councilman Mike Butler made the motion to adopt an Ordinance amending the zoning map of the City of Kings Mountain, NC to rezone Prestige Corporate Development, LLC’s property to Semi Urban Residential (SU). The vote was unanimous.
City of Kings Mountain had received an offer of $4,500 for 1.33 acres of property located on Phifer Road by Earthfall Production, Inc. However, the appraisal came back higher than the offer. After discussions with Earthfall Productions, Inc., the city learned they were open to negotiation. Councilman Jay Rhodes made the motion to reject the bid of $4,500 and negotiate the sale price with Tom Bennett of Earthfall Productions, Inc. This places the parcel back into the upset bid process. Council will discuss again at their October meeting.
Jean Wyte, Billing Director for the City of Kings Mountain discussed a proposed change to the Utility Billing Policy regarding commercial garbage collections. According to Wyte, approximately seven commercial businesses are in arrears on their dumpster payments. Some businesses use a third-party vendor and have accumulated a balance. The proposed change in verbiage gives the city the ability to act against those businesses that have outstanding balances. Councilman Jay Rhodes recommended reaching out to the businesses before removing their dumpsters, to make sure they are aware of the situation and to give them the opportunity to pay. Councilman Mike Butler made the motion to approve the proposed change to the utility billing policy and the vote was unanimous.
City Council went into a closed session to discuss a personnel matter and an economic development project, but no action was taken on either, so the meeting adjourned.