We want to apologize to everybody just a
little bit for being
a little tardy for our meeting because
we were all over the county commission
meetings
trying to watch over our
water
project down on 115. So, if anybody in
this room
gets
good or bad information from that
meeting, please raise your hand and
we'll recognize that.
Uh,
I'd like to call upon the Scouts from
Troop 301 to
Scoutmaster.
>> All right. Bow your heads, please.
Heavenly Father, we gather today
grateful for the community we share and
the freedom we enjoy. As this flag is
presented, let it serve as a powerful
reminder of our unity, our history, and
the shared values that bind us together.
Grant our local leaders the wisdom,
humility, and strength to serve this
community with integrity.
Bless all those who serve, past and
present, to protect and uphold the
ideals this flag represents. May we
leave this room today steadfast in our
duty to each other and dedicated to the
service of our neighbors. Amen.
All right. Will you all join me in the
pledge?
I pledge
>> allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic
for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
» I can recognize this fine young the
young men.
» I'll be young today.
>> There you go. You know enough.
Thank you.
Appreciate it.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> Thank you.
>> Yes, sir.
» Oh.
What?
was that again?
>> Okay.
>> You can go on the points.
So, on behalf of the America 250
Committee,
we're making this presentation to you
and I think that extends to your entire
department. I want to recognize the
chief. During the 4th of July
festivities, we had not a single heat
related incident. We had not a single
fender bender.
We didn't have any problem at all.
That's the way to count on you.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> I'll pass it on to you.
>> THANK YOU.
>> [applause]
» ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS TO THE
RELATIONS?
I DON'T HAVE ANY motions to bring to the
agenda.
>> I.
>> On the table.
>> I.
>> Thank you.
» I move to adopt.
>> General public comments.
» Ladies and gentlemen,
>> I.
Is this Ragland?
>> Yes.
>> Who is the one who made this
presentation?
» Thank you.
>> Okay. I'm sorry.
So, we will close today.
Sorry. We will hold.
Thank
Hi, Mrs. Ragland.
>> Okay.
>> We'll we'll come back to you in just a
moment, please. I've got another order
over here. Thank you.
Um
Any reason
routine business with consent? Consent
business?
>> Mr. Mayor, I make a motion we accept the
routine consent agenda as written.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
All opposed?
Mr. Manager.
>> Mr. Mayor, if I could chime in here.
At the last meeting here, it was
mentioned by the board that they would
like to
learn some additionally about the river
district area. And as a result, the
developer
Marty Pearson,
who's with the non-profit,
uh has suggested that he would be in a
position to come up
with a special meeting
on August 24th that morning. And then of
course that evening
is the Wilkesboro WCC annual meeting.
So, you can be here
for that as well.
Um
Wilkesboro has expressed interest with
the Wilkesboro board and possibly a
joint meeting with the North Wilkesboro
board
at the 1915 location, which they will
also have
offered the use of
on that morning of August 24th.
And
um we just need to
define a time. And if that's convenient
for you.
» I'm good with
We're good with that.
>> All right.
>> I'm good with August 24th.
>> Okay, good.
» Tuesday is fine.
>> That's fine.
» Okay, Tuesday at 9:00
>> So, we'll have that set when we that
coordinated and then we'll let you know.
the time.
Um
May we discuss possibilities for
coordinating a single meeting monthly
versus two meetings which we're
currently doing.
Which could
potentially result in substantial
time savings and
a lot of paperwork and such, especially
efficient and
Um
We can have a deal with a shared file
and putting more data out on the internet with global access.
I just wanted to ask the board's
consideration to
entertain possibilities for
a
third Thursday meeting each month and
move away from the two.
>> Would you be okay if we had some
internal discussions over the next
couple of weeks and come back with a
decision on the
20 Whatever the next board meeting is.
27th. Yeah, the 27th. Are you okay with
that?
way we can [clears throat] just
kind of
mull it over and
>> Absolutely.
>> I'm not opposed to it.
>> Absolutely.
>> Just want to let I just, you know,
get a get a
as uh someone once said, get a
temperature of the board. See how they
feel about it.
has no problem with it.
You know, there's a comment on it.
>> It is in the town code, so we would have
to change the code
to make that change.
>> My comment would be is that's in my time
here that
the chairman Blankly has been
instrumental in giving us strength and I
think that would
allow him to use his talents more
properly before
consider that.
» Uh the next item that I'll mention
uh we had discussed with knowing the
timing of it.
So, I did
work with David Weaver and Mike Rivers
and
they provided an estimate
as well as the cost associated with that
involving the use of the equipment
staff would have
and that total came up to $259.37
as their estimate
for mowing weeds.
» I'm not
happy to say that
I made
a mistake because I don't want to
commercial
Remember
in that
they could mow all of the property we
have
in Mississippi railway station
and Sandy Hollow
and 10th and Main
that was
it was $75
for all of
And may may be possible for us to look
at
putting out the bid
and see what we may be able to do
if that becomes an issue.
» That's for information purposes.
Lastly,
had David Weaver
and we
been discussing our need for a new
garbage truck.
trash truck
Uh the existing unit has
the the canister unit on it.
is obsolete
Uh one of the parts is broken.
Tried to locate a replacement part
that's not available.
Uh
we've tried several resources to do
that. So,
David has
identified
a unit that
actually was brought up as a
demonstrator unit
for our use for a couple of days.
And that that truck
David did
I don't know if I can add anything with
uh
essentially that truck in lieu of two
loads to the landfill today
based on the
auction
It lessened our hauls to one time today
for that particular truck.
>> Yes.
>> And so
that alone would identify and save
somewhere between 3,500 and 4,000
dollars annually
in this fuel.
>> Okay.
>> But the uh
you can sort of clarify the cost of this
unit. I think it's 287,601. [snorts]
And uh we discussed lease possibilities.
It doesn't appear that that's
a viable option.
» The lease [clears throat]
The lease on it was like $6,000 and some
a month
for 18-month lease and the time you add
those
>> [clears throat]
>> lease payments up
and then I think there was somewhere in
the neighborhood of $210,000
left to pay at the end of the lease,
you're $50,000 more than what it would
be just to buy the truck straight out.
So
and they they done a 24-month lease also
and it was the same way. Still coming up
$50,000 more than what the truck would
cost if we bought it.
» This is a 2026 Freightliner or
something?
>> Yes. And it's a square body style now
and what we're running now is the round
canister style.
Um
the round canister style has one
telescoping piston cylinder that packs
and
the packer goes in and people are like,
"What is this?"
And it pushes it where the seals and
stuff out in that telescoping
cylinder and that cylinder is $12,000
and we usually go through about one of
those
a year.
So it's about all we would of
them. And uh the one that we're looking
at, the square body, it gets up two
cylinders that pushes the packer
and it packs it tight. That's the way we
can get everything in one day on one
load.
Instead of having two loads like we're
doing today.
» Now, this is So, is this truck
Is that for recycling or is this for
garbage?
>> This
The truck that we're running every day
now will go to
with our backup truck and run for
cardboard on Fridays. But the new truck
will go in service and be running every
day for the commercial dumpster route.
>> Now, which one
Is this the one that we
for the alleys that would go to sideways
>> Yes.
>> Yeah, I know.
>> Yeah.
>> We talked about that.
>> Yeah, we talked about
>> Yeah.
Okay.
Is that [clears throat]
the future? I know a lot of commercial
people are going to the front loader.
>> We have looked into the front loader. Um
It will It will work in some places in
town. Some places it won't. Big problem
we're going to have
is some of the alleys here in town
and some American Corners and the way
they got their dumpsters laid out.
Um it'd be hard to get into there.
Uh another problem we got is the town
does not own the dumpsters
and the businesses own them.
And to be able to use a front loader,
there's a cost with putting sleeves on
the side of the dumpster so the arms can
get them in.
And I checked with Jim Beeman and he
said it's about $300 a dumpster
to put those on.
And uh so that would
to go to a front loader, that would have
to be
something that you know would have to be
discussed between with the town and the
customers. And also with a front load
truck,
you're looking at
a little over $400,000 for a truck.
And um
so
the trucks uh
GS Products, which I got the quote from,
uh they're in use down towards the coast.
Um
Gatlinburg uses them, and they're really
big in Texas. So, there's it's not a lot
where
out there on the limb.
Uh and with this truck, will we get the
same warranty as the
In fact, it is the same as Freightliner.
Uh there's
pretty much except for the truck
chassis, uh we're going to be short like
3 months on it.
>> Okay, but everything else
>> Yeah, everything else will have warranty
on it, just
» How many How many units
>> [snorts]
>> waste disposal units are there out there some 140?
>> There's some 140
stops, but some of the stops has got
more than one dumpster, like the
Department of Correction, they got six.
So,
uh they're picking up several
dumpsters in that area.
» Is there any advantage to
I mean, I know leasing and leasing is an
expensive option a lot of times. Is
there any advantage
to
uh financing the I mean, you know, like
instead of just the
single cash outlay, you know,
putting a
deposit down and then
you know,
paying the rest over time? Is there an
advantage or not?
>> In my opinion,
I think
in this situation, you'd be better off
to
just
>> I get your point. Buy basically.
Okay.
>> Yes.
>> Also, I have a question I can't see.
>> Uh we usually try to get 5 years
everyday service out of it,
and then
buy another one and it goes to a backup
and get at least 5 to 10 more out of it.
Cuz it's not running everyday.
>> The existing unit you have, you had it
for
>> The existing unit we got a for a 2020
that we're running right now.
Uh the one that we will be replacing is
a 2012.
» You know, I talked to Mayor Wilson Wlkes
for about the possibility of
uh
calculating some method in the future
where we could
uh
share
truck. Pay due uh bi-weekly.
Uh
recycling pickup, I'm assuming that's
the roll out.
And those are rear load, correct?
>> Yes.
>> Uh
what's your opinion Well,
could you look into that just for the
future, not this truck. I'm not saying
that for the future
where we might save money for both
towns.
>> It'd be tight and it'd be hard to do cuz
we we run 4 days a week uh trash and
recycling's every other week and
you know, something that we could look
into.
>> Not impossible.
No.
>> I would think so.
>> Eddie, where would the funding come from
this? Would it have to come from the
fund balance?
>> It would. Yes, sir.
>> Are we in a position fund balance-wise
to be able to afford this?
>> We can. Yes, sir.
>> Well,
you know, capital expenditures what the
fund balance is for. It's always been in
my mind what the fund balance was meant
to be used for.
The services the citizens of North
Wilkesboro. So,
from this chair,
I'm I'm fine with proceeding. Uh um
do we need further investigation or can
we just codify this in the form of a
motion?
>> We can
proceed.
This this truck is on um North Carolina
Sheriff's Association and me and Eddie
also talked to uh Mack representative.
The Mack representative was 220 or 328.
for this truck. and the only
difference is is the chassis. It's got
same better.
>> Well,
you know,
there's nothing wrong with the
Freightliner.
The Bulldog is neat, but the
Freightliner will suffice.
>> And this Freightliner we can have it
within a week.
» What's the thing?
What what are you going to do with the
old truck?
>> We'll put it on GovDeals and sell it.
Yeah.
You get what you can, I guess.
>> Chris, what do you You you want to work?
Good.
Uh
Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion
that we proceed with the purchase of
trash truck
from GSP Marketing for the amount of
$287,601.
>> I'll second.
>> All in favor.
>> Aye.
>> Thank you all.
>> Thank you.
>> Thanks for your due diligence, John.
You're welcome.
>> I did.
» All right.
>> Any old business?
>> No.
Any old business?
>> How about that?
» Any business?
We can call for a public hearing
for the removal of personal ID 2203757
from the county of PJ.
And and let me remind you folks that
you'll be able to speak during this
time.
Uh
and you will uh
just maybe 5 minutes.
» [clears throat]
>> Can anybody else get to see you all
again?
>> Um
what you've got here before you tonight
is a request, a public hearing for the
removal of a certain parcel identified
as 2203
757 from the town's extraterritorial
jurisdiction.
Just as a reminder, the extraterritorial
jurisdiction is where we govern our
zoning regulations. We do not have
public
um police powers there. So, um most of
the regulation that you find in ETJ is
strictly to
um straight from your zoning ordinance.
The request tonight is to, as I stated,
remove a parcel from the Town of
Wilkesboro's ETJ. The property, which
we'll get to a location of that property
here in a minute and an actual map for
you to look at for members of the public
here tonight to look at, is off of Old
US 421 Road and Lincoln Heights Road
near the intersection.
The total acreage for the parcel is 5
acres.
Town sewer is available for this par-
parcel and access to water is available
for this parcel through a private water
association.
Um just as a reminder,
>> [clears throat]
>> excuse me,
any connection to town sewer in the
future would require an annexation of
this property.
So, I'm going to go over the um
location and we'll kind of flip back to
this map just to give a general idea of
where this property is located. So,
you've got here the location of the property is right
here where the circle dot is and you've
got your
uh Lincoln Heights Road and your Old US
421 Road. Um this map is quite detailed
um because of the location where it is,
it falls um in a unique situation. So,
the property itself is zoned R6
high-density residential.
There um and we'll get to the
surrounding zoning here in a minute to
talk about the property in more depth.
Um
but you will find that there is This map
does look a little busy, so I'll go into
some more detail later on.
So, as part of the request to remove a
piece of land from the town's ETJ, the
recommendation is to follow the same way
it was established.
Um, obviously we've had our ETJ for
quite a few years now, decades. Um, and
the way that it is established typically
to call for a public hearing and to
provide notice to the property owner.
So, the town of Rolesville, you can see
advertised on June 26th, 2026,
which is required to provide more than
that 2-week um requirement for
rezonings. It's just recommended to
provide a month, so more than a month is
provided. Um, so on June 26th, letters
were sent out to both the applicant, the
Vanderbigs who are here tonight. Um, if
you have any questions for them after I
get done speaking, as well as to the
neighboring property owners, and those
property owners are identified um in
that map here. Um, anybody who was
adjacent or abutting to these properties
would have been sent a letter.
Recommendation also is to post the
property, so as you guys can see, on
June 26th, two signs were put on the
property, one on the intersection, one
on the Heights Road, and one on both US
401.
As part of your agenda packet, um you
will find what we kind of formally call
the application. Um, it is a letter from
the um applicants here tonight
requesting that the board consider
removal of the property from the town's
extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Again, as part of um the notification,
um an advertisement was put in the
Rolesville in the Rolesville Storm
Patriot on July 1st. That ran one time
notifying the public of the public
hearing tonight.
So, we need to get into the review
criteria, but ultimately we'll start
with the future land use map, which is
having your comprehensive land use plan.
So, the future land use map identifies
this parcel as medium density
residential. As explained in previous
hearings, medium density density
residential doesn't tie the board to a
specific zoning district in our in our
zoning table.
However, it does allude that the
comprehensive plan envisioned this
property to have some kind of medium
density residential designation through
some zoning practices.
So, in considering the following
factors, in considering the request
tonight, the following factors need to
be considered. The first is the
consistency of the proposed zoning with
the Town of Wilkesboro's comprehensive
plan.
So, ultimately, as explained, the
comprehensive plan identifies this as
medium density residential. And to move
into the next
item, the future development oversight,
currently, the property is in the town's
zoning jurisdiction. If the property
were is would be removed, the town's
all future development would be governed
by Wilkes County development
regulations. And, you know, I'm sure
there would be questions on what that
would look like, whatever Wilkes County
development regulations allow. And those
could change. So, ultimately, I don't
really want to look into a specific
regulation because we don't control
whether it changes or, you know, whether
it doesn't. Um it's just ultimately
future development is solely governed by
the county.
And whatever the county imposes.
Surrounding land uses. So, this is where
we'll start talking about what is in the
general vicinity.
Um primarily, most of the surrounding
land uses are residential to the north,
south, east, and west. You do have some
vacant lots. We'll flip to that zoning
map here in a minute.
Um
you also have, uniquely, a parking lot
to the northeast. The Town of North
Wilkesboro's jurisdiction serves that
parcel, and it's where the parking lot
for the Rolling Pines disc golf course
is located. And I'm going to promise I
will flip to a map so you guys can put
some eyes on it.
Um
There is some commercial, residential,
institutional, and utility uses found in
the vicinity in in the town of North
Wilkesboro's jurisdiction as well. Um
there's also a few vacant properties and
an industrial property found in the
vicinity that's governed by the county.
So, I'm going to split back to this map
to kind of give you a general idea as
we've moved into zoning and the
discussion of the zoning districts.
So, to give the board a general idea,
here is your Rolling Pines disc, of
course, um parking lot.
The non-colored areas are all county um
governed parcels. So, you kind of got a
donut hole here correct currently. But,
the properties that are cross-hatched
are Wilkesboro Town of Wilkesboro's um
zoned properties. Um so, starting with
the town of North Wilkesboro, the zoning
in this area is primarily, as you can
see that R-6 high-density residential.
We have a little bit of office and
institutional to the south where the
Lincoln Heights School is,
um as well as um other a few other
parcels. And you've got to the
east of that parcel, you've got some
low-density residential R-10 zoned, but
primarily R-6.
Moving to the county,
unzoned properties, county development
regulations apply here on the
non-highlighted areas.
And then to the cross-hatched property
of our neighbor Wilkesboro, you've got
some cross-hatched. You've got some
suburban residential in red. You've got
some in light blue general residential.
And you've got a little bit of general
business
um designation here off of
Old US 421 here in the southwest
corner of this map.
So, moving on to this further
discussion, you've got your
consistency with the plan, the future of
this site, your surrounding land use,
and your surrounding zoning that we kind
of touched on.
Um
before we move any further, does any of
you guys have any questions for me
before we move into the planning
towards the determination?
>> [clears throat]
» Where are the cemeteries?
>> So, there is an identified cemetery that
is that was brought to two staff's
attention. You know, if I don't see
something directly on the map, it is
there that that is something that was
brought to my attention that is in the
vicinity of this parcel. That is I've
been told is not
part of any development on this parcel.
>> So, it is not on this parcel. Is it in
the
adjacent parcel?
>> I'm going to let the applicant speak to
that because I'm unaware of its
whereabouts. I think what's explained to
me is, correct me if I'm wrong, but is
it in this south corner here?
>> I believe so. It's not on the parcel.
>> It's not on the parcel, though. It's
not.
>> No.
>> Yeah.
>> So, it's the family
>> family cemetery.
>> I I I I would assume I'm I'm unaware, to
be honest. I would be honest about that.
Nothing visible from the road, so
you know, I I do try to take what I can
see, I try to take that into
consideration, but ultimately if there
is something that I'm unaware of, that
that's that would be something that I
would defer to the applicants to speak
more on.
So, going through these review criteria,
the planning board for the town of
Wilkesboro met on June 11th to consider
the request, and they made a formal
recommendation to deny the request, and
that agenda is that that recommendation
to deny is currently in your agenda
packet.
Um additionally, at the June 30th
meeting, 2026, the town of Wilkesboro's
planning board unanimously agreed with
the North Wilkesboro's planning board's
recommendation, and their attachment is
also found in your agenda packet.
Here is a copy of the planning board's
recommendation, and then an informal
email sent by the planning director,
planning and community development
director Andrew Carlton regarding
Wilkesboro's agreement with the town of
North Wilkesboro planning board
director, which
So, ultimately there tonight before you,
before we get obviously into a motion, I
know there will be some moments for a
public comment. Um
there are also goals and policies as
part of your motion that you are more
than welcome to remove or add to your
consistency statement if you feel the
need to do so. And without any further
comment, I'll turn it over to the board
for any comments from me or um comments
from the applicant and then ultimately
the public for any comments they have.
» Mhm, I'd like to
uh call on
Christina
Vanderbilt.
Just
» Hello.
Um
did you have questions first or did you
>> No, you signed up to speak. Tell us what
you
Just identify yourself, please.
>> My name is Christina Nicole Vanderbilt
and I'm here with my husband, Richard.
Um
we're here, of course, as they stated to
request removal of our property from the
ETJ of
North Wilkesboro.
Our property is approximately 5 acres.
It directly borders the one property
that is already in the Wilkes County
district.
Wilkesboro station.
Uh while other surrounding properties
have been in North Wilkesboro ETJ.
Sorry.
>> That's all right.
>> Okay.
>> Don't be nervous.
>> It's a big deal for
Um
I'm asking the board to recognize that
this is a unique
uniquely large parcel with the area
within the area and that the size of the
intended use
are different for the typical smaller
residential properties that are around
which are typically 1 acre or less.
Um our plans for the property are
primarily residential and family
oriented.
Um we intend to establish a private
homestead with our home residence
regarding our personal non-commercial
animals.
Um
there is also an important family reason
for how I plan to use the property or we
plan to use the property.
We have a son with autism and we would
like
eventually provide him a small home on
the property close enough to our own
home that we can
be there when he needs assistance while
still allowing him to have a safe and
appropriate degree of independence.
Our goal is not to separate him from the
family or leave him without our support.
Quite the opposite, we want to create a
living arrangement that allows him to
gain independence while knowing that his
family is nearby
and available when needed. Having his
home close to mine would allow me to
help with daily needs, emergencies, and
other situations
while giving him the dignity and
independence of having his own space. He
is turning 24 in just 2 months.
This is one of the reasons the size of
the property is so important to my
family.
I am trying to create a long-term family
homestead where
we can live close together, support one
another, and remain on the same property
while allowing each member of the family
an appropriate level of independence.
The other significant issue is the type
of home we would like to place on the
property.
Um the current R-6 zoning within the
North Wilkesboro ETJ does not allow Um,
a manufactured home. It only allows
modular or stick built homes.
Um,
the home that we
need for financial reasons to place on
there is a manufactured home on a
permanent foundation.
Um, we are seeking to place, uh,
I think the the substantially limits
This substantially limits my ability to
use my land in a manner that best fits
my family's needs and our financial
circumstances.
Um,
my request is
not simply about wanting fewer
regulations.
Um,
we are request requesting
to be um,
sorry.
My request is therefore
not about wanting fewer regulations. It
is about having the opportunity to use
our property for reasonable residential
purpose that is consistent with its size
and rural character.
If the property were returned to the
Wilkes County jurisdiction, I would
still be required to comply with the
applicable county requirements and
permitting
um, processes. We are fully willing to
do that and we are simply asking that
the land use rules governing my property
be those jurisdiction that is most
appropriate for the parcel and its
intended use.
We respectfully ask the board to
consider whether continued inclusion of
the parcel
is, uh, in the North Wilkes ETJ is
necessary to accomplish the town's
planning objectives, particularly when
property is outside the town's limit,
directly borders other county
jurisdiction properties, and is intended
for private residential and family use.
I am not asking for the town to
disregard planning, safety, or
environmental standards. We are just
asking for the opportunity to have a
property governed by the jurisdiction
that is most appropriate for its size,
character, and
intended use.
» Most of the Let me Let me ask you a
question
So, the issue here is the type of home
and its models.
The ADU laws with govern just within
>> Yes, right here.
>> ADU laws within the
allowed under state law would allow
additional dwelling units, correct?
>> Are you talking about under the current
zoning?
>> No, under the state law the ADU
>> So, if it's if it's the county, I I
wouldn't want to speak on the counties,
but for our side, R-6 does allow an
accessory dwelling unit, correct? It
would be attached, but yes, it does
allow for an accessory dwelling unit.
Um that is something that's being
addressed in in future ordinance change,
but as of right now, yes, we do allow an
accessory dwelling unit on the side. It
would just need to be attached.
>> The issue was the type of home.
>> And ultimately, you know, all removal of
the ETJs is is not just applicable to
the type of home. It's any future
development, any future complaints will
all
go to the counties for their
jurisdiction.
>> One other question
» For me?
>> Is manufactured homes part of this
uh
legal legal banking in the R-1 zone? Is
that considered in in the balance?
>> So, as far as you know, manufactured
homes are are limited to the R-20 zoning
district.
Yeah.
>> Is the UDA
>> Is that something that's going to be
changed in the UDA?
>> That No, no changes will be made in the
UDA as of right now.
>> Thank you.
All right, Mr. Chairman.
I have a question.
» I have a question for
>> Are you speaking about the
uh
I'm Juan Ragland.
>> Yes, I have a question.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Um would you
>> Would you mind stepping up here?
>> I'm certain.
I have a question for the applicants.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> I just quickly read it today, but there
was a section
that referred to like a farm.
Could you
sort of elaborate on that for me?
>> Uh I just have some chickens and um
we were looking to possibly get a goat
or um a horse. We just wanted to be able
to utilize that area.
>> And where is the planning on that?
You, if I'm correct, you're all the way
down to where the
uh
the dance studio used to be.
>> I'm not sure where that is, but we're
right on that corner.
>> Okay, so you're talking about the corner
of Lincoln Ave.
>> [cough]
>> Thank you.
That's all the questions I have.
>> But if the dance studio is considerably
farther down the hill, is it not? Does
the welding shop there?
>> Yeah, yeah, it it is. I I'd have to
defer to some neighbors on that one. I'm
not as familiar with that area.
>> Yeah, the dance studio's towards the end of the street.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> He's talking about the welding. What did
you just say?
>> Ma'am?
>> He mentioned the welding. What did you
just say?
>> Um he was talking about the dance
studio. Um all of that is down towards
the end of the road towards Lincoln
Heights, the actual school and the the
facility down there.
>> Can you pull that map up and show where
the building is located?
>> Yeah, I I can certainly point to there.
>> But you said it's on Lincoln Ave.
I think it's required
that it would have to answer on
» I can speak, you know, ultimately you it
is
that is an NCDOT road, um old US 421.
So,
» [clears throat]
>> yeah, and any kind of residential
permits do not require residential like
a driveway permit.
But it would be there would be
communication with NCDOT if there were any you know, we always
verify with them. What I've been
explaining is when it comes to
residential [clears throat] permits,
it would be there's there's no driveway
permits for residential construction.
Typically.
>> Do you mind showing her where those
parcels are so she can understand?
>> Yeah, so the parcel in question tonight
is where my highlighted red circle is
here. It's on the intersection here
where you got Old US 421 Road and
Lincoln Heights. The dance studio and
the requests are further south to this
parcel likely are not shown on this map.
» Well, you're talking about you're
talking about Wilkesboro
>> It's a welding shop
>> Oh, you're talking about the welding
shop. Okay, I wasn't aware that it was a
dance studio. Yes,
the welding shop is in actually
Wilkesboro's jurisdiction. It is zoned
general business and that's the town of
Wilkesboro.
>> But there is a considerable difference
in that.
>> No, so to right here there's a parcel
and my eyes
bear with me, but that parcel that's
2201756
right here my cursor that that's between
the welding shop and the requested parcel right here.
And this is an individual parcel here.
>> Okay.
Good evening.
But this mask annoys me. It is not
because I was thinking any of you are
infectious. It's because I'm in the
middle of having implants and the front
of me is missing. Now, if you can look
over that, I'd like to take the mask
off.
Okay.
My name is Yvonne Ryder.
I live in Wilkesboro
in [clears throat] Cable. So, you would
be my neighbor.
I am a little confused when you describe
it as rural.
Um
in the what Joseph was talking about
back to me about 4:30 because I have
five acres on
Do a road.
Two houses [clears throat] on them, lots
of trees, but it's zoned residential.
So
I just in what I read that there seemed
to be an emphasis on the fact that it
was uh
with rural characteristics.
>> [clears throat]
>> And like I I own the property
on the next block. Some of that vacant
land that you're referring to.
I own on one corner of Peace Street and
the across the corner which I believe
would be
Old 60.
So I own some of that vacant land he's
talking about.
Plus the five acres and two houses on Do
a Road.
So I pay my taxes.
And just so no one wants to get the idea
that this has a my objection
has anything to do with race, that's
simply not the case. I understand that
there are several Caucasians on Lincoln
Avenue already.
Um my lineage
includes my great-great-grandfather
was somebody you all know, the Reverend
>> Richard Barber.
>> Okay.
And on my mother's side
um
you probably know all of my relatives.
If you know somebody named Graham
[clears throat]
Barber, Harris, they're related to me.
Okay? Because that's the way.
I don't have any historians in the room.
And you
and I'm probably the oldest one. I'll be
89 in a couple of days. So therefore I
want to just
go back a little bit on history if
that's okay with you.
One of the things about
uh
being a person of color
which is how I choose to describe people
who look like me,
okay?
Uh was
years ago, the way you established
yourself as a person of color
with the primary Caucasian population
was land ownership.
It was important that we own land and it
would often be vacant land. And so, it
is no surprise at all that
>> [clears throat]
>> well, Larry, of course
he bought it as an investment. Who? You
bought it from his estate. But before
that, adjacent to your property is the
property that was owned by Dr. uh
Paisley.
>> Paisley.
I'm sorry.
Uh
the Redding property is across the
street and part of what she's talking
about.
In the olden days, okay?
Not only was it important that you own
land
and cuz that's how you sort of proved
your importance to the community
but Haygood
was a major part of Wilkes County of
Wilkesboro.
And it is
the farm part it is the residential
part that is important to me today.
Had I known that they were about to sell
the land, I would have bought it. Not
because I need any more land.
My son said no, but to preserve Haygood.
Because [clears throat] it's
the
it is the center of
what happened for people of color
in the 1800s and 1900s, too, to a large
degree, even now.
Cairo is the center of the population.
Even if you live in Fairmount, Cairo is
still referred to
as the center of what was important to
people of color.
And that is what I am asking you not
because
you are anything other than very nice
people,
but because we need to preserve history.
And Cairo is so important to our
community.
And residential is what Cairo was and
what we want to keep it to be.
Any questions?
>> I'm going to have to pause you. Your 5
minutes are up. I would describe you as
a beautiful lady.
>> Thank you.
>> Not a lady of color. And thank you for
speaking.
>> Thank you. Bless you.
Any other questions?
>> No.
>> Thank you.
On preserving the land,
how do you mean what what do you mean by
preserving the land?
>> You mean when I said what I just said?
>> Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. I'm just trying
>> For residential, for to build
at one point,
I was confused because
>> [clears throat]
>> I I said this is a plan
for that.
They zoned Lincoln Heights multi-family,
but yet when you go to rural, which is
just vast land,
um it's one thing.
So, you know, I'm kind of confused on
what the planning board has
planned. The rural zone
Well, there there isn't any rural.
>> No.
>> There there was and there still isn't
any road. It's just vacant land with
blocks of people.
Any questions from the community?
Thank you very much.
I have a question.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Uh I would like to know how far up
um
my
sister owns land
up near where the uh
gray spot is.
And I want to know how far up that you want to sell.
>> Can you show us where the gray spot is
on that map?
Can you come to the come to the large
map and show us?
>> The land is on
>> It's on Grayson Street.
>> Okay, so it's on Grayson Street.
>> No, it's on Grayson
>> Grayson You can see the Grayson Street
here. If you see the kind of
bottom third of the page, there with me.
Let me see if I can zoom up here.
>> I know it's above where my sister Ruby
Houston owns the land, and the grave
site is above
where her land is.
>> So, it's it's my understanding from
recent conversations that the the the area in question is is more in
this southern area where my house is.
>> Near where Ruby Ingram crossed the
street from where Ruby Ingram used to
live.
>> Yes. Yes.
» All right.
But we we haven't
identified specific where it is, so I'm
not sure.
» To answer your question, sir,
I am hoping basically that
it will remain residential.
And that if it is true that there was a
plan
to develop it further residential, that
it it wouldn't occur so.
When I made the statement about I would
have bought it to preserve it,
I would have
seen
uh what the planning department was
planning, and then I would have moved in
the direction of developing K bar.
I mean it's it's
There's people who want development again both kind of
all over the place, and they seem to be
particularly interested in K bar for
whatever reasons.
>> May
What was it?
>> No, no. I I don't know.
>> All right, that makes sense.
>> Yeah, I have two.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Well, that's fair.
>> Yeah, you did.
>> Thank you so much.
>> Thank you.
>> So, I would just like to ask a question.
Um
They had zoned
the area on Lincoln Heights
[clears throat] Street as a
residential.
>> Mhm.
>> They said no
trailers,
no um
you know, I can't even think.
No trailers, no um animals of no kind.
You couldn't do that. My grandparents
raised everything, pigs,
cows, chickens, and all. And then they
come along and said, "No.
Uh you have to give up everything."
So, if you're going to do
that, then everybody's included in uh
raising pigs and cows.
>> Just you have an answer for that?
>> Yes.
>> Yeah, I do. So, I can I can explain. So,
in town limits, there are limits to the
amount of farm animals that can be that
can be, you know, had on one parcel at a
given time.
Um and if you want to get into the
nuances of what that quantity is, cuz I
don't have the code ordinances right in
front of you, but that's a town code
um
something the town code addresses. In
the extraterritorial jurisdiction,
unless you're operating a farm,
and I I mean that by saying you know,
unless you're operating a commercial
farm,
the you know, how many chickens you have
and how many pigs and horses, you know,
it's obviously something that the zoning
administrator is going to look at, but
there's not like a you're limited to six
chickens. You decide to have a flock of,
you know, 30 and 30 chickens, you're
limited on the amount of land. Accessory
structures you might be able to have,
you might you're limited on the
on where those accessory structures are
located, being on the side or the rear
of the the home chosen.
Um you're also limited on there having
to be in a residential district a
residential use. So, you couldn't just
have a blank piece of land with
you know,
cattle. You know, there would have to be
some kind of association with, you know,
it's clearly a home and the animals on
that parcel are clearly tied to the
home.
But, when it comes to outside of the
town limits, there are not limits on the
amount of animals you can have. It's
just a matter of what the function of
the operation is.
» Can I say one other thing that I forgot?
I grew up on a farm in Illinois, so I
know all about farms.
>> [clears throat]
>> I know that sometimes when we think
we're going to start small, and then we
there and then we expand and we take on
more animals.
And um
you know,
chickens, fine. But, we grew up in Cairo
with the smell of the sewage and man,
whatever it was,
all the way over on Dula Road, man, it
stunk to high heaven.
Um and I know having grown up on a farm
that there are odors associated with
» [snorts]
>> Um did Mr. Murphy leave?
>> Just stepped out to the restroom.
>> [snorts]
» I'm on record.
>> [clears throat]
» Anybody else want to say anything?
It's your opportunity.
>> I will.
» Yes, sir.
Yes.
>> Um you want me to come up to the front
or just
>> Just come up. Come up.
And state your name.
>> All right.
Everybody uh my my name is Matt Bowles.
Um I am born and raised in North
Wilkesboro and
um actually with my brother and uh
fellow
applicants at Lincoln Heights, we are
running the old school and trying to use
it as a community center.
Um
with the current efforts, I I understand
where they're coming from. I actually
had
um a little small farm and I completely
understand where they're coming from. Um
but I in opposition of that, I look at
that as if
something like that is granted and I
know that there's other options
available. If something like this is
granted, what's it going to stop from
future people being able to move modular
homes because the next thing you know,
somebody's going to come in and say,
"Hey, they were able to do it, so can I
put that there?" And it's no disrespect
to you guys.
Um but we we're fighting right now to
try to revitalize the Lincoln Heights
area. Um we're wanting to use it for a
community-based
uh facility to where young people and
old people can come there and see
heritage and see growth, see not just
color, but see the community come
together, West County at large. And so,
um
I
I'm I'm I'm going 50/50 with this
because I I do I am sympathetic with the
farm um West County people who were born
and raised here on farms. So, I am
sympathetic, but this parcel of land is
right on the corner as you come into the
uh Lincoln Heights facility. So, my
brother's running the basketball
facility, and we're talking about trying
to revamp um that in order to revive our
lots in the neighborhood. And a lot of
people in the neighborhood are starting
to to
uh bring up their homes. You have some
of the older uh people here who have
been there forever, and they they have
smelled
the sewer that's been there, and ever
since I've been there I've smelled that.
So, adding to that is definitely not
going to uh be any any good. So,
what I'm looking at is like
if we have um my brother has people from
Mooresville, from Winston-Salem, from
everywhere coming into the Lincoln
Heights facility, these people they come
for for basketball, they come for the
dance studio, they come for their kids
to be watched there. And so, if the
first thing that they see uh is a a
farm, and I
knowing how farm is, you can try to keep
as much as you can looking good, but
horses, goats,
I've I've had them, they eat everything.
It turns into mud, and it just after a
while it's just it's that's all you're
going to see. Um no matter how much you
try to move them around, that's what
it's going to be. So, um
as I keep saying, I'm sympathetic to
them. It's just it's being right there
on the corner of Lincoln Heights Road,
it's going to kind of put a staple on
this is what this is what the community
is, this is what the um the the Cairo
area is about. And so, I just look at it
like if this right here is allowed, then
what's the next thing that's going to be
allowed on the next parcel of land
that's still there or going in behind
it? The people are going to start
saying, "Well, how did they How are they
able to do it and we're not able to?"
So,
I I want to make sure that that that
whole entire area just stays residential
so that way people there know that
there's heritage there that there the
people have been fighting for the
Lincoln Heights area, the Cairo area to
be as it has been from the beginning.
And and there's there's other places,
there's other areas in Wilkes County
that can be utilized for for farming.
But, right here on the corner of Lincoln
Heights Road, it's just going to set a
stable and a precedent of of this is
what the the community behind it is. And
so, as we're trying to build and get the
community more involved into it, it's
going to be tougher to allow
a stop from anybody else from being able
to come in and say, "Well, I'm I'm going
to buy another little piece of parcel
cuz these people did and they were able
to do this. And so, if they're able to
allow this to happen, what stops not
just a farm, but what stops the next the
next plan of action from coming in there
and being able to say, 'Well, this is
what we're going to do because they were
able to get that.'" And
I I apologize to to the family here and
I'm I'm sympathetic to them as as well,
but I also want to look out for the
community and Lincoln Heights community
deserves to kind of stay stay how it's
been. So,
I appreciate you guys' time. Thank you.
>> Well,
Mr. Parham,
I'd like to announce that by 4-1 vote,
the Wilkes County Commissioners
passed the $4 million
improvement
project
in partnership with North
Broadway Water Association. So,
a lot of people involved in that, so
thank you very much.
Mr. Parham.
» Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Y'all all know me, but for the record,
my name is Jim Burkey.
And I am I'm not here representing
Richard and his wife,
but when the planning board had a
meeting and denied their request
to put their house on their property, I
was extremely disappointed.
I voted for them to do it.
And in my humble opinion,
it's American.
You're not going to allow a man
to live in his home on his own property.
I mean, I understand
zoning,
and I don't want to put it that way,
but
this couple
I've heard the opinions of what they
think is going to happen, and that's an
opinion. That's not a fact. That's an
opinion.
That it it
will not turn into what they're talking
about.
We have a commentary. They have a son
with autism.
They have a son who is well known in the
community. He has a wheelchair, has
several problems. I'd do anything I I
can to make my son's life better.
And
what they're talking about is exactly
what they're trying to do.
They want a place for their son
to grow, to be as normal as humanly
possible, just like just like everybody
else.
Also, you need you got to think about
the the tax revenue.
They're putting a nice house on this
property.
values are going to go up.
Let's say it won't do
that. So, what tax values go up?
I mean, more folks will get more taxes from their property.
>> I don't know if we remember from the
APJ.
>> Mhm.
>> I mean, we don't get tax revenue from
the APJ anyway.
>> That's because it's in the county,
right?
>> It's the county.
>> The county would get more tax.
Property values would go up, so the
county would get more tax.
But I don't understand
why a man cannot put a house on his own
property.
I want to be down the road down the
street down there, you know, I don't
mean to offend anybody at all. Not
whatsoever.
But the house they going to build on the
property, they're going to build a nice
little house on the property.
It's brand new.
And they have a foundation to it.
It's not going to be a somebody mobile
home.
Second generation house they're going to
build.
It's a beautiful home.
So I'm pleading with you
to adopt a resolution to
allow him to put the house on the
property.
I have one other thing I wanted to talk
about.
I live in the ETJ.
Maybe they did it to stop the rumble
there. I am asking the board to adopt
ordinances
not to allow engine brakes
within the city limits including the
ETJ.
Those trucks come by my house.
It sounds like dynamite going off
when they got those engine brakes on.
And they going to have to have a public
hearing to
Okay.
I know what we're taking all the time on
this issue.
>> All right, I understand
But that's that's that's it. That's what
I wanted to say. I was just
um
Just you know,
put your heart in the right place.
I think that these people
They're going to They want to do the
right thing.
They really really do. They want to do
the right thing.
I don't know what they uh
Those are the
If they decided to sell that property,
could a
business come in
and build business there?
>> Um are you talking in its current state?
So, the current ordinance R6
high-density residential, you know, as
it's as it's name, it's primarily geared
towards residential uses. There are a
few commercial uses allowed in the
current R6 density residential.
>> If they were to sell to a developer,
and they want to build
condos.
>> So, you know, obviously you're looking
at one home per parcel
with an ability to do an accessory
dwelling unit.
But, any any more than the density of a
single-family home would likely require
some kind of subdivision.
Um there is
>> there any road?
>> There is street frontage there, and
ultimately when you say condominiums, I
mean, I I would say at its present
state, um
the, you know, I I have to see plans
before that. You know, it's right single
high-density residential. The reason why
the name is high density is typically
those are 6,000 sq ft lots.
If you can get 6,000 sq ft lots, you
could have a substantial amount of
single-family homes. Obviously, you've
got some topographical challenges here
because it's not, you know, there is no
connection to sewer currently. Even if
the sewer's available, you've got, you
know, you've got septic field
requirements.
Um but, yes, the truth is its current um
its current
location does have the ability to
connect to town sewer. And yes, the R6
district would allow for 6,000 sq ft
lots if you can get the street frontage.
>> Could there be something they sold the
land
there could be something coming in
that would be maybe even more acceptable
to the landowner.
>> Ultimately, if it's permitted in that R6
district, yeah. I would just say the R6
district in general is more conducive to
single-family residential homes. So,
yeah. More residential than that.
>> Glad you don't.
>> I appreciate it.
Thank you.
I'm I'm not I'm not trying
to be
nitpicky here,
but in to Mr. Perkins' statement,
saying we're not trying to tell these
people they can't put a home on this
piece of property.
The question is is
whether it's
a manufactured home, which is not
allowed in R-6,
and or some other type of either modular
or stick-built home. Now, I know that
there's cost, and I and I understand
that,
but I don't want anyone in this room to
feel like this board
is denying this couple the ability to
put a home
on this piece of property, because we're
not. It's It's It's the type of home,
and that really is
kind of what it boils down to. I would
love
to see this couple purchase that piece
of property,
and you know, do it with a house that is
allowed in this particular zoning, and
become part of this community, because I
know a lot of people in this Kero
community. I've worked with a lot of
people over at the Lincoln Heights
um school and the program and all of
that and the history that's involved
with it. It's a great community.
>> I agree.
>> them to add an addition to their
community, regardless of who it is,
you know, but
zoning, unfortunately,
is kind of a It's kind of an issue that
you know, it it's we're kind of
defined by boundaries.
And so, I personally
am the one that believes in the ETJ as
far as respect to us being able to
uh oversee,
you know, how areas that are directly
connected around our
immediate town boundaries, you know, are
developed and what is [clears throat]
the best use for that. Now, I know
people disagree with it and that's
unfortunate, but it is just a fact of
life. Life is about disagreement at
times.
But, the thing is is you you make a
statement about Again, I'm not picking
on you, Jim. I'm just I'm just making
some statements, okay?
Um
if you change this property and remove
it from the ETJ, okay, and then it
becomes part of the county's So,
the county's
overseeing of property is much, much
different than the town's. So,
therefore, let's say something with this
couple they changed Valley Road and we
removed it from the ETJ. Then, someone
could come in on that property and
whatever the county allows on that type
of property would be allowed and and the
residents would have no say, the town
would have no say. So, therefore, you
know, the protection for the community
um would be diminished. And so,
again,
I would love to see this couple move
into that community.
Um but, you know, we have to follow, you
know, to me I want to protect the ETJ
and not just in the Cairo area, but in
all of our ETJs that we have around the
entire town.
And so, you know, it's it's
I I just needed to make that statement
cuz I like I said, I don't want it to
seem like we are cold-hearted and and
not trying to help them, but it's, you
know, unfortunately,
in this circumstance,
this is where we are.
» For For
Joseph, I just want to make sure I'm
understanding this.
>> Perfect. And I want to clarify some
statements that have been made about a
quote farm.
So, I live here inside of this city
limit. Yeah. Right on Garden Street.
I can have chicken.
I can have goat.
I can have
one.
>> Yeah.
>> [laughter]
>> one.
>> Yep.
>> Up to a certain size. So, I can, by all
measures of the law our policy,
have a farm within the city limits.
Whether they do this on that property or
not, you guys can. If If you live there,
you can have chicken, you can have a
pig, you can have a goat. You guys can
do that
should you wish.
The clarification and the difference
here,
specifically, is the manufactured home,
a mobile home. It In In my understanding
of this
entirely.
>> So, to provide like a big picture, like
you're asking, so yes, in town limits
there's restrictions on the amount of
farm animals.
>> I cannot have a commercial farm. I can't
cuz this is for myself only.
>> Yeah, and that would be the same here is
that you can't have a commercial farm in
that, you know, but you there isn't like
a limit on the amount of
goats and chickens. There you could I
mean, someone have 20 chickens. Again,
some people have larger families, they
might want to have You You are limited
in the town code to the amount of
animals you can have. In the ETJ,
because it's not part of the town code
and zoning applies, the only thing that
would apply to that is the use of the
property. If someone is operating a
agricultural business,
again, it's it's a case-by-case
situation, but if someone is operating
actual farm and they're there is a
business and they have, you know,
increased traffic and all these things.
I'm not talking about one person showing
up and then buying dozens of it. Cuz I'm
talking about, you know, an actual
operation. Then yes, that would be
restricted because again, it's in our
state's high-density residential. But
what starts getting restricted in the
ETJ, you've got fence standards. You've
got fence height standards. You've got
fence type standards. You've got It's
where accessory dwelling units can be
located. You've got where accessory
structures can be located. You've got
separation between accessory structures.
You have the amount of accessory
structures. All these things fall under
the zoning ordinance.
Removal of this parcel says
ultimately, you know, going back to what
the mission of a parcel does prevent the
town from having any say on what this
property does. Currently, the say that
the town has is zoning and that is
basically restricted to use and
restricted to, you know, uses allowed in
R6. If they're permitted by right or
they're permitted with supplemental
standards and those uses meet them, it
doesn't matter what it is. Removal of
this means that, you know, ultimately,
no one comes to me and gets a permit
anymore. Um now, going back to the farm
animals, I do want to reiterate that
booth.
I'll let you do that.
Sorry.
Um I do want to reiterate that yes, farm
animals are allowed in the ETJ as they
are allowed in town limits. The
difference is town limits restricts the
amount of farm animals. And if you guys
actually look to the screen right there,
you can see this section right here.
This is actually a satellite image
property. So, as
whatever reason down the road when this
property uh
in the past when this property was
annexed in, they're now held to those
town town code standards. So, the amount
of farm animals. Um
any connection to sewer would require
annexation. Again, that would bring you
to the town code.
Currently, on the town code, I can
enforce the height of the grass and I
can tell people they need to mow their
grass if it's over height. In the ETJ,
that's not something. Those are police
powers. So, it kind of gives the public a general
idea of the difference between the
zoning and the town. The
town is In the town, you have police
powers. You have noise ordinances. You
have, you know, you have
those things that apply. And in the ETJ,
you don't have police powers. So, it's
all with the county, but you do have
that zoning
restrictions. Does that answer your
question?
>> Yeah. Yeah. So,
to to agree, and it's still the
differentiating factor here is the
mobile home. Because in our ETJ, that is
what is not allowed. Everything else is
allowed within standards.
The mobile home is the the one
differentiating factor, and that's what
you're requesting guys to have in our
town, correct?
>> The the the alternate option would be
manufactured housing is allowed in our
jurisdiction in our in the R-20 zoning
district.
Um this property does not sit adjacent
to or abutting our R-20 district. So, we
do allow manufactured homes, it's just
the zoning doesn't allow for
manufactured housing.
Yeah.
>> So, in order to do R-20, it would be
considered a spot zone.
>> You'd have to rezone it, yeah, correct.
And then you'd have to defend that spot
zoning request.
>> And it would be hard.
>> Yes.
>> I know it.
>> Multi-thousands of fees.
>> Yeah, I you know, I try my best when
putting together these maps to give, you
know, a kind of a bird's-eye view of the
surrounding zoning. There's only so much
you can fit on a map before I'm going to
give you guys all
like that. I really do try to be, you
know, specific about this entity and
above and adjacent. I can't zone
Unfortunately, cannot zoom out so far to
where you see all of the zoning
districts in our in our district
without, you know, confusing the public.
I'm trying to be realistic with what
they can see on these maps.
>> And currently in our ETJ, that's mobile
homes are not allowed.
>> [clears throat]
>> And I know this has come to our our
table. Currently in the ETJ, mobile
homes are not allowed at all.
>> Are they not?
>> They are.
>> Yeah, in the zoning district, R-20.
>> In our ETJ as well.
>> Right. There's no R-20 inside our
corporate boundaries, but there is R-20
in our ETJ.
>> Okay.
So, this
>> Yeah.
>> This zoning is R-20.
>> It's not allowed.
>> I don't know. It's going to be very
difficult.
>> It's a spot zone.
>> I I do want to pipe in and say, you
know, nothing stops R-20 from being
sought again in town. And it's it's
simply
from this zoning. You got to put a
policy in put it on.
>> And I think we've been pretty consistent
in not allowing it, and I think we have
to
I don't know why, but we need to be
consistent in that.
I would just say, echoing
Commissioner Parsons a little bit, and
Matt, I'm sorry I can't remember your
last name.
>> Golds.
>> What you said about
I worry about
the precedent set
by letting somebody just leave the ETJ.
I do you think it could open I mean, how
would we say no to
anyone who came and wanted to do it?
And I think we'd have a hard time.
» How about this?
That's the problem because they did away
with the ETJ, so
Did you have something, Ms. Cole?
>> I think that lady's got her hand up.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> We start with chickens and horses and
goats. Suppose it expands to pigs and
others.
Is there any restriction on that?
>> No, ma'am.
>> So, you know, you know
>> There are no additional restrictions,
but it is allowed.
>> And and and I would go as far as saying,
you know, I without getting into the
weeds on this, bonafide farms in the ETJ
is a statutory 160D allowance. If you
establish yourself as a bonafide farm in
the ETJ, zoning does not have any
regulations.
Um that is something that was
established in 160D. So, again, farming
is allowed in the ETJ
to meet the bonafide farm requirement,
there are a few, you know, required
There are a few allowances that is
specific to the ETJ. Bonafide farms
means building and zoning regulations do
not apply. Um I'm not suggesting that
there is a request of bonafide farms,
but I do want to reiterate that in the
ETJ, if you establish yourself as a
bonafide farm, zoning does not apply.
>> This one.
>> Um I'd like to clarify something.
Currently, at the current zoning,
I'm allowed to have chickens and goats
and pigs and horses on the property as
it is right now.
So,
taking it out of the ETJ would not
change that.
So, if if we we already bought the
property.
If we had a different home placed on it,
you could still have the farm we're
talking about.
The only difference is is that I can get
a manufactured home as opposed to a
modular home.
And the only difference with that is the
pitch of the roof.
That's the only difference.
» And the property
>> I mean, there's there's different
standards on building, but they are
built
almost exactly the same aside from the
pitch of the roof.
They are on a permanent foundation. They
are a home.
And it doesn't change anything about the
farm that we're going to have.
Whether they allow it or not.
>> So, that's just something to think
about.
>> Yes,
as I learned about this situation and
thought about it,
something
that was a concern for me is
often have people ask me like, "Why
would you want to live in town cuz we
pay double taxes?" You know, well, we
have police and we can get there quickly
and fire and they scrape the roads, but
one thing that I've learned from doing
this job is when you live in town, I
think one of the things is that you have
a zoning. Because if you're in the
county, you don't have a zoning. For
people that I don't know if I agree with
zoning, but you know, for people that
like it and want to have some rules and
regulations, I think they move into town
and I feel like if we take the property
out and of the ETJ,
then it sets a precedent that other
people might want to do that and I just
think it's bad for our city.
» All right, we're going to exit the
public hearing.
Do we have a motion to the board?
This is Mayor, I'm going to make a
motion, please.
>> Yes.
>> I move to adopt the proposed consistency
statement dated August 4, 2026 contained
in the agenda materials and to deny the
removal of parcel ID 220
3757 off of
Old US 421 Road and Lincoln Heights Road
from the town of North Wilkesboro's
extraterritorial jurisdiction.
You'd also need me to
read the consistency statement at the
bottom of the
>> No, no, that that that will suffice. You
don't need No need. The request would be
if you add anything to the goals and
policies, but
here and now, that's
>> Well, I have a second.
>> I second.
>> Second.
>> All right.
All in favor?
>> Aye.
21 vote.
I want to say
I didn't know that.
You're the second mother that has
approached me this week with an autistic
child. So, I feel for you.
Anything we can do
to help you.
And I know that's not solace here.
But
please know that.
Thank you.
All right.
Mr. Davis
» Good evening, Mayor and council.
I'm here representing the Community
Development Department. I have two
separate road closure requests. The
first is for Food Truck Fiesta on
Saturday, October 24th. The event itself
is from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The road
closure request is from 3:00 p.m. until
midnight.
It would be for Main Street, C Street,
and 9th Street. Good job.
And there is a map of the pleasure
request and ordinance in your city
department.
>> Just read 1 2000 to protect her and then
they hit since day one.
It is
a big boost.
And it it has been a
I mean, to see the kids costume and the
support of
groups that come and
participate.
It's It's Yeah.
I've been on that one every one of them
and they are
fun. Thank you. Really fun. And it
provides a safe environment for the
kids.
And um
So, yeah. I'm It's
I'm very supportive of
the groups of the group that does this.
» We've both had them again.
>> Now, what do you say?
» I'll make a motion.
>> So moved.
>> I'll second.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> Aye.
>> And so, the second request is for
lighting downtown. It is scheduled for
Friday, November the 20th. The event
itself is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The
road closure request is from 3:00 p.m.
to 11:00 p.m. And again, it'd be for
Main Street, B Street, and Ninth Street.
» Again, another very successful event.
>> Mr. Mayor, I make a motion to approve
the street closure ordinance for the
26th lighting of downtown event.
>> Second. Second.
>> All in favor?
>> Aye.
>> Thank you.
>> We uh
We're just I'm a public hearing.
What do we do?
Are we going to have them too?
Well, we're just calling for a public
hearing on that, I believe.
Was that the
That's correct. And then you want to do
>> Yeah, it's just the introduction and we
have to call for a public hearing.
>> you can save all your questions for that
night.
>> Yeah, I was going to say yeah, we need
to talk.
>> I have a motion to call for a public
hearing on the ordinance.
>> I'm trying to base it on the wildlife
feeding ordinance.
>> Mr. Mayor, I make a motion to call for a
public hearing on August 27th for the
wildlife feeding ordinance.
>> Second that.
>> All in favor?
>> Aye.
>> Do I have a motion to adjourn?
>> Hold on.
>> Oh, sorry.
>> Do we have any information on the the
ordinance?
>> On the wildlife ordinance?
>> Yeah, that's what I was talking about.
>> I apologize, but I thought that's what
the public hearing was for.
>> No, we
» See, I'd like to talk to you about it.
>> So, typically the state statutes
requires that any new ordinance first be
introduced
and then during that introduction period
we can call for the public hearing and
then have a public hearing and then we
can vote.
>> Take it away, Amy.
It's my understanding that we've
actually had some
folks who have identified that we have
some wildlife problems in the greenway.
As a result have folks putting out dry
food and those sorts of things.
A couple of different species of
wildlife have
near the folks who are walking the greenway.
So,
we discussed and identified
that there are
ordinance options
uh that can address those feeding
concerns and hopefully will learn how we
can
better protect our
walking
areas. So,
um
hence the reason for you
presentation to us.
» Yeah, I can just
speak to First of all, I do want to say
there is a current group
that is responsible. So, I'm going to
state this clearly in the front. There
is a current group that has been taking
care of the feral
cats
>> which at
>> the Greenway
>> at Smooth Park.
>> And they do
>> So, we are this this this is a way to
kind of
codify this so that
the people that are supposed to be
feeding
the animals continue. We're not taking
that away. We're not
wanting to hurt
the cats.
Um
I I'm the one that experienced
the raccoon on the side of the Greenway
with my wife in a walk one evening.
And it was deep enough down
uh on the Greenway that
um
you know, it it
the raccoon
although did not exhibit aggressiveness,
it also did not exhibit shyness.
And when you are 5 ft
from a raccoon that's looking at you
while it's munching on dry cat food,
um
it's a little unnerving.
And so, um
the current gentlemen that are feeding
the cats
at Smooth Park,
they currently go in, they feed the
cats, they clean up their mess, and they
exit the property.
» [clears throat]
>> This is this was a pile of food
approximately
a plate size
that was just dumped on the dirt. So,
you know, it's
we we've already had an incident where a
rabid animal
had some issues with
>> [clears throat]
>> people using the greenway. So, it's just
The greenway, as Andrew has said many, times, is our one of our crown
jewels of this town.
And
I want it to be I want people to be able
to use it and feel safe.
You know,
I want to, you know,
I I think so. I think that's why we kind
of
um
are talking about it. And this this
ordinance is going to have to have some
guidelines and a permitting process.
So,
um
I I think it's
what we're considering.
>> I'm concerned of my friends who walk in
the greenway. The ordinances that were
out there and there's
They have peanuts that just ain't you
know, they set them on the railings for
the
squirrels to get, for the birds to get,
and they feed those dogs and
I mean, the squirrel, I mean,
I understand what Michael's saying
because if you start dumping a big pile
of food, that's that's one thing. But,
for the folks who are just have a
little bag and I think rather
we won't be arresting those folks.
>> Mhm.
>> Can you put Can you put that aside? I I
understand I'm I'm just wondering how
recent it is. Yeah, how we can figure
that part out and make it
um
I'm it's
I've seen what Michael's saying.
>> And I'll go a little bit further. In
neighborhoods where people feed deer, my
neighbors do it out of good heartedness,
but you're taking the and away from its
natural habitat, they become more
aggressive, they start
you know
Thank you.
>> [laughter]
>> You know, instead of relying on their
natural habitat, so I'm anxious to see
what you guys do with this because it's
a real problem and the more they
congregate, the more likely they are to
have chronic wasting disease.
» [laughter]
>> There are some exceptions like one of
them is bird feeders.
And so we can look into adding
>> Is it the people feeding the bird or
the house
>> it's actually the placement of bird
feeders. Um that's an exception. You
don't have to get a permit to do that.
Um but we can look at an exception like
that if you would want to discuss it.
And I do mention to you that there are
penalties,
um both civil penalties, fines, and then
ultimately it could be a misdemeanor. Um
this does equip though our police force
with authority that if there was a
situation that arose that they did need
to take action that they do have
specific authority under this ordinance.
So it it does protect them and us in in
the town as it stands right now.
>> And is this is this specifically for
public land or
>> Yes.
>> Yeah, we we are on the
>> We will see there's more exceptions like
your own like hunting, trapping,
education,
garden gardening, agricultural, those
types of things are all exceptions.
>> Are there any state or federal laws
against feeding wild animals?
>> I actually looked into that quite a bit.
There are
um there are but none that
>> It depends on the intention.
>> Yeah, it kind of yeah, it kind of can
depend. So we're we're able to put this
into place without violating those, but
they actually do not recommend putting
it on the
state or or federal property.
» I have a motion. Mr. Mayor, I make a
motion we adjourn this
Second
Good luck to the two of you on your
coming up to Wildlight.
All in favor
Good job.
It's okay. We got it out. It's good.
Yes, sir.
Huh?
All in favor