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RANDOLPH COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
February 6, 1990
There was a meeting of the Randolph County Planning
Board on Tuesday, February 6, 1990, at 7 : 00 p.m. , in the
Public Hearing Room, County Office Building, 707 McDowell
Road, Asheboro, North Carolina.
1 . Chairman Charles Adams called the Randolph County
Planning Board meeting to Order at 7 : 00 p.m.
2. Hal Johnson called roll of the Board members:
Charles Adams, Chairman, present; Aweilda Little,
Vice Chairman, present; Lynden Craven, present;
Doyle Stout, present; Bill Dorsett, present; Jim
Routh, present; Arlie Culp, Alternate, present; and
Maxton McDelt1 ,_Altein_ate, absent .
3 . Doyle Stout made the motion, seconded by Jim Routh
to approve the Minutes of the January 9, 1990
Planning Board meeting. The motion passed.
Hal Johnson, Planning Director, announced the order of
items scheduled on the agenda for the approximate 200+
citizens in attendance. Johnson explained that Rezoning
recommendations from the Planning Board would be forwarded to
the Randolph County Board of Commissioners for final decision
after Public Hearing on March 5, 1990 .
`., 4 . aPE.ciAT, g$E PERMIT :
MARY-BELLE SIMMONS , Staley, North Carolina,
requested a Special Use Permit for a Rural Family
Occupation to operate a used automobile sales lot
in front of her residence located on approximately
3 acres on SR 2469 (Brown' s Crossroads Road)
approximately 3 miles south of Staley Post Office,
Columbia Township, Zoning Map #8733, Zoning
District Residential Agricultural (RA) .
Mary-Belle Simmons was present at the hearing and
told the Board that she planned to have approxi-
mately 5-10 vehicles parked at her residence for
sale. Simmons added that she would be required (by
the State) to locate a 10 ' x 12 ' metal building for
a sells office (this is a minimum requirement to
obtain a dealers license) .
Hal Johnson stated that a condition of the Special
Use Permit would be that it not run with the land,
and that the permit is only issued to Simmons and
would not be transferable.
There was no one present in opposition to this
request.
Jim Routh made the motion to approve this Permit
with the restriction of a maximum of 5 cars located
on the property for sale.
Lynden Craven expressed his opinion of the
restriction being too strict considering this was a
Special Use Permit. Aweilda Little stated that
since Simmons was asking for 5-10 cars, she felt
February 6, 1990 Page 1
the Board should consider allow 10 cars on the
property for sale .
Routh ' s motion died for lack of a second.
Lynden Craven made the motion to approve this
Permit with the restriction of no more than 10 cars
allowed on the property for sale at any one time.
Aweilda Little seconded this motion and the motion
passed with a 6/1 vote (Jim Routh voted against the
motion) .
5. REZONING-R UESTS
A: TPM DEVELOPMENT, INC. , Asheboro, North
Carolina, is requesting that approximately
90 .5 acres located on Hwy 220 approximately
2000 ft. south of Hwy 220/SR 1131 inter-
section, Richland Township, be rezoned from
Residential Agricultural to Heavy Industrial/
Conditional Use. Zoning Map #7666. It is the
desire of the applicant to operate a business
of automobile racing/drag strip. Chester
Branson, Branson Properties, Property Owner .
Walker Moffitt, Secretary of TPM Development,
and Chester "Chet" Branson, Property Owner ,
was present at the meeting. Moffitt stated
that this property, of 90+ acres, with its
present zoning, of RA, posses a real dilemma
for the property owners. From 1957 to 1969 a
drag strip was operated on this property with
no trouble or complaints. TPM' s proposal is
to construct a 660 ft (1/8 mile) track with
International Hot Rod Association (IHRA)
sanctioning for pro and semi-pro racing teams.
National events, grudge runs (street car
racing) , and swap meets (vendors selling
parts, racing, car show type activity) would
be entertained at this location. This track
would be the home base for approximately 20-25
pro and semi-pro racing teams. Moffitt
explained how the Community would benefit from
this type of development. TPM would allow the
Jaycee' s and other non-profit organizations to
use their facilities for fairground purposes,
etc . to raise money for worthy causes. The
proposed facilities would not operate before
1 : 00 p.m. on Sundays and no later than 11 : 30
p.m. any night. The majority of the time the
track would only be open 2 days a week , 3
weekends a month, and 7 months out of the
year. The facility would provide 2 exit lanes
and 1 entrance lane for traffic . The State
Road the entrance/exits would front on would
more than adequately accommodate the expected
1500 vehicles (maximum) visiting the facility.
Moffitt stated that Lex Kelly, District DOT
Engineer, advised that this track would cause
no problems to the proposed By-Pass 220
project. Moffitt expressed TPM' s cooperation
to provide ample buffers and setbacks for the
facility. Approximately 20 persons would be
employed for the business and the tax base
would be increase approximately $250,000 with
more as the business expands. Moffitt pointed
out that directly across the street from this
location a 11 . 5 acre tract was rezoned, by
this Board, for a truck leasing facility, and
within 800 ' of this site there is a mixture of
Residential Agricultural , Residential
Restricted, and Light Industrial Zoning.
Moffitt stated that he was advised by Hal
Johnson that Commercial and Industrial growth
is most favorably compatible along major
February 6, 1990 Page 2
highways. Moffitt answered the question of
how this would effect property values by
addressing Caraway Speedway. Moffitt said
that one of the nicest subdivisions in
Randolph County sold 300+ lots within 3 years
for $10 ,000+ (each lot) within 1/4 mile from
Caraway Speedway (Moffitt added that this
statement could be confirmed in the Register
of Deeds Office) . This 90 acre tract lends
itself to 3 problems when trying to develop it
residentially. (1) Salem Leasing Rezoning
(lack of interest to purchase residential
sites near this trucking terminal that test
motors by running a motor wide open for a
minimum of 5 hours) , (2) The By-Pass 220
project (will cut this property in such a way
as to land lock some of it and the lack of
desire to live near such a well traveled 4
lane by-pass) , and (3) Septic Tank
Requirements (records with the Randolph County
Health Department has shown this area to have
primarily poor soil) . In answering concerns
of noise and air pollution, Moffitt stated
that the type of cars that would be used at
this drag strip would only be a little louder
than a regular street car and the air would
not receive any more pollution than from the
cars travelling on the By-Pass. Moffitt stated
that this business was a part of this
community for many years and to be opposed to
industrial development could cause problems
such as Asheboro experienced with the Cox
Property on North Fayetteville Street .
Moffitt stated that 4 different uses were
proposed for this area and it ended up
becoming a large mobile home park; if the
opposers of industrial development (in that
area) had their rathers now they would have
preferred the original plan for development.
Randolph County' s major benefits from such a
project would be more tax dollars, growth, and
new jobs . This type of facility would also
bring people into the County for over-night
stay. Moffitt presented the Board with aerial
photographs of this area. The density level
has not really changed significantly since the
operation of the last drag strip. The nearest
residences to the drag strip would be approxi-
mately 2000 ft. The largest attendance
expected would be 2000 spectators. The racing
area would be fenced and white pines would be
plant on the property (for a buffer) to assist
in noise control .
Chet Branson, property owner , expressed his
interest in the chance to give the young
people something to do. Motorsport is the
largest spectator sport in America and it was
his plan to build a first class track.
Branson added that concerning property values,
he imagined anyone present would like to own 5
acres around Charlotte Motor Speedway or
Daytona Speedway. Branson presented the Board
with a petition (that he got up in one day) of
277 names in favor of this request.
Norman Dewhart, owner and operator of
Farmington Race Track , stated that this track
never has had any noise complaints and that
the high school band will raise the decibel
level higher than a drag strip would.
Farmington also operates a cruisers night to
help ease the problems of cruisers in Davey
County; 400 young people with approximately
250 cars participate. Davey is a dry County
February 6, 1990 Page 3
and Farmington experiences no problems with
alcohol . Dewhart added that this track fronts
on a 2-lane road and has no traffic problems.
Chairman Adams asked persons in favor of this
request to stand, approximately 125+ people
stood.
Chairman Adams asked for persons in opposition
to speak .
Pete Oldham, Attorney in Asheboro,
representing adjoining property owners, stated
that this Board would need to look not only at
the benefits but the detriments of this type
of development. Oldham stated that it was his
opinion that this project would not
substantially increase the tax base . Oldham
explained that most of the people that live in
this area are working class persons that go to
work and are only at home during the evenings
and on weekends and should be able to enjoy
this time at home . This type of development
would be a radically different use and would
have no direct relationship with the present
or proposed uses in this Community. Oldham
presented the Board with a petition of 403
names of persons from this Community and
persons that come to this Community for Church
activities who are opposed to this type of
development in this area.
Joe Farlow, Asheboro, stated that he moved to
this Community in 1951 and remembers the old
drag strip. Farlow stated that there was not
a Planning Board or Zoning at that time to
complain to about noise or anything else.
There were numerous wrecks and at least one
person killed at the old strip. Farlow said
he believed that the cars of today are much
louder than the cars raced at that time and
also this will cause significant traffic
problems. Farlow stated that in order to get
to this proposed drag strip people will have
to cross his property using an 800 ' easement.
Farlow ended by saying that if property values
will be enhanced as Moffitt says, he could not
understand why Moffitt wouldn' t build this
track in his backyard.
Allen & Kay Copple, adjoining property owners,
expressed their concerns of property values
and the disturbances Grace Baptist Church will
have to deal with.
Billy Berry, Ester Hicks, and Clinton
Richardson, addressed the Board and expressed
there interest in this type of development.
Richardson stated that this is an enjoyable
clean sport. Berry said that if these young
teenage boys had a place to race their cars
maybe it would spare some innocent family from
being a victim on these back country roads.
Hicks stated that she had lived in this area
all her life and that activities of interest
to the young people could perhaps prevent
young people from venturing into trouble.
Aweilda Little, Board member, asked for a show
of hands of people in favor of this request
that live wit B_ _l mile_r_asiiiks of this site
-there were 5 people. Little asked for a show
..., of hands of people Q.ppQsed to this request
that live within a l_Lndi_e_x_a_3 of this site
-there were approximately 50 people.
February 6, 1990 Page 4
Jim Routh, Board member, stated that he lives
within 2 miles of Caraway Speedway and that
the noise problems did not bother him that
bad, but that the traffice is a serious
problem.
Aweilda Little expressed her understanding of
both side of this issue and went on to say she
wanted the citizens to understand how
difficult a decision this would be for both
the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners .
Doyle Stout stated that the job of this Board
was not only to promote and bring business in
to the County but to also protect the
adjoining property owners and Community.
Bill Dorsett said that he believed that those
people present at the meeting (in favor of the
request) and not living in the immediate
vicinity were primarily looking for a drag
strip to be located somewhere in Randolph
County (and not just only at this specific
site) . Dorsett said that the Board must weigh
the request as it relates to the impact on
this specific Community.
Doyle Stout made the motion to recommend to
the Commissioners that this request be denied
because the noise, traffic, and general
operations connected with drag racing could
pose a hazard to the existing residential uses
in the area. Jim Routh seconded this motion
and the motion passed unanimously.
B: SAFETY KLEEN CORPORATION , Kevin Schmuggerow,
Project Manager, Stage Properties, Stephen
Shavity, Agent, Greensboro, North Carolina, is
requesting that approximately 6.5 acres
located to the rear of the Safety Kleen
existing facility on SR 1616 (Old Mendenhall
Road) , Trinity Township, be rezoned from
Residential Agricultural to Light Industrial/
Conditional Use. Zoning Map #6798. This
would allow re-location of above ground
storage tanks and expansion of parking
facilities .
Kevin Schmuggerow was present at the hearing
and explained that Safety Kleen Corporation is
the largest recycler of solvents in the USA.
There are 173 facilities of Safety Kleen
throughout the continental USA. This site is
a transfer facility where these solvents would
be stored until enough supply is built up to
move the materials to Lexington, North
Carolina, where they will be recycled. Safety
Kleen wishes to re-locate 2 original tanks,
replace to old tanks, and add an additional 2
tanks for a total of 6 tanks. This would be a
state of the art tank farm. At present time
the old tanks sit on a concrete pad and the
new tank farm will have tanks designed to sit
on legs (off the ground) so the tanks could be
inspected completely at any time. This would
create a much safer tank farm than the present
farm.
Bill Dorsett, Board member, asked Schmuggerow
if there would be any underground piping .
Schmuggerow stated that all the piping would
be above ground.
Schmuggerow explained plans of paving a small
February 6, 1990 Page 5
side road and parking area and remodeling a
large older building on the property for
office spaces . The total renovations planned
will cost in the 100 ' s of 1000 ' s of dollars.
Dorsett asked what storage capacity would the
tanks have. Schmuggerow stated that there
would be 2 2,000 gallon tanks and 4 20,000
gallon tanks . These tanks will be equipped
with high level alarms and many safety
precautions to prevent over flows, to aid in
the case of a fire, etc. Safety Kleen will
meet all State and Federal Regulations.
There was no one present in opposition to this
request .
Doyle Stout made the motion, seconded by
Aweilda Little, to recommend to the Commis-
sioners that this request be approved as
compatible with the Land Development Plan for
this area .
C: CHARLENE HICKMAN , Winston-Salem, North
Carolina, is requesting that approximately 1
1/2 acres located on SR 2408 (Brown' s Meadow
Road) just south of the railroad tracks,
Liberty Township, be rezoned from Residential
Agricultural to Light Industrial/Conditional
Use. Zoning Map #8718 . It is the desire of
the applicant to renovate an existing building
for a wood working shop (2,000 sq. ft. ) with
six employees (Frank H. Brown - Property
Owner) .
Mike Mocksinger, represented Charlene Hickman,
and explained to the Board that this would be
a family operation. Mocksinger plans for a
full-time business of building pallets. The
family proposes to renovate a small old
residence.
James Stephens was present in opposition to
this request . Stephens expressed concerns of
noise, sewer & water availability to the
building, and the excess wood from this type
of operation. Mrs. Stephens presented
pictures of the old building to the Board.
Hal Johnson stated that the Planning Office
had received numerous phone calls from persons
who share these same complaints. Also these
people felt this type of business would change
the character of this rural area. The
Planning Office also received two letters of
opposition to this request. Hal Johnson
explained the character of this area as being
extremely rural and agricultural. Johnson
added that there is one business in this area
(established prior to Zoning) and discribed
how out of character it is.
Bill Dorsett, Board Member, stated that he
could not see (by not approving the zoning
change) any hardship to Hickman since she was
not the owner of the property.
Lynden Craven stated that this area is very
rural and if this type of development was
approved it may would open the doors for more
of the same type of development. Craven
stated that for these reasons he would make
the motion to recommend to the Commissioners
that this request be denied. Bill Dorsett
seconded the motion and the motion passed
February 6, 1990 Page 6
unanimously.
D: JAMES L. CANOY , Ramseur, North Carolina, is
requesting that approximately 1 acre located
on the southside of Hwy 64 approximately 1250
feet from the intersection of Hwy 64/SR 2472
(Shady Grove Church Road) , Columbia Township,
be rezoned from Residential Agricultural to
Highway Commercial/Conditional Use. Zoning
Map #8722 . It is the desire of the applicant
to construct a convenience store.
James Canoy was present at the hearing and
stated that surely no one would be against a
grocery store, that would be like being
against motherhood. Canoy stated that the
project would not begin until the later part
of this year , because the NCDOT is now
surveying for the new project to 4-lane Hwy 64
from Ramseur to Siler City and this may would
interfere with the location of the store.
Canoy added that there is a automotive salvage
yard across the road from this property.
Rosa Butler was there is opposition to this
request and stated that this road has heavy
traffic and Butler stated that she did not
feel this would be a good location for a
business. Butler presented a petition to the
Board of 14 signatures .
James Canoy stated that he has a retarded son
and he and his son would operate the business.
Bill Dorsett stated that outside of additional
traffic he could see no problems with this and
that in time there would be a 4-lane highway
to take care of the traffic and provide an
adequate buffer from those persons opposed to
the development .
Lynden Craven stated that he felt this would
be a good area for a business of this type.
Aweilda Little made the motion, seconded by
Lynden Craven, to recommend to the Commis-
sioners that this request be approved. The
motion passed unanimously.
6. The Planning Board Meeting adjourned at 9 : 07 p.m.
NORTH CAROLINA
RANDOLPH COUNTY
Planning Director
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Date Cl k/Secretary
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February 6, 1990 Page 7