[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6583186,"mediaKeyId","3071621-9794793cb3a1330d686f86ff123925df","parentId",3071621,"title","Commissioners rezone two parcels to General Business; Ashton Drive decision followed neighbor opposition","audioSeconds",1446,"startMs",2430000,"endMs",3876000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071621-9794793cb3a1330d686f86ff123925df&start=2430&end=3876","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071621-9794793cb3a1330d686f86ff123925df/thumbnail_2430000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6583186/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-rezone-two-parcels-to-General-Business-Ashton-Drive-decision-followed-neighbor-opposition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583186-24363bef3b836057a5638a451252c1a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176696&Signature=Sw1Ql65oTW7NoexPeP6UdL7gKwSdcnR0xPiF2430TCmoKPaONTxMlJD0E-Unpbxwf-WjUkqJsbN6URTRk6oVgV7CDblno5apq7gN2sIcX~3lMAlaxP~zY7tshuwqOIM2ieiyon-C1NsDFuqvUEfz~Fs-5PwCyR-FKgxK~UkipR7dOIf6Jhxiuc09zPsk5XGXYHkrJ~KT9mjV2a13Np9XAofnL1XC3lc4b2U2UBT3rdfFM~QmHJ7A14AUvjFuLckctd7vQRAN3ZWz2fT1nSFw-TWWA-cPFSiGMDdgMajfz4wYi1nwUiTO58XD23apj1aoWSGEKHlqKEMW5FDdi1bJJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Burke County, NC","date","2025-04-21T23:53:08.547Z","article","The Burke County Board of Commissioners on April 21 adopted two rezoning ordinances to change parcels from Residential‑2 (R‑2) to General Business (GB).

At the first hearing, planning staff said the property at 2907 North Carolina 18 South (ZMA‑2025‑01) is a 0.27‑acre parcel that has hosted a commercial building for many years and that rezoning would align zoning with actual use. Deputy County Manager and Planning Director Alan Vines told the board the Planning Board reviewed the request and voted 7‑0 in favor. The board adopted ordinance 2025‑03 by unanimous vote.

The second request (ZMA‑2025‑02) asked to rezone a 1.15‑acre parcel on Ashton Drive next to Evans Construction to allow the business to park equipment and stage trucks. Alan Vines described the proposal and explained the county’s zoning ordinance requires a 10‑foot‑wide planted evergreen buffer along the south, west and north edges where the parcel abuts residential uses. At the Planning Board hearing the request received a 6‑1 negative recommendation; at the commissioners meeting resident Terry Swanson opposed the change and urged the board to “protect the community and let it grow as a community, not as a business,” citing recent single‑family development nearby and schoolchildren walking along streets.

Evans Construction owner Mickey Evans and office employee Jean Miller told commissioners the business has operated at the site for about 55 years, that the company needs room to store equipment and that Evans had collected neighborhood signatures in support. Evans said the lot’s gate is secured after hours and that he keeps security cameras and fences in place. “We are requesting to rezone the property we purchased next to us to park just to park our equipment,” Evans said.

Commissioners voted 5‑0 to adopt ordinance 2025‑04 for the Ashton Drive parcel. The rezoning approval includes the perimeter landscape buffer requirement intended to reduce impacts on adjacent residences.

Why it matters
Rezoning aligns official zoning with long‑standing commercial uses in both locations and imposes a buffer to protect nearby homes where business operations abut residential lots. For Ashton Drive, the board balanced the applicant’s operational needs and supporting neighborhood signatures against a neighbor’s safety and community‑character concerns.

Implementation and follow‑up
Planning staff will record the ordinance, update the official zoning map and ensure the required buffer is installed or augmented to meet the ordinance standards.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Burke County commissioners on April 21 rezoned two small parcels from R‑2 to General Business, adopting ordinances 2025‑03 and 2025‑04 by 5‑0 votes.","taxTitle","Burke County, North Carolina","taxId",51046,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583191,"Burke County commissioners approve rezonings, water‑meter contract and fire tax increase; consent agenda clears",1149,5521000,6670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071621-9794793cb3a1330d686f86ff123925df&start=5521&end=6670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071621-9794793cb3a1330d686f86ff123925df/thumbnail_5521000.jpg","/articles/6583191/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-commissioners-approve-rezonings-watermeter-contract-and-fire-tax-increase-consent-agenda-clears","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583191-5f82769d128419ca0d79479db5763c5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176696&Signature=JWA77moz8BwAE5Zwg8aZC9fv8SHD714gbgDgnxUkm60fXlFcBs~hVQFtcW4hNYXAKyesMHis-Op~aCxugcnNEn3RLUcUw1t2dhKC-mAQzZebM9l7pdocrfsTFE89mH2Je9JB~f3tgrvQZW6Bilp5ABHprxjcje-WnXD-79vuq5Z2zd-chcABIY-lB3EDo0bhTpTWtpI9mQ1Na6UU9dJWUHT3GVDAOESXiSgzEFNHWS3SKSG20~Big3DfLSEw3HiCQB4ycqKlCOtJ4NvVabkr77mCFQ6hjkWFTtebmRTkna~1g0m-KihOL81rTe5ZUFwvNOiVQATfC-l0vyKLSHchMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Burke County commissioners on April 21 approved two rezoning ordinances, awarded purchase and installation contracts for new residential water meters, appointed a library board member, accepted a Lake James cleanup report, approved a multi‑item consent agenda and directed staff to include a targeted fire‑tax increase for Salem Fire and Rescue in the FY 2025‑26 budget.

The board approved two rezonings that reclassified small lots from Residential‑2 (R‑2) to General Business (GB). Commissioners adopted ordinance 2025‑03 for ZMA‑2025‑01 (2907 North Carolina 18 South; 0.27 acre; PIN 2712‑54‑8374) and ordinance 2025‑04 for ZMA‑2025‑02 (Ashton Drive; 1.15 acres; PIN 2773‑13‑5760). Both motions passed unanimously, 5‑0. Planning staff told the board the first request had a 7‑0 favorable planning‑board recommendation; the second had a 6‑1 negative recommendation and drew public opposition before the board approved it.

The board awarded contracts for an island‑wide meter replacement project. Core & Main received the low bid for purchase of approximately 2,000 Neptune T10 water meters and associated hardware for $576,110.50; RTS/Envirocore (RTS Water Solutions) received the low bid for installation services for $175,625.92. The combined contract value in the presentation was reported as $751,736.42; funding comes from previously awarded state grants (totaling about $1.3 million) and the motion to award passed 5‑0.

The board also:
- Accepted the Lake James litter‑cleanup report from the Lake James Area Wildlife and Nature Society and voted 5‑0 to receive the report.
- Appointed Janice Gravely to fill Seat No. 4 on the Burke County Library Board of Trustees through 12/31/2027 (motion approved 5‑0).
- Approved the consent agenda (which included proclamations, multiple budget amendments, grant recognitions, contract extensions, and other routine business) by a 5‑0 vote.

On a separate, contested financial item, the board voted 4‑1 to direct the county manager to include a 0.0248¢ increase in the Salem Fire and Rescue district fire tax rate in the proposed FY 2025‑26 budget and to have county staff engage proactively with fire service personnel across the county. The motion included direction to staff to continue engagement with volunteer departments; the board recorded the vote as 4 in favor, 1 opposed.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 2025‑03 (ZMA‑2025‑01, 2907 NC‑18 S): Adopted (motion text recorded on the record). Vote: 5‑0.
- Ordinance 2025‑04 (ZMA‑2025‑02, Ashton Drive parcel): Adopted (motion text recorded). Vote: 5‑0.
- Water meter purchase (Core & Main): Awarded $576,110.50. Vote: 5‑0.
- Water meter installation (RTS Water Solutions/Envirocore): Awarded $175,625.92. Vote: 5‑0.
- Accept Lake James litter cleanup report: Accepted. Vote: 5‑0.
- Library Board Seat No. 4 appointment (Janice Gravely): Appointed. Vote: 5‑0.
- Consent agenda (multiple items including budget amendments and proclamations): Approved. Vote: 5‑0.
- Salem Fire and Rescue tax rate increase (0.0248¢): Directed inclusion in FY 2025‑26 budget; staff engagement requested. Vote: 4‑1.

Why it matters
The rezoning actions align small, long‑standing commercial uses with county zoning in two locations and create requirements (a planted 10‑foot buffer where residential adjacency exists) intended to limit neighborhood impacts. The water‑meter contract begins a countywide meter replacement intended to improve billing accuracy, capture leakage data and produce a more reliable consumption history for customer service and loss‑reduction efforts. The Salem Fire and Rescue tax increase, while modest per dollar of valuation, signals the board’s support for volunteer fire services and a desire by some commissioners to maintain or lower ISO ratings that affect homeowner insurance.

What the board did not decide tonight
Commissioners did not change the substance of other consent‑agenda items beyond approval; many items (grants, proclamations, budget flows) were placed on consent after prior review. Additional budget decisions and the overall county tax rate remain subject to the FY 2025‑26 budget process.

Source excerpts from the meeting record include the planning‑director summaries, applicant testimony, staff presentations on the meter project, the Lake James report and the Salem Fire and Rescue presentation. Direct quotes and vote motions are part of the formal meeting transcript.","At its April 21 meeting the Burke County Board of Commissioners approved two rezoning ordinances, awarded a water‑meter purchase/installation contract, appointed a library trustee, accepted a lake cleanup report and directed a fire‑tax increase for Salem Fire and Rescue. Most motions passed unanimously; the fire tax motion passed 4‑1.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583172,"Residents and Guardian ad Litem urge county to prioritize children’s mental‑health and poor road conditions",424,3905000,4329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071621-9794793cb3a1330d686f86ff123925df&start=3905&end=4329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071621-9794793cb3a1330d686f86ff123925df/thumbnail_3905000.jpg","/articles/6583172/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Residents-and-Guardian-ad-Litem-urge-county-to-prioritize-childrens-mentalhealth-and-poor-road-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583172-9101d8f391775deaaede648a69e01e40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176696&Signature=NwHMAjaPPKaM20YQopv8loy9OWPUhRHPjZRI444~wtRwFUfE7cmWC-7RsoccAMEm-VuOLE6C7Kfi9J2mZb7RJIY6qqs-TdnNKvpnbRWMrXhp-F1wcKMhBJSv8KCeUbumxluShUIDHJP5aU865hqROniRpiyM3UkkkS1~Qmj-MoWTrybWbGxaOra4zzQaMcAEz1XXlgDFwqjaNqx59XCwQmAaxvAd6fC0MnronU3vuCmiTxJre~IuIEh7iiCB~u2Vl0Sdc9XMeUf3Y95GJHEEw2Uau2uD9IGfYbuS5zeP7s57TiQKWGxT-GiBuW-oQQtu73fZB0JZ9MHrMjmikzUZCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents and child‑advocacy professionals used the informal public‑comment period at the April 21 Burke County commissioners meeting to press the county on child welfare and road safety.

Kelly Pearson, a guardian ad litem and adoptive parent, asked the board to consider settlement funds for expanded mental‑health services for children with intellectual and developmental delays and for child‑focused emergency psychiatric care. Pearson said current resources are overwhelmed and that crisis care is often reduced to “the ER hallway at Grace Hospital,” which she described as triage rather than treatment.

Amy Kincaid, district administrator for the Guardian ad Litem program, thanked the board for proclaiming Child Abuse Prevention Month and urged the county to place children in custody “on the highest list of your agenda,” citing staff turnover at Department of Social Services and troubling reports that some children are being kept at DSS facilities at night. She asked the board to prioritize investments that would stabilize placements and staffing.

Kathy Helms spoke on behalf of an elderly homeowner, Nancy Harden, and described hazardous conditions on Valley Trail and its offshoot Willie Ray Road (non‑state roads off Jamestown Road near I‑40 Exit 96). Helms said damaged ditches and a failing culvert—made worse by hurricane Helene—have made the roads “slippery and treacherous in wet weather” and that at least 30 homes use the roads. She asked the commissioners to advocate for repairs and assistance, noting the area includes elderly and Hispanic residents with limited resources.

The chair closed the public‑comment period after the three speakers. Commissioners and staff have heard these topics in prior meetings and several commissioners later acknowledged the concerns and indicated follow‑up would continue through the appropriate county departments and budget processes.

Why it matters
Speakers framed the issues as urgent needs for vulnerable populations—children in custody and elderly rural residents—requesting county prioritization and resource allocation beyond routine proclamations. The comments tie into broader budget decisions the board will make during the FY 2025‑26 process.","During the informal public‑comment period, a guardian ad litem and a district administrator urged the county to use settlement funds and prioritization to expand mental‑health, developmental and emergency services for children in custody; another speaker detailed hazards and damaged culverts on Valley Trail and Willie Ray Road and asked the board",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583176,"Lake James volunteers report nearly nine tons removed, hundreds of volunteers; commissioners accept report",860,1303000,2163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071621-9794793cb3a1330d686f86ff123925df&start=1303&end=2163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071621-9794793cb3a1330d686f86ff123925df/thumbnail_1303000.jpg","/articles/6583176/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Lake-James-volunteers-report-nearly-nine-tons-removed-hundreds-of-volunteers-commissioners-accept-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583176-d07314ba11991ab8ca2b4a795bd61394/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176696&Signature=SGB6uS8dIv7~kwwBlsMHsxTcatsukRiTeygGdBnNkTZwb4IfAVD8gQlFrUnT3AEDdpOoGBUoF6TCdopNvnY1AE~h~jaXcLgBMIhWNl7GKh04m1~ZE2t9~jjHRl4pzHiMWQTe8G9vxyBlDS28t14c8mrgEoOnW6el0EcQWz1ipDBEppN-fx3gO~r6z-DhVmGdkJiFS2-ScxhZW4J5ViHrJXeDQ8FGRjjFrdGLaJK1OQQUbJ-5J68SnMkmrD~9tLIsQBMUl5J5xR1HRHk31T~jhsz9ce6GAcQ4LyCYLOQYZehvoHZ5IOzmmHBzBDBgObcx7tzzqghBQeZyhM95J-SIYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Volunteers and partner organizations reported substantial trash removal from Lake James at the Burke County Board of Commissioners meeting on April 21.

Howard Morgan of the Lake James Area Wildlife and Nature Society presented the group’s annual cleanup report, saying county records show 8.98 tons removed from four county‑provided dumpsters; Morgan also said roughly one additional ton remained at a site that could not be loaded into the dumpsters. He identified large items recovered (refrigerators, oil drums, dock parts, Styrofoam and boat floats) and said volunteers used 13 boats during the cleanup after storm damage limited state park boat‑ramp access.

Morgan thanked partner organizations and volunteers, including Lake James State Park, Burke County Sheriff’s Department (who provided a police boat on the water), Lake James Environmental Association, local dock builders and several businesses that provided food and supplies. Morgan said the cleanup drew about 82 students and 47 adults who signed in for the event, and that students receive community‑service letters that encourage participation.

Commissioners voted 5‑0 to accept the report as presented and publicly thanked volunteers. The presentation also noted continuing large items that will require Duke Energy or contractor removal and requested continued county and partner support for dumpsters, supplies and volunteer safety gear.

Why it matters
The cleanup removes debris that can harm water quality and navigation and reduces long‑term maintenance costs. The report documents volunteer engagement and identifies remaining heavy debris that may require utility‑level removal resources.

Follow up
Organizers asked for continued county support for dumpsters and supplies, increased vest availability for volunteers and engagement with Duke Energy concerning large debris removal.","Lake James Area Wildlife and Nature Society told commissioners volunteers and partners removed 8.98 tons (plus additional un‑dumpstered material) in the recent cleanup; the board voted 5‑0 to accept the report and thanked volunteers and sponsors.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583181,"Burke County awards $751,736 water‑meter purchase and installation contracts funded by state grants",442,4896000,5338000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3071621-9794793cb3a1330d686f86ff123925df&start=4896&end=5338","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3071621-9794793cb3a1330d686f86ff123925df/thumbnail_4896000.jpg","/articles/6583181/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-awards-751736-watermeter-purchase-and-installation-contracts-funded-by-state-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583181-e17f0cf480118f6edb0d2dcff5476a48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176696&Signature=JIs9h603WsJVInD3rYtgH0wKi5jgNw1TGl~oB2TXDoWSofYZWKcMUEvg36B7Qmur7XToWGe4eXOZcCMenf3ZlJOBbpxungV-KtmPNAaA7tlb3Yv4ZUPSSsM9q3SBjVi3~dlwPR2HHOvX~s7nwHhdq1Yq2ax2t-Dl~mKEaz5l6a3wrmnGcyGwDr23s9uSsVNJO5afXUtHIRESH-inmGySwjbzx4X3VLiVwboLu-7i5DP~xPphg1qBarZeBfWJJ2gV-hTCpDvrGdftNRO06tn-trp7~GRXrQV~soWo5gPOw01TWOjGH8IMBanZ7LHdBJunaBRsfSuKtGs094IX81Q6jA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Burke County will replace its residential water meters after the Board of Commissioners on April 21 awarded purchase and installation contracts totaling $751,736.42.

General Services Director Mark Delhaan presented the meter replacement project to the board, describing three county water systems with roughly 2,000 customers on the largest system and noting the bid work scope originally targeted about 2,240 meters. Staff and the project consultant recommended Neptune T10 meters because they store usage history, provide leak, backflow and tamper alerts and include a 10‑year replacement warranty.

The board accepted the low bids and authorized the county manager to execute agreements, subject to county‑attorney review: Core & Main (purchase of meters and hardware) for $576,110.50 and RTS Water Solutions / Envirocore (installation) for $175,625.92. The contract includes a 150‑day completion requirement and liquidated‑damage provisions; contractors proposed work‑management portals that provide photo verification and installation records.

Delhaan said the new meters will give the county hourly usage history for troubleshooting and customer disputes and are expected to improve billing accuracy and identify hidden leaks. Commissioners noted the project is funded by state grants received in 2021 ($1.1M) and 2023 ($200k), so no new local appropriation was required for the contracts presented.

What’s next
The installation timeline targets completion within about 150 days from contract start; staff will receive progress reporting through the contractor portal and provide updates to the board.","County staff recommended, and commissioners approved 5‑0, awarding Core & Main the meter purchase contract ($576,110.50) and RTS/Envirocore the installation contract ($175,625.92) to replace residential meters and improve leak detection and billing accuracy. Funding is from prior state grants (approx. $1.3M).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners rezone two parcels to General Business; Ashton Drive decision followed neighbor opposition

Burke County commissioners approve rezonings, water‑meter contract and fire tax increase; consent agenda clears

Residents and Guardian ad Litem urge county to prioritize children’s mental‑health and poor road conditions

Lake James volunteers report nearly nine tons removed, hundreds of volunteers; commissioners accept report

Burke County awards $751,736 water‑meter purchase and installation contracts funded by state grants