[{"_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",6570421,"mediaKeyId","3193165-a7e0f86b3177b66679ff6fda5325c0d4","parentId",3193165,"title","Burke County planning staff propose zoning map change and text updates aimed at easing housing development","audioSeconds",234,"startMs",986000,"endMs",1220000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193165-a7e0f86b3177b66679ff6fda5325c0d4&start=986&end=1220","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193165-a7e0f86b3177b66679ff6fda5325c0d4/thumbnail_986000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6570421/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-planning-staff-propose-zoning-map-change-and-text-updates-aimed-at-easing-housing-development","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570421-632c44e466c827e3ae44edee77c2940a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108464&Signature=kLnfRavHzV984v7qnZ8TT3W7036PfoI7j3Sao4cNXA2ZWTAs0C8uzah3HYsCJzN4QtsiwXMEhVfGozbCA67n60p7nRozHq~AAn0v8d9adMYWOH0nDk4e6m9EQozbk7Raw2plgoUZ5QrPIPrcLaSAV0AcbPMQ42h~88p65CPNq8BZEZZjCwow-F2cdaxrdA87aRC23nlDh-mjk-mNR-P60CANa9koCow1HAn2UFqnGE2XTfEkyNI-40PCnNstkQD5ZULxY4bufbPaBQJkPjr~NHr7CAWGqwDzJwj-5kK1K9CJDsR0rNu~rFeU-BgGMdpZrWVn9zmdzfs76PPANGiZZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Burke County, NC","date","2025-05-05T21:53:04.08Z","article","Burke County planning staff presented two related items Monday: a zoning map amendment request from a local home builder and a zoning text amendment intended to clarify and simplify the county's development standards.

Alan Glines, the county planning director, described ZMA 2025-03, a request by Brian and Robin Smith to rezone the front 4.5 acres of their roughly 23-acre parcel along U.S. 64 in Morganton Township from Residential-3 to Rural Mixed Use. Glines said the front portion fronts a rural highway corridor where single-family homes and businesses coexist and that the applicant has an outbuilding used for his home-building business that supports mixed uses; the planning board recommended unanimous approval (6-0) and one nearby neighbor spoke in favor.

Glines also presented a broader Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA 2025-01) that would reorganize and clean up the county's ordinance. Key elements described include:

- Adjusting minimum lot sizes based on utilities available (well and septic vs. public water vs. public sewer) with smaller lots where sewer exists.
- Consolidating repeated site-plan requirements by referencing the central site-plan table (Article 7-7-10) instead of repeating lists in multiple special-use sections.
- Separating and renaming Article 6 into distinct sections covering site and building development and design standards, access and parking standards, landscaping, site utilities, and standards for cluster and master-planned developments.

Glines said the text amendment is a first-phase effort and that future work could address subdivisions, solar farms and other special uses. He said the planning board will convene stakeholders including surveyors, home builders and planning-board members to advise further.

Commissioners asked whether state legislation (House Bill 765/765-related bills referenced by a commissioner) could affect county authority; Glines said Burke County's ordinance is crafted to be simpler and hoped to avoid conflict but agreed to review the referenced bill.

The map amendment and text amendment remained on the agenda for the formal public hearing at the regular meeting; no final rezoning vote was taken at the pre-agenda session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May Pre-Agenda Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Burke County planning staff on Monday presented a rezoning request to change 4.5 acres along U.S. 64 from Residential-3 to Rural Mixed Use and proposed a first-phase zoning text amendment aimed at smaller lot minimums where sewer exists and clearer site-development standards.","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},6570426,"Burke County adopts resolution to expedite hazard-mitigation grant endorsements; debris-collection options remain unsettled",702,3899000,4601000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193165-a7e0f86b3177b66679ff6fda5325c0d4&start=3899&end=4601","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193165-a7e0f86b3177b66679ff6fda5325c0d4/thumbnail_3899000.jpg","/articles/6570426/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-adopts-resolution-to-expedite-hazard-mitigation-grant-endorsements-debris-collection-options-remain-unsettled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570426-2b34171d6f79e3e761d0204cb5f3adf8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108464&Signature=eT61TOfvY3xu1mdF4NCABPtc-9gDfs3nUaXUP4szSoLWVqNkMeKE8mXPgncEAmzyICpba14JRNXif9SE3PYG8qjqx54MCYOWrVxSHIY9DQZ4UsZodUuyXNfe9Ez3U-Q6EVxy5aOQ6UVBictaSBp3GXX-443Cvux9P40QNBtBy3ZIhGXqTr-fhGJNOYNEZmyT62k57DPwPU~dA5DBdrMm6i~qkX9jc7npGrM2OFO5B3nUtdrlrwTzTSHaX8PSoHdUxwIIVCSaf0DZXbtFheTSCG1NtT4kxvQR3X3fKZz0u1hj2WD1d3Jk75ZxQkuvFzsC4ZH8w07fa7~ZFqLPNsORKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Burke County commissioners voted 5-0 on Monday to adopt a resolution that authorizes the board chairman and the county manager to sign state-approved hazard-mitigation grant applications on behalf of the county.

County Manager staff said the resolution applies to applicants seeking mitigation projects (acquisition, elevation or renovation) tied to flood damage from the Sept. 28 storm. The state is collecting documentation for each property and will submit applications to FEMA; approved applications will be returned to the county for endorsement and final action. Manager staff explained that acquisitions require transferring the property deed to the county and that the parcel would be removed from the tax roll in perpetuity.

The board also received a comprehensive briefing on storm recovery operations, including right-of-way debris collection, debris-site remediation and the county's public-assistance application to FEMA. The manager reported that Burke County has recorded an estimated $11.6 million in eligible public-assistance damages to date and that right-of-way debris removal will total roughly 325,000 cubic yards.

Three options remain under consideration for waterway and private-property debris removal: (1) continue contracting privately, (2) use a new state project-management option the county staff called \"NC Smart\" managed by the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management, or (3) pursue an Army Corps of Engineers mission assignment. County staff said they have repeatedly requested Army Corps engagement but had not received a mission assignment; state emergency-management counsel was drafting a revised MOA to allow state-led project management that would remove county financial and legal risk.

The commissioners voted unanimously to adopt resolution number 2025-15 (motion by Vice Chair; vote 5-0). The board did not approve any MOA at the meeting; county staff said the MOA was still under review by state counsel and would likely return to the board for action at a later meeting.

County staff also said the three main debris sites are nearing closure: the fairgrounds site has been remediated, East Fleming was close to remediation and the Marsh Trail site still required grinding of roughly 40,000 cubic yards of vegetative material. Staff reported the county used contractors SDR and DebrisTech for right-of-way collection and the Army Corps had removed 3.5 million cubic yards of waterway debris statewide. The manager said roughly 7,980 individual-assistance applicants in Burke County had been approved, for about $15 million in individual assistance paid so far.

The county will return to the board with a final MOA for waterway and private-property debris management when the state legal review is complete.

Commissioners accepted the manager's report and adopted the resolution in the pre-agenda session; separate votes or budget implications tied to debris contracts will return for approval if needed.","Commissioners adopted a resolution allowing the chairman and county manager to sign future approved hazard-mitigation grant applications from the state. County staff provided a broad update on storm recovery, debris collection, FEMA public-assistance applications and ongoing negotiations over a state MOA for waterway and private-property debris.",{"_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},6570430,"Burke County DSS seeks to use state'allocated \"essential services\" dollars to repair veteran''s unsafe home; bid process extended",230,2786000,3016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193165-a7e0f86b3177b66679ff6fda5325c0d4&start=2786&end=3016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193165-a7e0f86b3177b66679ff6fda5325c0d4/thumbnail_2786000.jpg","/articles/6570430/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-DSS-seeks-to-use-stateallocated-essential-services-dollars-to-repair-veterans-unsafe-home-bid-process-extended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570430-82bc57ad398274689210ffe9585124d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108464&Signature=MeC~waN1o5AYlxofKwY1Q04v5raJbpsFdJYJPI~aesftstuWIy-Xqa-~mkTOLWrAD3yLb2paGc5i9iutHcntEABR5yLE18w3ULmGfQk~l8szskNBjLZM85LClVIiJUUWKDlVlcRjEq40ujQxPkcUMQV15zxDCJyth0GVH6tryJgaJK3FBUyHGlZELIrCR1ISSaNOoVmjhz-fwGRkir9LKvSx7Ai0qYHsFYu9h7kGA~Q6gwcWumWGIcOEqFFmHCgPgQGMTounBLTKpWu7vVDvaX6j3gL-lE~fOHwMJqP79FbuXzMvqSI15UF9dADu3h7v8s0v~ct06rqNB1neCOlEUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Burke County Department of Social Services told the Board of Commissioners on Monday it is asking the county to approve use of state-provided adult essential services funds to address an urgent housing and safety issue for a long-time county resident and veteran.

Brett Porter, social work supervisor, said the county received $131,444 in adult-services essential service funds from the state after the Sept. 28 storm and has used the money to assist adults under four eligible service codes: Adult Protective Services evaluation (202), adult services planning and mobilization (204), guardianship (107) and contracted guardianship (111). Porter said this type of funding is rare in adult services and can be used for housing supports, repairs, appliances, utilities and personal-care items.

Porter and social worker Tiffany Breeden described one case involving a 64-year-old veteran, identified in the meeting as Mr. Williams, whose home suffered storm damage and additional structural decline. Breeden said Mr. Williams is living in a towable camper provided by the VA but remains at risk because the camper relies on small propane tanks and an extension cord for electricity. Breeden said contractors assessed the house as beyond reasonable repair, the VA has exhausted its housing options for him, FEMA denied assistance and there is limited contractor capacity locally because of storm-related demand.

\"He has to show he is looking for sustainable housing to continue using the camper,\" Breeden said. She described floor collapse inside the home and declining structural supports, and said volunteers could not safely salvage items during a cleanout because of the hazard.

Porter said the county had received one bid for repairs before the original April 30 deadline; following county procurement policy the bidding period was extended 10 days to encourage participation. He asked the board to consider using the remaining essential funds for this type of individual casework, arguing the funds were intended to be spent to help adults affected by the storm.

Commissioners discussed timelines and the fact the state had recently provided an additional $20,000 for these purposes. Several commissioners said using the state funds now avoids returning the money to the state or allowing it to be reallocated elsewhere.

The board agreed to move the item to the consent agenda so staff can proceed under county procurement rules; no final appropriation was recorded at the pre-agenda meeting.","Social services staff asked commissioners to allow use of adult essential services funds distributed after the September storm to repair or replace a veteran's damaged home that is now uninhabitable, describing urgent safety risks and limited alternate funding; procurement deadline for the project was extended.",{"_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},6570431,"Burke County leaders back continued opioid-settlement funding for Recovery Court; graduates and judges praise program",315,2115000,2430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193165-a7e0f86b3177b66679ff6fda5325c0d4&start=2115&end=2430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193165-a7e0f86b3177b66679ff6fda5325c0d4/thumbnail_2115000.jpg","/articles/6570431/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Burke-County-leaders-back-continued-opioid-settlement-funding-for-Recovery-Court-graduates-and-judges-praise-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570431-a042132e8b23458dd936b45dbb6be287/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108464&Signature=caFlmljhZJNyb7rOOOacWaSLxQ~vBnOygxf0yK8qXXde-7xHWs6AxH2OHFCYg1SoH51Xti2Tx0jO0Gw9IYPek0xaSWRLHkIqLLZBENmsrI~~rJQjaZWCw745dPQhO~7iRs6gu5-8K-S5JcI0qbYEyZRBikRgf16I~7OKDxXgryDcY982r1UGs-6d9m9IUHGXLxkALCeqwiizc2GEShOwb-NTjWSHtia9nTEZLsNJh3D4pSKEu~-VE0nBVWwcBtqABQJvQndgW4tLHenHDIaZqWbZ7h6gobKWcvjXMRdFZmOczxX7Zip-l4RQYfcAdeSWGqID5OC8dh0bmuBA1SIMsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Burke County commissioners on Monday heard an update on the county's Recovery Court and were asked to continue funding the program with opioid-settlement dollars through Dec. 31, 2026, while staff pursue longer-term grants.

The county has partnered with Cognitive Connections, a vendor based in Hickory, to provide recovery-court services since the program restarted in February 2019. Hugh Sandow, the county's budget strategy and performance analyst, told commissioners the program originally received Bureau of Justice Assistance grant funding that was later denied for renewal; the county then allocated opioid-settlement funds to avoid disrupting participants.

Sandow said the county now receives monthly reports from Cognitive Connections tracking participants, services and outcomes. As of April, there were 19 active participants, 16 program graduates since 2022 and a 12-month success rate of 57 percent. Sandow said that exceeds typical national averages for similar programs.

\"Most program participants come into the program without stable housing or employment. Post-graduation, 94 percent have stable housing and employment,\" Sandow said.

Commissioners heard from a graduate, Chris Ocstadt, who said the program was life-saving and credited court staff and the judge with giving participants hope. \"Without this program, I wouldn't be standing here today. I'd be in prison or dead,\" Ocstadt told the board. Ocstadt also said she now works for Burke County Recovery Court and Catawba County Recovery Court and helps other participants.

Chief District Court Judge Robert Mullenax described the program as an important additional sentencing and treatment option. \"This gives one extra tool for us,\" Mullenax said, noting recovery court provides structured treatment, drug screening, job training and housing help over a months-long progression to graduation.

County staff asked commissioners to keep the matter on the consent agenda so final action to extend funding can be included on the regular meeting agenda. No formal adoption vote on the funding extension was recorded at the pre-agenda meeting.

The county said continuing opioid settlement funding at current levels would allow the program to serve up to 30 participants. Staff said they will continue to track outcomes and seek other funding sources to sustain the program.

Commissioners and speakers emphasized the program's community impact, including reduced incarceration and improved participant stability.

A follow-up item to extend opioid-settlement funding will appear on the county's regular meeting consent agenda for formal action.","Burke County commissioners heard updates on the county's Recovery Court, where opioid-settlement dollars have kept the court running after a federal grant lapse. Officials reported program growth, improved outcomes and asked commissioners to extend funding through December 2026 while staff seek alternate grants.",{"_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},6570416,"Tourism stays strong in Burke County after storm recovery; TDA reports boosted revenues and hotel demand",286,3433000,3719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193165-a7e0f86b3177b66679ff6fda5325c0d4&start=3433&end=3719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193165-a7e0f86b3177b66679ff6fda5325c0d4/thumbnail_3433000.jpg","/articles/6570416/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Tourism-stays-strong-in-Burke-County-after-storm-recovery-TDA-reports-boosted-revenues-and-hotel-demand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570416-6f2dcca934109e0d8f25645e09094367/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108464&Signature=gtB-HiRvbeA2DXyL~jIPr8GJsGyA~VwgFWLdtz7EhjlkZl8NSjt9sIqed9Zmb3QX9dUnSHnqC9-4Mw3louycfRy5tolxRjyGoFc7~E8mD8U2ob4zsoqTwNqQj3efOftrqqmuSYGmSgAYmvF4vW-DdSqnjJnSoaSwXPyFq1-dgq3qgbt6xr1oVxK9MQtrEjvlmFcjwTnNEkvPhabzsoKT0g8VDw8qofRbdVqq3rBbeok~ZqOhaBse0kuRCfrhZn1-6Sq1bGJjCihmj2FJduHZBWkLUznSlFjwkajFA5qFur~dBVlAm~RiPqP8WPL~DaWysu6YmtiF7Aqr6cLK0hVt6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Burke County Tourism Development Authority told commissioners on Monday that tourism revenue and hotel demand remain strong following recovery work after the Sept. 28 storm.

Ed Phillips, representing the TDA, said cash on hand for the TDA was $957,806 as of March 31, and the authority recently increased its budget to $1.4 million to reflect stronger-than-expected revenue. Phillips said September's storm initially paused tourism, but demand recovered and then exceeded prior levels; since the storm, occupancy has often been above available supply.

Phillips said recovery-related workers and contractors have contributed to stays across the county and that some FEMA-housed guests and recovery staff have used local hotels. He reported that MRI Hotel Group of Charlotte plans to begin construction later this year on a 91-room Home2 Suites near I-40 Exit 105; the development targets extended-stay visitors but will serve general hotel demand.

Recent events such as a large wedding weekend and a Ukulele Festival with more than 100 participants brought visitors from across the U.S., Phillips said. The TDA also has increased capital-account investments to earn more interest now that it has a surplus. Phillips cautioned that some recovery-driven demand may decline over time but that the county has seen sustained boosts in revenue since the recovery phase.

Commissioners asked about Blue Ridge Parkway reopening and local trail access; Phillips said many Parkway sections remain closed and that local park and trail reopenings vary by site. He urged commissioners to contact the TDA for more detailed site-status information.

The TDA's update will remain on the consent agenda for the regular meeting.","The Burke County Tourism Development Authority reported record-level room demand and strong occupancy since late September, prompting a budget increase and planned new lodging development; the TDA said recovery-related stays and long-term visitors are driving sustained revenue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Burke County planning staff propose zoning map change and text updates aimed at easing housing development

Burke County adopts resolution to expedite hazard-mitigation grant endorsements; debris-collection options remain unsettled

Burke County DSS seeks to use state'allocated "essential services" dollars to repair veteran''s unsafe home; bid process extended

Burke County leaders back continued opioid-settlement funding for Recovery Court; graduates and judges praise program

Tourism stays strong in Burke County after storm recovery; TDA reports boosted revenues and hotel demand