[{"_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",6166327,"mediaKeyId","5415799-6d7072efee91449a2fd2398db2fb4287","parentId",5415799,"title","Planning board recommends conditional zoning for 80 MW Stokes Town solar project after lengthy public comments","audioSeconds",4179,"startMs",2226000,"endMs",6405000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415799-6d7072efee91449a2fd2398db2fb4287&start=2226&end=6405","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415799-6d7072efee91449a2fd2398db2fb4287/thumbnail_2226000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6166327/Pitt-County/North-Carolina/Planning-board-recommends-conditional-zoning-for-80-MW-Stokes-Town-solar-project-after-lengthy-public-comments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166327-dfc3fe8d9d38eaba02a062157bf3a02c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109493&Signature=G2KkKkW4yNv7zqbl0YJIYPeFR8xsnu1omq17BwajhgnRH4y9~F7yC1RUaeoKbKv~QYkTKX0KAu0htqPAvIqidAwaP3rOls5ouB39NAxmYXykMT16lR8TBOolu3zlt7POn1pHXbiGdYMN-1f5bUvnLPMnM00WKAnSQbVCsPuQ-WoIvEOlsykkEvhuUDm6hPoulGcLtQhvpgIIniYNbRgqqAcBGcwvxvbV2eqLuQmAQqzMi561hRFCt5plUH635BqNtEzb8Q3dPiqtAe6SuUNJDWcDJ2IsBZ~F8ML6ABNeYkQVMijOKBRkPBeZTF6WDcMwyPCQs~4FG24J7CpndTcjQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pitt County, NC","date","2025-07-17T12:50:07Z","article","The Pitt County Planning Board recommended approval of a conditional rural-agricultural rezoning for the proposed Stokes Town Solar project — an 80-megawatt solar-generation system paired with a 30-megawatt battery energy storage system — after an extended presentation by the developer and substantial public comment both for and against the project.

Hexagon Energy representatives said the project would be an approximately 1,049-acre rezoning area east of Grifton encompassing 15 parcels (eight property owners). Chad Issick, zoning and land-use counsel for Hexagon, told the board the fenced equipment area would be under 400 acres and about 116 acres would contain actual solar panels. He summarized technical studies the applicant obtained and said the company had worked nearly a year with staff and the community to reduce the proposal from roughly 30 parcels to 15.

“This project, if approved, would develop an 80, megawatt solar energy generating system paired with a 30 megawatt battery battery energy storage system,” Chad Issick said.

Ross Evets, a Hexagon project developer, cited the applicant\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000s economic analysis: “Over the 30 year life of the project, Stokes Town Solar is expected to generate more than $3,200,000 in county tax revenue compared to just $180,000 if the land remained in agricultural use. That's a 36 fold increase,” he said, while describing projected construction job-years and local economic output.

Hexagon engineers said they moved the substation and battery equipment to increase setbacks and removed arrays that bordered higher-density residential roads after a January community meeting. “First, we moved the project substation and battery storage...allowing for greater setbacks from nearby homes,” Erica O'Donnell, Hexagon senior development engineer, said. The applicant said it increased minimum setbacks from nonparticipating homes from 50 feet to 300 feet in many places and proposed vegetated corridors and pollinator habitat.

Opponents raised flooding, historic/archeological resources and land-preservation concerns. One commenter testified, “My biggest concern is it increased in flooding,” and described nearby drainage and the Fork Swamp watershed plan. Supporters included multiple landowners who said leasing to solar would preserve family land and provide needed income; Deborah Cannon Wade said she changed her view after reviewing research and said the lease would help keep land in her family.

Planning staff recommended approval with conditions requiring a Pitt County site plan, erosion and sedimentation control and stormwater compliance, a 50-foot riparian buffer on streams (unless exempt), submittal of decommissioning plans and a fencing/landscaping plan. Staff noted the applicant proposed setbacks and additional screening and that an existing solar farm is in the vicinity. The staff report and the applicant\u0000\u0000\u0000s proposed conditions require: underground electrical wiring where required, abandoned equipment removal after one year of inactivity, compliance with county stormwater and nutrient-control rules, and adherence to the county\u0000\u0000\u0000s solar standards (equipment setbacks, inverter separations, and maximum heights).

After public comment and applicant responses, a board member moved that the board recommend approval of Hexagon Development's request with the conditions presented; the motion passed. Planning staff reminded the audience that the recommendation goes to the Board of Commissioners, which will hold a public hearing August 18.

The transcript records multiple technical claims by Hexagon about economic benefit, mitigation of flood risk through design changes and decommissioning and reuse practices; those claims will be evaluated further during site-plan review and by permitting agencies if the commissioners approve the rezoning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pitt County Planning Board Meeting - - 7/16/2025 5:30:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Pitt County Planning Board recommended approval of a conditional rezoning for Stokes Town Solar, a proposed 80 MW solar farm paired with 30 MW of battery storage on about 1,049 acres east of Grifton, after presentations by the developer and extensive public comment.","taxTitle","Pitt County, North Carolina","taxId",14194,"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},6166331,"Planning board backs conditional rezoning for sand mine with restrictions on haul route",457,813000,1270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415799-6d7072efee91449a2fd2398db2fb4287&start=813&end=1270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415799-6d7072efee91449a2fd2398db2fb4287/thumbnail_813000.jpg","/articles/6166331/Pitt-County/North-Carolina/Planning-board-backs-conditional-rezoning-for-sand-mine-with-restrictions-on-haul-route","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166331-8741a94ad378d0ffbe893653218c6f3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109493&Signature=lOf-VOqgyqS-eDXR1bRglN4qm9k4QC4wG-qRtJF2SJoMVs2D1Eka~lV8Tyy-9zoQk~lSguU1ZoFYONO5iCOQ6~prSzzMhu4jnNTg3hpYBJ4MezQbZrEUGr2fcwhFplytXWK2P8p7t1-8I3ACcmbBGx~0a6B4Y9Xg9Y56gZZy0zszBLjGj3Ok~SUYNk~MEPGEZw95rtR7hZGFCxXaCjyazZ5zjfBoRn-YxFehl5XLvwlVazUMa-IZAezOuHhiAoPRbIrcm9x0I7GowO2Pz0YhsOE4RRQMmsB9NtTuoEWuRh~BGJAZH3P4lcM~v02dFsSaz3gwOksBLdyKpYHJzdToRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pitt County Planning Board recommended approval of a conditional rezoning request from HSP Investments LLC to allow a sand-mining operation on about 33.4 acres off Alvin Road, subject to multiple conditions including route limitations for truck traffic, environmental permits and screening.

Planning staff described the site as largely within flood-prone and wetland areas and said the future land-use map designates most of the property as open-space conservation. Staff explained that the conditional district approach lets the county approve a specific use with enforceable conditions, and noted that the zoning ordinance contains specific standards for mining operations, including minimum separations, screening and state mining permits.

“Planning staff does find that the request is consistent with Envision Pitt County 2045 comprehensive land use plan,” the presenter said, noting that similar active sand mines exist in the area and that staff recommended approval with conditions.

Ken Malpass, who said he has worked on the project for about a year, explained how truck traffic will be routed: “We\u0000\u0000\u0000we've worked out with 2 adjacent properties to take this path across the red area that was shown, and we'll go back out through the trip farm. So all the trucks will go out through the same entrance that, trip brothers, and he's actually the 1 that's gonna be digging and using this proposed sand mine.”

Staff listed the recommended conditions: no zoning compliance permit until an approved site plan is submitted; a minimum 6-foot perimeter screening berm as an alternative screening method; flood-development and erosion-control permits from Pitt County and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) prior to work; a 50-foot riparian buffer on streams unless otherwise exempted; routing of truck traffic through specified existing parcels to avoid the Alvin Road curve; signs prohibiting truck traffic at a particular driveway on Parcel 1697; and proposed hours of operation of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Board member Lisa Ellison moved to recommend approval and Lyman Hardy seconded; the motion carried. Planning staff said the Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on August 18.

The board’s conditions require state and county permits (DEQ mining permit, erosion-control plan, flood-development permit) and County approvals (site plan and NCDOT driveway permit) before mining activity can start. The routing and signage requirements are intended to keep heavy truck traffic away from the Alvin Road curve and nearby residences. Planning staff also noted that the zoning-code minimum separations and screening requirements for mines must be met and that the applicant proposed a berm to satisfy screening requirements.","The Planning Board recommended approval of a conditional rezoning to allow a sand mine on Alvin Road with multiple conditions including buffers, a six-foot berm for screening, routing of truck traffic through existing mines and permits from NCDEQ and NCDOT.",{"_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},6166335,"Planning board recommends rezoning on US 264 to let dental practice expand",382,410000,792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415799-6d7072efee91449a2fd2398db2fb4287&start=410&end=792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415799-6d7072efee91449a2fd2398db2fb4287/thumbnail_410000.jpg","/articles/6166335/Pitt-County/North-Carolina/Planning-board-recommends-rezoning-on-US-264-to-let-dental-practice-expand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166335-3445e59949299c5d54aa8ac73e3eab9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109493&Signature=XJESqjh-LVwjhxMU5Jgcd5IzQe7WLYHhGbr-NmGla2DvQB-WrcwjWr6DOtusVOeFbntXM7aSoHzSrG4orLVEQFx1dDCWJCi4xYzwB02veNMmys0Cst2Km2uDHP8CVdyC50oMDkMqzw4fkFwB9NeMau-mEad6vzHM0AAEB55f8eXHF5T4gKWyv4WkfkUehD66qHl6qJRhw2c-ej4cAyI17QSI9IWJfYm6RVpIP-U2HMo88oATLCWpPNTPXU6DybHMstnQiCz1UrbyN-jHX44Zhef~WRAiVMyDaAR8C857w8m9sGHK30BedyhCie65hEDTSVPR91CRc02qHo9eGVMuIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pitt County Planning Board voted to recommend that the Board of Commissioners approve a request from Trip Holdings LLC to rezone 3.85 acres along U.S. 264 East from rural residential to general commercial, a change planning staff said would allow expansion of an existing dental practice and parking.

Planning staff summarized the request and said the site is on the southern side of U.S. 264 just east of Old Pactolus Road and that the county’s future land use map designates the area as “commercial crossroads.” Planning staff recommended approval, saying the request is consistent with the Envision Pitt County 2045 plan and noting an existing dental office already zoned general commercial adjoins the subject parcels.

“The proposed zoning is general commercial, which is intended to accommodate a range of retail, service, office, limited wholesale, and moderate density multifamily residential uses,” planning staff said, and concluded, “Planning staff does recommend approval of the requests.”

Scott Anderson, a local civil engineer who said he represents the applicant, described the project as an expansion of “the site of a current existing dental office that serves the community. It is very successful, and they need to expand,” and offered to answer questions from the board. Another supporter, Chris West, spoke briefly in favor.

Board member Steve Little moved to recommend approval and was seconded by Lyman Hardy; board members voted to carry the motion. Planning staff said the Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the rezoning request on August 18 at 6:00 p.m.

Because the planning board’s recommendation will go to the county commissioners, the recommendation does not itself rezone the parcels. Planning staff noted that future nonresidential uses will require site-plan approval and that standard site-plan and utility requirements apply.

Clarifying details from the technical presentation and staff comments: the rezoning request covers three parcels totaling 3.85 acres (parcel numbers identified in the staff presentation), the site has frontage and direct access to U.S. 264 East, and an existing dental facility owned by the applicant is adjacent. Planning staff said utilities in the immediate area are a mix of limited water service and on-site septic.

The planning board’s recommendation packet lists the applicable local planning guidance (Envision Pitt County 2045) and standard county site-plan and zoning requirements; the staff presentation said further approvals (site plan, access permits) will be required before development proceeds.

The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for a public hearing on August 18.","The Pitt County Planning Board voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request from Trip Holdings LLC to convert 3.85 acres along US 264 East from rural residential to general commercial to accommodate expansion of an existing dental office and associated parking.",{"_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},6166316,"Planning board recommends adoption of Neuse River Basin hazard mitigation plan update",831,5844000,6675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415799-6d7072efee91449a2fd2398db2fb4287&start=5844&end=6675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415799-6d7072efee91449a2fd2398db2fb4287/thumbnail_5844000.jpg","/articles/6166316/Pitt-County/North-Carolina/Planning-board-recommends-adoption-of-Neuse-River-Basin-hazard-mitigation-plan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166316-37a5318ab0c0def40604de407638d3fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109493&Signature=lOSW03RagdzSswyUdF5wJ94cvQJu9bNtbrIjhCY1-rWSoLRaqgKkhdOraTcMVUTkhKRY27zf34JqeGjF9b0yC4wfy8wMhKukJ5lHM9i3np6uBQanAJT398m7Wkscz~4genI45rr0YEWjR8xFLaJwf1DmEFmpGGfmns5-4LlDkkRpqgOZbhPabEHoN5cGs6WhYej7R5BZRo7J3lDmuAkaSmpR8odo2he-ph6ykjJwksu7FNf6vb7L0ZkKr2gic-sCjbiV9sqs6Tine9njGeed6r5cXxr~VJwB-UVAk9~4vpOIuuBtfK0NOzXmVrf452FOQBMBELECjSWbcNFWdhHMKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pitt County Planning Board recommended that the Board of Commissioners adopt the Neuse River Basin Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan update, a five-year plan regional in scope that Pitt County participates in alongside Greene, Jones, Lenoir and Wayne counties.

Planning staff said local governments must maintain a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan to be eligible for federal mitigation grants (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, Flood Mitigation Assistance and Severe Repetitive Loss programs) and that jurisdictions must update their plan every five years. The current regional draft has been reviewed by the state and is pending FEMA approval; staff said the county may proceed with adoption while FEMA finishes review because the existing plan is close to expiration.

The plan update identifies hazards relevant to Pitt County including flooding, hurricanes and tropical storms, tornadoes/thunderstorms, drought, excessive heat, earthquake, winter storms, wildfires and dam failure. The update carries forward previous mitigation actions and adds items the county prioritized in the last five years: continue enforcement of erosion- and sedimentation-control regulations; enforce the county\u0000s stormwater and riparian buffer regulations; maintain FEMA elevation and flood-proofing certificates and invest in a records system; repair the Lake Glenwood dam and monitor other high-hazard dams; create cooling centers in partnership with faith-based organizations; and adopt new hydrologic advisory maps into public outreach.

Staff described grant eligibility as the primary reason for maintaining the plan and summarized several action areas: prevention, property protection, natural resource protection, structural projects, emergency services and public information and outreach. The plan also recommends coordinating with East Carolina University and Pitt Community College on their hazard mitigation plans, incorporating mitigation priorities in the county capital improvement plan, and evaluating access to critical facilities during flooding.

Planning staff asked the board to recommend adoption to the commissioners; the board voted to recommend adoption and staff said the Board of Commissioners would consider the plan at an upcoming meeting. Staff also noted that county commissioners allocated funds to a new software system to catalog elevation certificates and floodproofing documentation, a step toward implementing the plan priorities.","Pitt County planning staff presented an update to the Neuse River Basin Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Planning Board recommended adoption; the plan must be updated every five years for FEMA grant eligibility and includes priorities on floodplain management, stormwater, dam repairs, and cooling centers.",{"_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},6166322,"Planning board denies rezoning for storage, RV and contractor parking on Quarry Road",3081,6660000,9741000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415799-6d7072efee91449a2fd2398db2fb4287&start=6660&end=9741","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415799-6d7072efee91449a2fd2398db2fb4287/thumbnail_6660000.jpg","/articles/6166322/Pitt-County/North-Carolina/Planning-board-denies-rezoning-for-storage-RV-and-contractor-parking-on-Quarry-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166322-fb10281b18724d15d70cf61332436f92/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109493&Signature=a7Hbo7yf8I5pamcIQkJ5OsD3a~WgMI1g4RycCafBSvkSfFpPt2CRyTIK5rkUlXbAzv2SUghlA-qBE5LO98VApExGYHfzzkJ6exbIYseJ3ueiUQ-dcErB1YgW9SN6tQ6sak6Nu~JKupvgHFDQbgKs6bFMLQS1zvWZLivNH1fBSvtTySindkQUppCeXinPAigkozCHsNL4vg1hvyXUfYtugm9mDvyyE8ckB9joa0mF7BKSecWHtQe~EM2wyJpaxsXPK-t3EgGhrLH7sy1bxD5U75muTj0E22n4YG383~tOrKEGKN2-tv0OdJ1PYwbP9copmfFj-qR-7uyheB~V7seWyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pitt County Planning Board voted to recommend denial of a conditional rezoning request from Sawyers Property Management Group LLC that would have rezoned 13.72 acres on Quarry Road from rural residential to general commercial conditional for uses including mini-storage, boat and RV parking, and contractor storage.

Planning staff described the site as located on the western side of Quarry Road north of Worthington Road, surrounded by predominantly residential uses and near existing subdivisions including Quarry Ridge. The county\u0000s future land-use map designates the parcel as suburban residential and staff said the comprehensive plan calls for context-sensitive evaluation of commercial uses in such areas.

Applicant representatives said they had reduced an earlier proposal and engaged neighbors over the past year to refine the plan into a lower-traffic proposal. “A self storage facility is a very low traffic generator, creates very little noise, and the lighting can be contained within the property,” applicant consultant Scott Anderson told the board, and he noted the rezoning area had been reduced from 31.9 acres in a 2022 proposal to 13.7 acres.

Neighbors and homeowners repeatedly opposed the request. Jerry McCroy, a Corey Ridge resident, recounted prior votes and city decisions that had rejected earlier Sawyer proposals and urged the board to “shut down the Sawyer's assault on our local community and put this puppy to bed,” saying residents do not want the property converted to the proposed commercial uses. Multiple residents raised concerns about traffic and children crossing Quarry/Corey Road, nighttime lighting, security and the potential for the commercial uses to expand later. Several speakers said the property was residential when they bought nearby homes and that the community expects it to remain so.

Planning staff had proposed a set of conditions intended to reduce impacts, including a 10-foot landscaped buffer along public roads and adjacent residences, perimeter fencing and landscaping, architectural standards for facades visible from Quarry Road, limits on outside contractor storage (limited to the office building only), signage and security-camera requirements, and compliance with erosion-control and stormwater ordinances.

After public comment the board member Priscilla Ellison moved to recommend denial, citing incompatibility with surrounding residential uses and the county\u0000s comprehensive plan; the motion passed. Planning staff reminded the public that the Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the matter and that mailed notice will be sent for that hearing.","The Pitt County Planning Board recommended denial of a conditional rezoning application from Sawyers Property Management Group LLC to allow general commercial uses (self-storage, boat/RV parking and contractor storage) on 13.72 acres on Quarry Road after extensive resident opposition citing traffic, noise, lighting and compatibility concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning board recommends conditional zoning for 80 MW Stokes Town solar project after lengthy public comments

Planning board backs conditional rezoning for sand mine with restrictions on haul route

Planning board recommends rezoning on US 264 to let dental practice expand

Planning board recommends adoption of Neuse River Basin hazard mitigation plan update

Planning board denies rezoning for storage, RV and contractor parking on Quarry Road