[{"_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",6470459,"mediaKeyId","5779569-ec6d8cb7b75fb02fca8862178f7dcab3","parentId",5779569,"title","Parks director updates commissioners on rail-bank acquisition; public split over greenway plans","audioSeconds",1713,"startMs",2752000,"endMs",4465000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779569-ec6d8cb7b75fb02fca8862178f7dcab3&start=2752&end=4465","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779569-ec6d8cb7b75fb02fca8862178f7dcab3/thumbnail_2752000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6470459/Person-County/North-Carolina/Parks-director-updates-commissioners-on-rail-bank-acquisition-public-split-over-greenway-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470459-eb81b2bd8038bd0539da3c6dd1cd4304/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922121&Signature=VZgmB429kPPupTzz1seYBG2svsaRBBY4df08IAB1oZ6cQO03fw03Sbt37NRIT0l3J2xkoNuHV~bkJ3YcJAm3CBFAQ~QzgFRF9nysl-G~BpMdZbT~6eXopq5wNGfzZcesD78Y0NONOvOrXhTnMzwNwATUivZCg24zzkK32MziIqjo0MVBC2fpE7v0ADXD18pM7a~fVHj-oiFdZ031YIw476hObhlggRyL-G7FyL1b4X-yIdgDPyfTtlnx8mWDpxT0zTPObYBFESxSRzmJb9clE0ELaGtsLzs7HVBiOY0OCwq5GPn8Zs-R7oeUvD4TeFm29qp9dBRpO31-Xld9WGyNjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Person County","date","2025-09-16T03:13:17Z","article","John Hill, director of Person County Parks and Recreation, on Sept. 15 updated the Board of Commissioners on the long-running effort to preserve the Norfolk Southern 55'01 railroad corridor through a rail-bank acquisition being handled by the Conservation Fund and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

Hill said the Conservation Fund signed a contract with Norfolk Southern and was in due diligence; he said partners expect the transaction to close between November 2025 and January 2026. He urged the county to join as a partner and secure management control of the corridor so Person County can retain local decision-making over future uses of the corridor.

\"If Person County continues to be a partner of this and move forward with the acquisition, you're gonna gain...management control of the railroad corridor portion in Person County,\" Hill said, emphasizing that management control preserves the county's ability to work with local landowners and to decide how crossings and future development will be handled.

Hill and county staff described how federal funds routed through NCDOT will be used for the acquisition and that local jurisdictions are being asked to provide matching funds. Hill said earlier county calculations put Person County's share in the approximate range of $1.5 million and explained that the county applied for grant and CIP funds previously to position itself to participate.

County Attorney T.C. Morphis Jr. told commissioners he had not seen any proposed management agreement language that would obligate the county to fund future development, but he said staff would need to review any draft agreement and would flag terms that might obligate the county. \"I would need to see some kind of agreement between or proposed documentation...we'd certainly be reviewing for that and would flag it for the commissioners if it came up,\" Morphis said.

The item was informational; commissioners did not take formal action on acquisition at the meeting.

Public comments at the meeting illustrated a split in community views. Supporters, including residents and members of Friends of the Parks, said a greenway would provide safe recreation and transportation and reduce travel to other counties for greenway access. Jeff Kisner, who said bicycling had improved his health, urged commissioners to visit existing greenways to understand their value.

Opponents raised concerns about safety, flooding, parking and property impacts. Christie Harris said surveyors had appeared near her home and that a proposed trail would run about 20 feet from her bedroom window; she said she was opposed \"mainly for safety issues because I have 6 grandchildren\" and expressed concern about flooding and parking on private roads. Linda Dickerson said she worried about trash, crime and inadequate law enforcement.

Hill and staff sought to correct misconceptions raised during public comment: they said the surveyors residents saw were working for Norfolk Southern and the Conservation Fund as part of due diligence, not for Person County; and they said acquisition of management rights would not automatically obligate Person County to build a trail or to spend county funds on development. NCDOT and other partners, including East Coast Greenway, have provided grant funding toward the project (East Coast Greenway was cited as providing $1 million toward the partnership).

Why this matters: The corridor acquisition will determine who controls the property and whether Person County has an ongoing role in deciding future uses ranging from a linear park/greenway to potential future rail reactivation. Management control would provide the county a role in future planning, crossings and potential economic development along the corridor.

What's next: Hill said partners are working out how matching funds would flow to NCDOT and that proposed management agreements would be negotiated; the board was asked to consider whether it wants to continue as a partner in the acquisition process.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Person County Commissioners Meeting 09/15/25","oneSentenceSummary","Person County Parks & Recreation Director John Hill updated commissioners Sept. 15 on a Conservation Fund and NCDOT effort to acquire the Norfolk Southern 55'01 railroad corridor; Hill said the partners are in due diligence and expect closing between November 2025 and January 2026, and urged the county to secure management control.","taxTitle","Person County, North Carolina","taxId",73550,"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},6470463,"Commissioners approve moving forward on Piedmont Community College sublease for Zachary hiring center",1364,1364000,2728000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779569-ec6d8cb7b75fb02fca8862178f7dcab3&start=1364&end=2728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779569-ec6d8cb7b75fb02fca8862178f7dcab3/thumbnail_1364000.jpg","/articles/6470463/Person-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-moving-forward-on-Piedmont-Community-College-sublease-for-Zachary-hiring-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470463-6d915e4097805f683e744d1d4a4ae172/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922121&Signature=S4Aa9itzSROXNPKA6dqbz5DXC8M6IsYnoOhNyud9STBSkuPZMNNbVspYcBGZccDeqdEDlrg2NUu918SUEMoZYp0WFGJT8bSOVtownrQQCVCfAoTtgfD3CJ1hVZy467D77hMfkmSlZe1jGa6JzM2XTxJFKscGFsbtzpm22yqyUeBN-m1~DtMTM5B9N3A-iEdOa2MNwLrFSzr44e1l~brZUHXbx9lQa2gSr1EdXzgFVWhBWcN3RC9YkWa--wisKgw60non~-F3N~0JkNX13nrmTtkBUt7crK9MG1Q~f3rsVpn2EGNwJ2jVmyFqT~hJMAEx5WTogJ-9d94w-IUCKTiIMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Person County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 voted to allow Piedmont Community College (PCC) to pursue a sublease of roughly 5,000 to 6,000 square feet at the college's South Campus so Zachary can locate a hiring center and work with the college on training.

The action cleared the way for county staff and college leaders to negotiate lease terms; the board did not approve a final contract. County Manager Catherine (last name not specified in the transcript) reminded the board that the existing lease between the county and PCC requires the college to obtain the county's prior written consent to any assignment or sublease.

Dr. Kevin Lee, president of Piedmont Community College, said the sublease would create a pipeline from PCC students to jobs at Zachary and nearby Duke Energy work. \"Through this partnership, Zachary will be hiring approximately 1,000, workers,\" Lee said, adding the arrangement would help students obtain skilled trades jobs while remaining on the South Campus.

Speakers from the college and community told the board the plan would benefit students and local workforce development. Connie White, a member of the PCC board of trustees, called the proposal \"a win win'win\" for students, the college and the community. Ronald Booker, chair of PCC's facilities, buildings and grounds committee, urged the commissioners to \"please vote for this,\" saying housing an employer on campus that pays for space and hires graduates would be \"an incredible opportunity.\"

Representatives for Zachary and Duke Energy described construction and hiring timelines. Zachary Project Director Horton said work is starting immediately at the nearby Roxboro site and that the construction program would run through 2029, possibly to 2030 if a second adjacent project proceeds. \"This project's gonna be located right next to the current operating Roxboro Steam Plant. We're gonna be out there, starting today, actually, all the way through '29,\" Horton said.

Commissioner Webb moved to approve allowing negotiations to proceed; after no discussion the board approved the motion by voice vote. The board's approval was limited to allowing PCC and county staff to proceed with sublease negotiations and did not bind the county to any particular lease price or terms.

County staff noted further approvals will be required before any lease is executed.

Why this matters: Zachary and Duke Energy said the work will require large numbers of craft and construction hires; county and college officials framed the proposed on-campus hiring center as a way to connect local students to those jobs and to provide training in trades such as HVAC and plumbing.

What's next: Negotiations over lease price and contract terms. Any final sublease or use agreement would have to be returned to the county for approval before execution.

","The Person County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 15 to allow Piedmont Community College and county staff to pursue a sublease for Zachary to locate a hiring and training center at PCC's South Campus; the action permits negotiation but does not finalize lease terms.",{"_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},6470444,"Commissioners direct planning board to hold public hearings on zoning text amendments, RV parks and UDO cleanups",967,5134000,6101000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779569-ec6d8cb7b75fb02fca8862178f7dcab3&start=5134&end=6101","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779569-ec6d8cb7b75fb02fca8862178f7dcab3/thumbnail_5134000.jpg","/articles/6470444/Person-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-direct-planning-board-to-hold-public-hearings-on-zoning-text-amendments-RV-parks-and-UDO-cleanups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470444-caca57d51e28582edf1a008db7236372/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922121&Signature=hkeFVmXZ~FAZjgePGdtswnl-70ulvNdkmPKI6VRSg491qdMKIaqiQjHOYUF9X5vDbw1SlHoiilkhWKbjEbSXgnBnvb-m1nQKSzTruu7oT3E-pSi4Z7~x7uaEqcUJ5pkaeHkx5X6UJq09qOi2OHtV44ZiZDOYHC8d~GmqUBWCFJjrK4gGmTRP-1ZZo4bJNkFgWyH3B0xuqBCe21kcwXZpcuM5ffUR6Si3pGZAHPOM3T1Fpw~NkTKAu~CwjzWyCDKW7jegx3GquIm6-lNUXXWlbcDVG1jvwdNn0QmvC7Urjczhf5HkM4D6BcSV39HScUS4UP7d2Xjjg9xYLTC1ipHb7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Person County commissioners on Sept. 15 voted to ask the planning board to hold public hearings on a set of zoning text amendments and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) clarifications. The items include consolidation of similar uses in the permitted-use table, addition of defined uses, adjustments to certain special-use permit processes and proposed standards for RV parks.

Interim Planning Director Margaret told the board the planning board reviewed the packet and wanted confirmation that the Board of Commissioners supported moving the items to public hearing because the package was complex. She recommended against regulating short-term rentals through the land-use ordinance, saying enforcement is better handled outside planning and zoning.

\"My recommendation as a professional planner is that short term rentals really aren't a land use issue and really, aren't best managed through a land development ordinance,\" Margaret said. She recommended continuing to manage properties that clearly rise to business levels, such as bed-and-breakfasts and hotels, through existing rules.

Commissioners discussed timing and the desire to complete the work before the interim planning director leaves. Commissioner Wilburn and others said the consolidated approach will make the use table clearer for the public and for staff. Commissioner Webb moved to send the specified items to public hearing (the four bullet points in the agenda packet plus agreed clarifications); the motion was approved by voice vote.

The board asked staff to provide clear minutes or a summary of planning board public hearings when they occur so the commissioners have a record of speakers and positions. Margaret said she will group changes into bite-sized packages for public hearings so the planning board and public can more easily review them.

Why this matters: The changes would update and consolidate the county's UDO, clarifying which uses are permitted and how projects are reviewed. The revisions could affect future development approvals and the process applicants must follow.

What's next: The planning board will schedule public hearings on the approved text-amendment packages and then the Board of Commissioners will hold its own public hearing and consider final adoption at a subsequent meeting.","The Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 15 to ask the planning board to hold public hearings on several proposed text amendments including consolidation of use-table entries, new definitions, permitting changes and rules for RV parks; staff recommended excluding short-term rental regulation as a land-use tool.",{"_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},6470449,"Board awards $675,274 contract for Raleigh Regional Airport access road; commissioner recused",210,4683000,4893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779569-ec6d8cb7b75fb02fca8862178f7dcab3&start=4683&end=4893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779569-ec6d8cb7b75fb02fca8862178f7dcab3/thumbnail_4683000.jpg","/articles/6470449/Person-County/North-Carolina/Board-awards-675274-contract-for-Raleigh-Regional-Airport-access-road-commissioner-recused","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470449-40a50d82d361f21499b5e04c546604e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922121&Signature=XoFtLE0SXFqeLyeKhuINQc6N5Ba2trd7kBW18sQTn3sA4wvWE-pf38aJvEWZmvXqRH57FVjV2Hr5IpZ-zOXRj9N-RC4y6VKThXNmGJQgSEqUB04Io~pY3l784u-p7LhmH~46RfRVSPqDxr6ax7EjhGBGwQ~YpsZQ0IlXQtLh~3zZm60I25uT-TgokGSuw8iEa4yLUzmhFsfr4cytPQQg0sUcnzIs-9e6lB~VbM3Sk3GCFewzzfRlANyvxT4XUXd5VV4pqfERp1d037wAIzHPcFGoQJgt9MDYCJdOqVOc43NLev5TnwYY4yGnYMAwgYeZICJZRFiAERnkM9Hcm2YaTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Person County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 15 to award a contract of $675,274 to Fred Smith Company to rehabilitate the access road at Raleigh Regional Airport at Person County. The board also authorized the county manager to execute the contract pending legal review.

County Manager Catherine told commissioners the project will be paid initially from the airport construction fund and that the county will seek reimbursement from an Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) when the funding is received. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has approved the use of grant funding for the work, the manager said, but the county does not yet have the grant funds in hand.

The board first voted to recuse Commissioner Long because of a family connection to a paving business. Long announced the recusal and the board approved the recusal by voice vote. After recusal the board voted on the contract award; the motion carried and the board recorded a 4-0 approval.

County staff said they received one responsive bid on the second solicitation and that engineers worked with the bidder to bring the cost down to the county's projected budget. Staff also noted Fred Smith Company previously performed runway rehabilitation work at the airport.

Why this matters: The contract will repair the airport access road and is timed to allow the contractor to begin work Oct. 1, 2025, per staff. The county will use existing airport construction funds for the start of work and seek grant reimbursement later.

What's next: County staff to finalize contract language with the contractor and return a legally reviewed contract for signature; staff said they would pause if legal concerns arise.

","Person County commissioners awarded a $675,274 contract to Fred Smith Company for rehabilitation of the access road at Raleigh Regional Airport at Person County and authorized the county manager to execute the contract pending legal review. Commissioner Long recused from the vote.",{"_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},6470454,"Commissioners approve submission of FY27 community transportation grant with $67,005.99 local match",181,1138000,1319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779569-ec6d8cb7b75fb02fca8862178f7dcab3&start=1138&end=1319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779569-ec6d8cb7b75fb02fca8862178f7dcab3/thumbnail_1138000.jpg","/articles/6470454/Person-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-submission-of-FY27-community-transportation-grant-with-6700599-local-match","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470454-501fe1175114951f5b3ec57f6c86399f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922121&Signature=QCu6~v7RVrLbUCc6rGpUKs1TbU5DSP-Ej7zwRPsKk9Au9QQQlObW0CpuNqK1VhNkzqMs1jlIi89t7T0E-v45umXP8uVLtR9TRx4qW0qTydc7BqYrJMl4IwLR7uvSt8J8LNOAKl3bnohTM~tYIKdIPR1xXpJjsCPiSIoxh4ljmdOn8mp8VWMBy1UzS787kdiO6hd5zSZrG4DjtxxlcZc9dsucJaH-xq~j6odkf6zw4GwU026u0zJm0dAT5fRR-lTMe9cyutbpB7UFG8uwaCp0EGW1Jm1QZxsAlrezGeiXu8rp5YBg9ctfP6mie8GU17Gr0yRWZVdymJ4vcrL6X~omxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Person County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 approved the county's submission of the fiscal year 2027 Community Transportation Program (CTP) application, which seeks funding for operations and vehicle replacement for the county's transportation service, PATS.

Mitch Blake, representing Person County Transportation (PATS), told the board the program seeks two categories of grant funding: an administrative project of $208,260 that requires a 15% local match ($31,002.39), and a combined capital grant of $363,600 for three replacement vehicles and technology updates that requires a 10% local match ($36,360). Blake said the total grant awards requested would be $571,880 and the total local share would be $67,005.99.

Blake also summarized recent PATS activity: \"In FY 25, Pats accommodated over 54,000 trips and drove over 385,000 miles with our 14 vans and buses,\" he said.

The Transportation Advisory Board recommended applying for the funds at its June meeting; county staff presented the application in a public hearing before the board. No one spoke in favor or opposition during the hearing.

Commissioners closed the public hearing and then voted to approve submittal of the FY27 CTP application and the use of the local match amounts identified by staff. The measure passed by voice vote.

Why this matters: The requested funds would support daily transit trips and capital replacement for Person County's public transportation fleet, continuing services county staff say are heavily used by residents.

What's next: County staff will submit the application to NCDOT as approved and, if awarded, the county will use local match funds to secure the grant awards and procure vehicles and technology according to the grant terms.

","Person County approved submission of the FY27 Community Transportation Program application, covering an administrative project ($208,260) with a 15% match and a combined capital request ($363,600) for replacement vehicles and technology; total requested grant $571,880 and local match $67,005.99.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks director updates commissioners on rail-bank acquisition; public split over greenway plans

Commissioners approve moving forward on Piedmont Community College sublease for Zachary hiring center

Commissioners direct planning board to hold public hearings on zoning text amendments, RV parks and UDO cleanups

Board awards $675,274 contract for Raleigh Regional Airport access road; commissioner recused

Commissioners approve submission of FY27 community transportation grant with $67,005.99 local match