[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6470490,"mediaKeyId","5779514-776abf38cf59b129d36083fdc0b8e034","parentId",5779514,"title","Commissioners approve rezoning of 430 acres on Lower Moncure Road to light industrial over planning board recommendation","audioSeconds",1191,"startMs",1833000,"endMs",642000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779514-776abf38cf59b129d36083fdc0b8e034&start=1833&end=642","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779514-776abf38cf59b129d36083fdc0b8e034/thumbnail_1833000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6470490/Lee-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-rezoning-of-430-acres-on-Lower-Moncure-Road-to-light-industrial-over-planning-board-recommendation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470490-b097ed24cc6de5613ae63c74bb7eed95/orig.mp4?Expires=1775742026&Signature=lRIiqEqVqsGexqUJDWONIV5WXcTx5pA-dmypK61OXk9ajIsMxgDzVDNSnma2m4mY9JmKK5FCO0PHmG1X9hCNu6yJeghxU032NEyuDOoN2mWJ7wODC39zgKVBd3icoxUAQQbU-FliUjJrx2yBHG1QyUgQUziWsIUdSu1MJ7CKUCoUg8PsmkYl-VMYM8T7pTsZSCy~TFL~PxhMH6b8hiOxgHSoUWN5lqCOI-oA4wLTDiRYeIxipgpScYNYimFLfU4SXIKqBvT0ktDllirrwZZmmGgcS4qfBfBskUnRaGPdFlEtmrLJZIdyytRm9ZJLkru4nPZArDLettysuAOSS17SjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lee County","date","2025-09-17T14:27:56Z","article","The Lee County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 15 to rezone 430 acres with frontage on Lower Moncure Road from residential‑agricultural (RA) to light industrial (LI), clearing the way for a proposed light‑industrial business park.

The planning board had recommended denial by a 4‑3 vote after concerns about traffic, environmental impacts and enforceability of voluntary commitments. Amy McNeil of the county planning department summarized the planning board’s August 18 recommendation and noted that the applicant, John Keener, submitted a letter that was placed on the commissioners’ desk.

At public comment, supporters and nearby property owners differed. Steven Baber, representing at least eight adjacent property owners, urged commissioners to approve the rezoning and warned that denial could produce city annexation and larger residential subdivisions. \"Looking at the worst case scenario, which would be 1 shift, everyone coming in at the same time, that will be about 2,800 trips less per day than what will be generated by a 430, sub, home subdivision on the same site,\" the applicant’s representative said, referencing a traffic study submitted with the application. Other neighbors who had opposed the petition earlier told the board they had reconsidered and supported approval to avoid city annexation and residential development.

Commissioners discussed plan consistency. Using sample motions provided by planning staff, the board first adopted a motion (\"option 3\") that the proposed zoning amendment is both \"consistent and not consistent\" with the adopted comprehensive land use plan (referred to in the packet as \"San Lee\"). The board then approved a second motion finding the rezoning to be reasonable and in the public interest and changed the zoning from RA to LI.

The motions as read in the minutes cited two rationales: that roughly 25% of the developable land aligns with industrial center place type and leverages existing infrastructure, and that about 75% of developable land is designated countryside, which does not generally support industrial zoning. Commissioners who supported approval emphasized market timing and the county’s interest in economic development and commercial tax base; those who opposed had raised concerns earlier about environmental buffers, noise, lighting, and the inability to enforce voluntary commitments under a general‑use rezoning.

The rezoning will permit light‑industrial uses by right; voluntary commitments such as buffers and limitations on development south of the rail line were described in the applicant’s letter but, as staff reminded the board, cannot be enforced through a general‑use rezoning unless converted to legally binding instruments.

Provenance (transcript excerpts):
\"My name is Steven Baber... I'm here to speak in favor of the requests before the board for the rezoning of 4 30 acres from residential agricultural to light industrial.\" (block_id: \"1833.34\", reason_code: \"topicintro\", evidence_excerpt: \"My name is Steven Baber. I live at 3644 Lower Montier Road, Sanford. I'm here to speak in favor of the, requests before the board for the rezoning of 4 30 acres from residential agricultural to light industrial.\")

\"Okay. We have the motion to approve the proposed zoning map amendment from residential agricultural to light industrial...\" (block_id: \"3711.095\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\",\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Okay. We have the motion to approve the proposed zoning map amendment from residential agricultural to light industrial, because it is reasonable and in the public interest given the acreage needed for an industrial park and that the location and timing for the development of the industrial park tends to be market driven and is therefore difficult to factor into a long long range land use plan.\")","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lee County Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Lee County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 15 to rezone 430 acres on Lower Moncure Road from residential‑agricultural to light industrial, approving a developer’s request to create a light‑industrial business park.","taxTitle","Lee County, North Carolina","taxId",55520,"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},6470493,"Lee County begins public hearing on limited-obligation bond to buy Coca-Cola warehouse; board approves resolution to seek LGC approval",1525,238000,1763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779514-776abf38cf59b129d36083fdc0b8e034&start=238&end=1763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779514-776abf38cf59b129d36083fdc0b8e034/thumbnail_238000.jpg","/articles/6470493/Lee-County/North-Carolina/Lee-County-begins-public-hearing-on-limited-obligation-bond-to-buy-Coca-Cola-warehouse-board-approves-resolution-to-seek-LGC-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470493-9883ec21437b2d0a0a431a78c0cf9b8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775742026&Signature=EKZj5YiRZltVL4mzOTjh4ngq6JHAc0yerzYZ6B9nrBHLniuDxk54dj4dCEJyea1qGRAbLCK9L9iKh4O61gQdk1r~44CAo2jWq9zTinIfqpVDHAEy5Rw23R2MalzqtGcd5~ZGyrKQH-pcULZZ2rxbfUizNB3Rl6Qkhb00H49jbMfDbbiL1uDb5JoAhr3I7DI88cKIJjbgeC1djDWX-v3DexYqsIJuSXQFewryFORR95nMQKnN-mmbdzFYQX372qI~6miLBNvCjVbg9fXq8oGM6QIvu1xn3yPyDCYuxCuvtMvkI0PybUgtZ88iTqDlj-t4hTEgwNRZe5iYSi3vgvfSrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lee County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing Sept. 15 on a proposed limited‑obligation bond to finance purchase and improvement of the former Coca‑Cola warehouse to house public‑safety and transportation vehicles and related administrative functions.

County financial adviser Mitch of Davenport told commissioners that the county ran a direct bank loan request for proposals and received six offers. \"JPMorgan provided the lowest interest rate... which was a 3.97% for a 15‑year term,\" Mitch said, adding that the financing would be prepayable after Nov. 1, 2030.

The presentation described the financing structure as a limited‑obligation bond that would be secured by a mortgage on the new warehouse and would require findings and determinations from the board before the Local Government Commission (LGC) considers the financing. Staff said a final resolution returning with complete terms would come to the board Oct. 6 and that the LGC meeting is scheduled for Oct. 7; closing was projected for mid‑October if approved.

During public comment, several residents urged the board not to buy the building and asked that leasing and other locations be reconsidered. Alan Rummel, of 1001 Northview Drive in Sanford, opposed the purchase and said the county would pay a roughly 50% premium over the building’s prior sale price 13 months earlier. \"A 50% premium over 13 months ago just seems crazy to me,\" he said, and urged staff to publish detailed improvement plans and lifecycle cost projections before the county commits taxpayer dollars.

Commissioners pressed staff for information about alternative properties and parking constraints, and some urged pausing the acquisition to review options, citing the county’s other capital needs. Commissioner Martin asked staff to revisit a previously discussed property and provide pricing; staff responded that they had inspected the site but had not received a price from the owner.

The board first voted to \"waive our policy\" to take action the same night as the public hearing, then approved a resolution \"making certain findings and determinations regarding the proposed financing of a warehouse facility, approving the purchaser and requesting the Local Government Commission to approve the financing agreement.\" Commissioners cast the aye votes aloud; no roll‑call names were recorded in the transcript for that final motion.

Next steps described by staff: finalize terms for the Oct. 6 meeting packet, submit the application to the LGC for its Oct. 7 meeting, and, pending approvals, close the financing later in October.

Opposition at the hearing focused on purchase price, lack of publicly available upfitting and operating cost projections, and whether leasing could be more economical. Supporters of moving forward argued that ownership would secure a long‑term county asset for fleet and public transportation needs.

The board did not adopt a purchase tonight; it approved the interim financing resolution and the process that will let the county seek LGC approval and return with final terms.

Documents referenced at the meeting — the staff financing recommendation, the draft resolution, and the RFP results — are on file with the clerk and were discussed during the public hearing.

Votes at a glance: the board voted to waive the policy on same‑night action and approved a resolution requesting LGC consideration of the limited‑obligation financing.

Provenance (transcript excerpts):
\"We are here tonight to conduct a public hearing regarding the limited obligation bond financing agreement to finance the Coca Cola building...\" (block_id: \"238.915\", reason_code: \"topicintro\", evidence_excerpt: \"We are here tonight to conduct a public hearing regarding the limited obligation bond financing agreement to finance the Coca Cola building, serving as the new warehouse facility to be used for public safety vehicles, equipment, and housing various administrative functions, and vehicles for the public transportation system.\")

\"Motion's been made to move forward, making certain findings and determinations regarding the proposed financing...\" (block_id: \"1739.2201\", reason_code: \"topicfinish\", evidence_excerpt: \"Motion's been made to move forward, making certain findings and determinations regarding the proposed financing of a warehouse facility approving the purchaser and requesting the local government commission to approve the financing agreement.\" )","The Lee County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing and approved a resolution to advance limited-obligation bond financing to purchase and upfit the former Coca‑Cola warehouse; county staff recommended a JPMorgan proposal at a 3.97% interest rate for a 15‑year term, and opponents raised concerns about price and alternative options.",{"_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},6470484,"Commissioners approve $200,000 in ARPA revenue‑loss funds for emergency foster‑care placements",494,4446000,4940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779514-776abf38cf59b129d36083fdc0b8e034&start=4446&end=4940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779514-776abf38cf59b129d36083fdc0b8e034/thumbnail_4446000.jpg","/articles/6470484/Lee-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-200000-in-ARPA-revenueloss-funds-for-emergency-fostercare-placements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470484-9076ac97028c2bca33364e5808278b59/orig.mp4?Expires=1775742026&Signature=dHvlEgPH308SdoQLgEeey3zV1Cnu97w1XkPSXIhKTVjPJi1cjNAuBHNt9r0NnpKtYYtAcURmlyb7LcwbZxpsWV~TI9Jge7XMsbFZclgq8uW3YX2QxJBZG0NJCvJL-XBMD8btaQr4lDDgLeaLNLL7f8-v3iHLLcTwzJ83DbMhbmvKzUKnLOWPyXbQUN~CurnPwgaI4PWL8rD1xcT7eTLJWZ2Q6r6ntld64O9bb31YhUps04aYINi1ymzA30zJR5p0JoqBvZeXB8Df1KI5RbjM0lFEytpLKReZ-G4LMOpEghV23F3k57YZrMJj~7N~L1UIHWl0~ePWYbXU~sQVv1WFaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lee County Social Services requested and the Board of Commissioners approved $200,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) revenue‑loss funds Sept. 15 to support emergency placements for children in foster care.

Angelina Noll, presenting for the Department of Social Services, described the program’s purpose: to provide enhanced payment rates to placement providers when a child with significant behavioral‑health needs is awaiting an appropriate higher‑level placement (\"level placement\") and to avoid children sleeping in the DSS office while placement is found. Noll said a 2024, state‑directed $100,000 appropriation had been nearly exhausted and that the county’s request would extend the ability to negotiate temporary enhanced payments until a long‑term placement is secured.

Noll noted the state’s kinship payment structure now allows unlicensed relatives caring for children who do not become licensed foster providers to receive half of the standard board rate; if the relative becomes certified, full board rates apply. She said the department is actively recruiting licensed foster parents and conducts MAP training to certify new foster homes.

Commissioners asked about outreach and suggested recurring public seminars to recruit and inform potential foster families; staff said they conduct training and outreach and would explore additional public events. Commissioner Sharp endorsed the request: \"I can't think anything better than spending $200,000 on foster children.\" The board voted verbally to approve the funding; the motion passed with no recorded dissents in the transcript.

Implementation: staff said the funds would be administered by Lee County DSS and used to provide temporary enhanced payments for placement providers and to help stabilize placements while the department secures appropriate long‑term settings. The motion to allocate ARPA revenue‑loss funds was approved during the meeting.

Provenance (transcript excerpts):
\"I'm before you tonight to request to authorize the use of $200,000 of ARPA revenue loss funds for emergency placement funding for children experiencing foster care.\" (block_id: \"4446.6147\", reason_code: \"topicintro\", evidence_excerpt: \"Good evening chair and commissioners. I'm before you tonight to request to authorize the use of $200,000 of ARPA revenue loss funds for emergency placement funding for children experiencing foster care.\")

\"We have a motion. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?\" (block_id: \"4932.3853\", reason_code: \"topicfinish\", evidence_excerpt: \"We have a motion. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?\")","Lee County approved a request to allocate $200,000 of ARPA revenue‑loss funds to provide enhanced emergency placement payments for children in foster care to avoid children remaining in offices or experiencing placement disruptions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve rezoning of 430 acres on Lower Moncure Road to light industrial over planning board recommendation

Lee County begins public hearing on limited-obligation bond to buy Coca-Cola warehouse; board approves resolution to seek LGC approval

Commissioners approve $200,000 in ARPA revenue‑loss funds for emergency foster‑care placements