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Econ. Dev. seeks approval to buy 17 acres near LaVico for site development; council to consider resolution
Summary
The county’s economic development arm proposed using site/job fund dollars to buy a 17‑acre parcel in the LaVico area to assemble a master‑planned site for future economic uses. The committee moved the resolution to county council for review.
The Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation asked the committee to let the county administrator execute documents to purchase a 17‑acre parcel near LaVico (Seabrook area) using the county’s site/job fund. John O’Toole, economic development director, described the parcel as industrially zoned and proximate to legacy chemical‑plant property; the site would be prepared via survey, environmental due diligence and master planning before marketing to potential employers.
O’Toole said appraisals indicated market value ranges and that the negotiated purchase price would place the county below appraised ranges. He emphasized the county would not immediately rezone or market heavy industrial uses; instead staff would plan for low‑impact industrial uses, agricultural processing, land‑based fisheries or other employers compatible with water‑quality considerations and community expectations.
Committee members asked about environmental cleanup near adjacent properties with prior industrial use; staff said voluntary cleanup agreements and environmental due diligence would be required before closing and before marketing the site. O’Toole said the site/job fund existed to assemble product and make sites marketable; the committee agreed to forward the resolution to county council for formal approval.
