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Harnett County commissioners approve purchase of roughly 10-acre site for animal shelter
Summary
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the purchase of a roughly 10-acre parcel on U.S. 421 toward Sanford for a new animal shelter and adoption center after staff described completed due diligence and neighborhood outreach.
HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — The Harnett County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the purchase of land for a planned animal shelter and adoption center, county staff said during the board's Tuesday meeting.
County staff presented the site selection and initial due diligence for the roughly 10‑acre parcel off U.S. 421 toward Sanford. "It's about 3.1 miles of, toward Sanford on 421... a little over 10 acres," Barry Blevins said while showing a schematic of the site that placed the building near the road and animal runs behind it. Blevins said the project team worked with Shelter Planners of America and will issue RFQs for design and construction.
Staff told the board a Board of Adjustment special‑use approval was granted Jan. 16, a Phase I environmental assessment found no significant concerns, and a soils analysis performed Jan. 21 showed acceptable conditions for septic and other site uses. "The soils were good," Blevins said. He also said the property's boundary survey is complete and is expected to be recorded, and a topographic survey (TOPO) is expected in the coming weeks for engineering purposes.
Blevins said the N.C. Department of Transportation did not expect a turning lane would be required based on traffic counts, and that county staff had discussed driveway permitting and other DOT procedures. He also said staff notified and met with surrounding property owners and that there was no formal opposition at the Board of Adjustment hearing.
Following the presentation, a commissioner moved to approve the request to purchase the land for the animal shelter project; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The clerk recorded the vote as "ayes" with no recorded opposition.
Why it matters: The site purchase is a significant early step in establishing a county‑run animal shelter and adoption center, moving the project from site selection and permitting into property acquisition and the design procurement process. Next steps described by staff include recording the survey, completing the TOPO for engineering, issuing RFQs, and pursuing design and permitting milestones.
Staff and speakers: Presenters listed during the item were Barry Blevins and Colley Price, who addressed site selection, environmental and soils work, permitting discussions with DOT, and outreach to adjacent property owners.
What the board decided: The board approved the purchase of the identified parcel for the animal shelter project and directed staff to proceed with the next steps outlined in the presentation.
What's next: Staff said RFQs for design will be issued and that the survey recordation and TOPO should be completed in the coming weeks; DOT driveway permitting remains part of the permitting workflow.
