Residents urge enforcement on derelict properties and local leaders warn about HB 765

Speakers during the public comment period at the May 19 Union County Board of Commissioners meeting urged the board to enforce existing local ordinances on neglected properties and expressed opposition to pending state legislation they said would erode local zoning control and strain county services.

Resident Kimberly Morris Morrison Hansley told commissioners she has repeatedly reported uninhabited, dilapidated properties — citing pictures she has provided in earlier visits — and asked the county to enforce existing standards on property maintenance. Hansley said she would submit a public records list of properties and expected the county to use existing ordinances to address vehicles and other yard violations.

Deb Helms, who identified herself as an unincorporated Union County resident, thanked the board for prior actions to preserve farmland and said she opposed North Carolina bill HB 765, which she said would increase density and limit local control. Helms argued that higher density would increase demand on schools, roads and other public services and that state legislators proposing the bill would not bear the local costs. She urged the county commission to continue resisting the legislation.

A third speaker, Joel Down, offered a prayer for commissioners as they finalize the county budget and consider the jail project; the meeting transcript shows his comments as public comment rather than a county action.

These comments were part of the public comment segment; commissioners acknowledged the remarks but no formal policy action was taken at the May 19 meeting. The board discussed related agenda items (including the jail update and budget matters) in later business items.