Residents and planning board applicants used the public-comment period to raise land-use concerns and to seek planning-board appointments during the Alamance County commissioners’ organizational meeting.

Carol Davis, a property owner on Kimesville Road, told the board she was speaking on behalf of neighbors along Clap Mill Road and urged commissioners to oppose a proposed landfill that she said will come before the county in 2026. Davis said the stretch of Clap Mill Road has transformed into a quiet residential community and warned the landfill would bring “heavy truck traffic, engine noise, diesel exhaust, and dust throughout the day” and bright nighttime lighting. “Who wants to live next to a landfill?” Davis asked, urging the board to consider impacts on property values and quality of life.

Separately, Lee Kimry introduced himself as an applicant for the county planning board and advocated for the county to designate appropriate industrial and commercial locations and to work with municipalities to identify areas that require significant infrastructure. Henry Vines also requested reappointment to the planning board and noted the planning board’s multi-year work on a unified development ordinance.

Planning staff reported eight applicants for one vacancy and said the planning board had unanimously recommended Henry Bynes to fill the seat. Despite that recommendation, commissioners moved to appoint a different applicant from the list; the board voted to appoint Lee Kimry to the planning board.

Planning staff also reminded the board that the unified development ordinance requires no more than two planning board members represent the same township, a constraint commissioners cited while discussing appointments.

The public comments and the appointment underscore continuing community debate over land-use, zoning and how the county balances growth with preserving rural character. Commissioners did not take formal action on any landfill proposal during the meeting; Carol Davis asked that the board oppose the landfill should it appear on an agenda in 2026.