County explores 2.92-acre Grovertown site for public base; legal steps required before purchase

Summary

County staff identified a 2.92‑acre site in Hamlet as a possible Grovertown base. Commissioners directed staff to contact the owner and pursue appraisals and a nonbinding letter of intent; legal counsel noted two appraisals and an ordinance naming the property would be required for a formal offer.

County staff presented a 2.92‑acre property north of the tracks in Hamlet as a possible new Grovertown base. Jim said the site has two ingress/egress points and is near a former gas station and the golf course. Commissioners raised zoning and utility questions and discussed whether sewer/water or septic would be practical for the site.

Legal counsel advised that, for a county purchase, state/local procedure requires two appraisals and an ordinance identifying the property; counsel recommended obtaining appraisals before making a contingent financial offer. Commissioners agreed to ask Jim to contact the owner to express interest and to seek appraisals and a nonbinding letter of intent that would include contingencies (appraisals, zoning, and municipal approvals).

Commissioners also discussed whether the site’s municipal location would require working with Hamlet on rezoning, a special-use permit, or a variance. No purchase ordinance or binding agreement was adopted; the county will pursue appraisals and consider a nonbinding letter of intent contingent on appraisal results and necessary municipal approvals.