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Hamlet council tables acceptance of donated Raleigh Street parcels pending asbestos test
Summary
Council will not accept two donated Raleigh Street parcels tonight and asked staff to determine asbestos scope before further action; one parcel contains a burned house and the other is a vacant lot with split zoning allowing more housing potential.
The Hamlet City Council voted to table consideration of two Raleigh Street parcels offered as a donation and asked staff to arrange asbestos testing before deciding whether to accept the properties.
Staff told the council the first parcel is roughly 20,000 square feet and currently contains a burned single-family dwelling; the second parcel is about 10,000 square feet and vacant. Staff said one parcel is split-zoned—part B2 (general business) and part R6 (residential)—and that, subject to subdivision, the R6 portion could yield multiple single-family lots. The presenting staff member described the properties as “nuisance” lots the elderly owner wished to donate to the city to avoid continued maintenance responsibility.
Council members raised potential downsides: Chief Goodwin (referenced) and others noted the city would assume responsibility for demolition, abatement, and ongoing maintenance if it accepted the donation. One council member suggested using the burned structure for a fire-department training exercise but cautioned that asbestos inspection and abatement could be costly. As a result, the council voted to table acceptance and directed that asbestos testing be performed to determine the scope and cost of any required abatement before returning the item for action.
Council did not commit funds for abatement tonight; staff will report test results and recommendations at a future meeting.
