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Residents press Henderson Council on rezoning concerns and homelessness during public comment
Summary
Several residents urged the Henderson City Council to reconsider a rezoning near homes that could allow racetracks and asked the city to pursue housing and treatment options for people experiencing homelessness and substance-use disorders.
Multiple residents used the public-comment period at the Jan. 9 Henderson City Council meeting to press elected officials on zoning impacts and the local homelessness response.
Sheila Newman said she learned that a rezoning that adjoins her property would allow racetracks and urged Council to consider neighborhood disruption; she read a letter on behalf of her husband, Russell Newman, asking for relief. "I had learned that Council had approved a rezoning which adjoins my property that would allow racetracks," Newman said during public comment.
Greg Etheridge urged elected officials to justify land-use decisions against the City Comprehensive Plan.
Several commenters described housing access and treatment gaps. Nicole West, a Lifeline resident, said finding housing is difficult and that housing support could help reduce crime. Pastor Janice Hargrove, director at Lifeline, credited volunteers for helping people during recent extreme cold and asked Council to consider housing vouchers or emergency housing; Mayor Eddie Ellington offered to convene a follow-up meeting with the manager and Pastor Hargrove.
Whitney Gulley described difficulty navigating processes to propose use of city-owned property after visiting the Vance County Tax Office; City Manager E. Terrell Blackmon clarified that the city "currently does not own any homes" but noted the city does own vacant lots jointly with the county and could consider homesteading or other programs if homes become available and are in suitable condition.
Cheryl Pauley warned that the impending closure of the RJ Blackley Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center would remove a local treatment option and called for a building to house rehabilitation services to avoid worsening substance-use problems.
The public comments produced no formal Council votes; concerns raised were recorded in the minutes and Mayor Ellington said staff would follow up on specific requests.
