Raeford council approves $10,000 to Downtown Business Association; hears updates on Robbins Heights grant and apartment proposal

The Raeford City Council voted Feb. 1 to provide a one-time $10,000 contribution to the Downtown Business Association to help fund a part-time website manager as the group works to restart events paused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brad Calloway, president of the Downtown Business Association, said a website has been established to serve as an event hub and that six event sponsors have signaled support; the association requested the funding to cover roughly 15 hours per week of a website manager for the calendar year. Councilwoman Mary Neil King moved to approve the $10,000 contribution with equal payments through the remainder of the year; Councilman Charles Allen seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

During other reports, City Manager Dennis Baxley said the Robbins Heights grant is "on hold" pending an environmental review that has been delayed by the COVID-19 crisis. Felecia Locklear told the council she had received an informal proposal for an 83-unit apartment complex on a 6.5-acre parcel on the north end of Main Street but said the city's ordinance would limit the development to about 65 units (approximately 10 units per acre) and that the ordinance requires two direct street connections for developments of 50 or more units; the proposal, she said, shows only one direct street access and one connection through an existing strip mall, which would not satisfy the two-access requirement.

Resident Sherra Washington used the public-comment period to urge residents to review their insurance policies for a "war clause" and whether such language would exclude pandemics, wars or suicides from coverage.