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Commissioners approve three rezones, deny contested RV‑park rezoning after neighbor opposition; approve lease and utility easement
Summary
Cumberland County commissioners unanimously approved three rezoning requests (ZON‑260001, ZON‑26‑004, ZON‑260005), denied a separate rezoning tied to a proposed RV park (ZON‑260003) after extensive resident objections about road access and neighborhood character, and approved several administrative items including rejecting mosquito‑control bids, a lease‑intent for Coastal Horizons Center, and an electrical easement for Cliffdale Landfill.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners held a slate of public hearings and votes on March 17 at the historic courthouse, approving three rezoning requests, denying one contested rezoning tied to a proposed RV park, and approving several administrative measures.
Planning staff presented four rezoning cases. For ZON‑260001 (rezoning a small parcel south of the Fayetteville city line from O&IP to C1P for a small commercial use), Director of Planning and Inspections Rawls Howard said staff recommended approval and reported a 9‑0 planning‑board recommendation; Commissioner Patel moved to approve and the board voted unanimously to adopt the rezoning.
Two additional downzonings — ZON‑26‑004 (to A‑1 in the Bethany area) and ZON‑260005 (McCormick Farms, roughly 82 acres to A‑1) — were presented by Howard with staff recommendations and planning‑board support; Commissioners Faircloth and Tyson respectively moved to approve both, and the board approved them unanimously.
A fourth case, ZON‑260003 (a request to change R‑40A to A‑1 for a roughly 5‑acre tract on Critter Creek Road), drew the most debate. Howard said the applicant had mentioned an intent to use the property for an RV park but that any RV‑park permit would require a separate quasi‑judicial board‑of‑adjustment process. Commissioners raised concerns about the access road (a private Class C road), deeded easement language, and whether the road could support additional traffic.
Neighbors and community speakers objected in force. Gwyn Elliott said the rezoning “will put an end to our country life as we know it now,” citing added traffic and noise. Ed Poe, representing Willis Creek AME Zion Church and neighbors, told the board, “This is not about farmland. It’s about the RV park,” and urged commissioners to deny the request. Kent Ronneke and other residents described narrow, eroded private roads and said upgrades would be expensive and legally complicated. Commissioner Tyson referenced access and easement concerns and announced his opposition.
Commissioner Patel moved to deny ZON‑260003 on the grounds the request was inconsistent with the South Central Land Use Plan and not in the public interest; the board voted unanimously to deny the rezoning.
Votes at a glance • ZON‑260001 (O&IP to C1P) — Approved (motion by Commissioner Patel; planning board 9‑0; no public speakers) SEG 1214 • ZON‑26‑004 (R40A CUD to A‑1) — Approved (motion by Commissioner Faircloth; planning board 9‑0) SEG 1309 • ZON‑260005 (RR/PND to A‑1, McCormick Farms) — Approved (motion by Commissioner Tyson; planning board 9‑0; applicant represented by Scott Flowers) SEG 1443 • ZON‑260003 (R‑40A to A‑1; applicant intent discussed as RV park) — Denied (motion by Commissioner Patel after public opposition) SEG 1592
Other board actions • The board unanimously rejected all bids for IFB 2620‑CTY (ground mosquito control standby contract) after staff reported complications with the bidding process (motion by Commissioner Tyson). SEG 2209 • The board approved a resolution of intent to lease space to Coastal Horizons Center and authorized publishing the notice and returning with a final lease in May; staff said the 14‑month figure of about $21,200 includes base rent plus operational costs. SEG 2250 • The board approved an electrical easement for Lumbee Electric Cooperative at Cliffdale Landfill and amended the authorization so the county manager may sign the document to expedite execution. SEG 2302
Why it matters: The zoning decisions affect property‑use patterns in multiple parts of the county and underscored tensions between private‑property rights and neighbors’ concerns about traffic, safety and rural character. The denial of ZON‑260003 shows commissioners prioritized plan consistency and access issues where community opposition and road constraints were pronounced.
What’s next: Several items will require follow up: if an applicant pursues an RV park at ZON‑260003, that proposal would need a separate board‑of‑adjustment permit with detailed evidentiary review of road upgrades, fire‑safety access and other conditions. The Coastal Horizons lease will return to the board in May with final terms.
