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Residents raise questions about assessments, transparency, emergency response and noise at Surry meeting
Summary
Multiple residents urged clearer information on reassessments and tax impacts; during a separate public hearing on battery storage, commenters urged stronger emergency-response planning, independent review and lower noise limits before projects move forward.
During the public comment portion of the April 3 meeting residents raised a range of concerns spanning recent reassessments, county communications and proposed battery storage projects.
On assessments, residents said some individual property values rose substantially and asked for more transparency about how the increases will affect tax bills and what appeals options exist. "My house increased by over $40,000. Personally, I consider that absolutely obscene," said Helena Eggleston of Dedren.
At the battery ordinance public hearing, several residents praised the potential tax revenue but urged caution on safety and review. Shalom Pierce asked the board to avoid voting the ordinance the same night and recommended hiring an independent reviewer to check applicant-prepared materials. Other commenters — including a safety professional and a retired technology director — urged the county to ensure first responders have necessary equipment and training before any large project proceeds.
Board members acknowledged those concerns and noted that project-specific conditions, noise studies and emergency-response plans would be required during the conditional use permit process for any battery project.
