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By Mike Barnhardt

Enterprise Record

County commissioners approved the rezoning of three acres for an HVAC business off NC 801 in Advance last week after nearly four months of meetings.

Commissioner Benita Finney cast the only vote against the rezoning of the property, near Sowers Lane. Brad Rye, the HVAC business owner, had requested the rezoning.

Richard Poindexter, commissioner, made the motion for approval.

“My grandmother lived next to this property, so I’ve been there many, many times,” he said. “My main concern is that we be fair to everybody, and we have three parties here to be considered (neighbors, property owner, business owner).

“I want it to be fair to all,” he said. “The neighbors get all of the restrictions the business and the county agreed to … he moved his building and put a larger buffer by 25 feet … he has agreed to no outdoor storage and to provide waste containers, all at his expense.

“Everyone gets something, noone gets everything they want,” Poindexter said.

The conditions include:

• no outdoor storage;

• the rezoning is for general contractor type businesses only;

• the building must be at least 45 feet from a property line;

• 20 feet of buffer consisting of two rows of evergreens that must create a six-foot tall hedge within two years.

Answering a question, the county planning director, Johnny Easter, said that while his department does not do random inspections of conditions, all would have to be met before a certificate of occupancy could be issued. Problems after that are investigated when reported, he said.

The state departments of transportation and environmental quality would also have to approve construction permits, Easter said.

Commissioner Brent Shoaf said: “In my heart, I would rather see oak trees growing there forever; but at the end of the day, all things have to be looked at.” He mentioned a nearby property recently rezoned for business that set a precedent.

Finney’s response: “I think it should be obvious that this is not the place for this type of business, this is not a neighborhood type of business.”

Several of the residents who had spoken at previous public hearings also spoke, this time during the portion of the meeting set for residents to tell board members their concerns.

One of four spoke in favor of the rezoning. That was Tommy Browder, who said he came to know the Rye family after they bought his property.

“There is no better family we would want to welcome into our community,” Browder said. “I can assure you, if Brad says he’s not going to be dirty or nasty or spill stuff on the ground, then he’s not going to do it. He’s willing to do most anything.”

Neighboring property owners weren’t so sure.

Ashley Everette: “He (Mr. Rye) says he wants everyone to be happy, but none of the neighbors want this. Please listen to your constituents … and not just the ones who can buy million dollar properties.”

Jody Everette: “Now is your chance to send a message that Davie County is not the rezoning and uncontrolled development nightmare that many in the country already believe it to be. The residential taxpayers in the county are fed up with the rapid expansion of business and multi-family development. Vote no, thereby protecting the rural character of Davie County.”

Joe Everette Sr. suggested Rye put the business on other property he owns, including property adjacent to his residence. “Can he not keep it clean enough for his own property?”

Sandra Mooneyham: “This benefits only two people – buyer and seller. It does not fit into the rural character of Advance.”