The Local Skinny! Council Approves UDO To Update Zoning, Development Ordinances

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UPDATED: Dec. 9, 2024 – 11 PM

The Henderson City Council adopted a unified development ordinance – UDO – which updates a number of zoning and subdivision ordinances, many of which have been in place since the 1970’s.

City staff and planners have spent the last year working with Insight Planning Consultants to develop the UDO. The price tag for the contract with the consultants is $99,000, which included the UDO the comprehensive plan adopted in July 2022.

The UDO is designed to be a comprehensive document that brings together the full complement of, in this case, city regulations regarding zoning and subdivisions as one way to bring consistency to regulations with regard to property development, design guidelines, sign regulations among others.

In a 4-3 vote, Council members decided to end a decades-long agreement with the county to provide building code services. City Manager Terrell Blackmon explained that the termination should take place Dec. 31, 2024, meaning the services would end in June 2025.

Blackmon said currently, the county collects the fees, and the next six months would be used to determine whether the city can undertake code enforcement on its own, or whether it could contract the services of another provider.

Blackmon also said the city could choose to renegotiate with the county to provide services.

Fees would generate revenue to help offset the costs of having city personnel do the work that now is being done by the county.

Council members Garry Daeke, Lamont Noel and Sam Seifert voted against the move.

During the discussion before the vote was taken, Mayor Melissa Elliott called the current situation “antiquated” and said the city “shouldn’t stay in a chokehold with the county.”

In other business before the Council:

  • Finance Director Joey Fuqua and auditor Alan Thompson shared information about the annual audit, which included no findings – good news for the city’s accounting of funds. In fact, Blackmon remarked that in addition to having no findings, the city managed to put about $4.7 million in fund balance.
  • A recommendation passed to place 2 all-way stops on West Young Avenue, following a traffic study to look into safety and visibility concerns. The signs will go up at the High Street and McBorne Street intersections.

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Original Update Dec. 9, 2024 – 12 Noon

The Henderson City Council will meet at 6 p.m. tonight for its regular monthly meeting. There will be a public hearing to receive comments about the unified development ordinance – UDO – before the Council considers whether to adopt a plan that updates to a number of zoning and subdivision ordinances, many of which have been in place since the 1970’s.

City staff and planners have spent the last year working with Insight Planning Consultants to develop the UDO. The price tag for the contract with the consultants is $99,000, and included the UDO the comprehensive plan which was adopted in July 2022.

The UDO is designed to be a comprehensive document that brings together the full complement of, in this case, city regulations regarding zoning and subdivisions as one way to bring consistency to regulations with regard to property development, design guidelines, sign regulations among others.

Attend the meeting in person or view via livestream at https://henderson.nc.gov/. Click on City Council Meeting on the right side of the page to find the link.

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TownTalk: Farm City Luncheon Held At Farmers Market

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The folks who gathered at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market for the Farm-City luncheon were treated to some good ol’ Southern style food – fried chicken, barbecue, with all the fixin’s, but surely the sweet treat came when local historian Mark Pace shared a brief – but comprehensive – history of agriculture in the area we call home.

There is little doubt that agriculture has been a major player in this area since before the county was established – tobacco was king, but over the years, other products have provided livelihoods.

The Continental Plant Co. in Kittrell touted “the largest stock of choice strawberry plants in the world,” or so a headline on the cover of the spring 1898 catalogue reported.  The company shipped plants all over the continent – $1.25 per 1,000 plants.

The Blacknalls ran 3,000 acres for the Continental Plant Co., Pace said. “They shipped all over the world because of the railroad,” he said.

J.P. Taylor started his tobacco operation in Vance County, which later morphed into Universal Leaf.

E.G. Davis had a side-hustle with his chicken farming business, Pace said. Locals will know where it was located: That’s right – Chicken Farm Road.

The cotton crop helped create the mills that, for years, churned out products for the textile industry. Back in the 1840’s, cotton was selling for between 7 cents and 8 cents a pound, Pace said.

“Just about every farm had a little grove of mulberry trees,” he said. What likes mulberry trees? Silkworms. And, though brief, there was a large silk industry in the area. No wonder – at that time, a pound of silk was worth $4 a pound.

A lot of good farmland now rests below Kerr Lake, that manmade resource that has been the source of water and recreation for many since the late 1950’s.

And nobody is surprised to hear statistics of decreasing farm ownership, given the rise of residential housing and other development that has no association with agriculture.

The Vance County Farm Bureau provided a snapshot of information about agricultural production in the county, all conveniently located on paper placemats on the luncheon tables.

The average farm size is about 225 acres, down by almost 20 percent from 2017.

The county has just more than 38,000 acres of farmland, but that figure is down a whopping 42 percent from just seven years ago.

There are 108 female farmers and 172 male farmers, and 88 new and beginning farmers in the county.

Farmers are increasingly aging out of their chosen livelihood – it’s a hard job that often takes a toll on health and finances. Today’s farms may look different than those of decades past, but agriculture continues to be strong in Vance County.

Extension Horticulture Agent Michael Ellington said it’s important to know the history of agriculture in our county, and it’s equally important that farmers provide mentorship to the next generation to make sure that agriculture’s future remains bright.

Listen to Pace’s talk in its entirety at www.wizs.com.

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Vance County Logo

The Local Skinny! Vance County Commissioners Give Bonuses To All County Employees

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All Vance County employees will get a one-time bonus in next week’s pay period – $500 for all part-time staff and $1,000 for full-time staff. The approximately $280,000 will come from the fund balance.

The Vance County Board of Commissioners approved a recommendation from the Human Resources Committee presented by Assistant County Manager Jeremy Jones at their regular monthly meeting on Monday.

County Manager C. Renee Perry recommended that the board cease paying exempt employees overtime pay when they volunteer to take extra shifts because of staffing shortages; rather, they will get comp time for the additional hours worked.

Perry told the board that is what is spelled out in the county’s personnel policy, but that policy hasn’t been followed for several years.

This comes amidst a countywide salary study, the results of which are not yet available. “I believe that when the study is done, it will fix itself,” she said of the overtime issue and the pay scale for employees.

As part of internal control procedures, Perry said she reviews employee timesheets and can see the hours that staff turn in. “Now that we’re catching it, we need to go with the personnel policy,” she told commissioners. My recommendation is to stop the straight time pay,” she said. “Consistency is key.”

Money to fund the overtime had been available from lapsed salaries and from funds allocated for positions that have not been filled, but Perry said not all departments have those extra funds.

“It’s not fair to pay one group and not another,” she said.

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Clarke Elementary Family Resource Center Open For Business

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Clarke Elementary now has a Community Schools Family Resource Center, and school and community leaders celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting Tuesday morning.

The Family Resource Center will serve as a hub to connect families with resources ranging from academic support to access to health and community programs, according to information from school officials.

There’s a food pantry and a clothes closet, with all items free of charge to those in need.

Clarke Elementary Principal Dr. C’Monee Wilkins and Community Schools Coordinator Krystle Lindsey, along with Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott, Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson and others marked the official opening of the resource center.

The Family Resource Center is a one-stop shop to provide guidance, connect families to valuable services and strengthen community partnerships.

The resource center is located in Room 121, right across from the front office.

It’s open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but is also open by appointment. Please contact Lindsey at klindsey@vcs.k12.nc.us to learn more.

In addition to food and clothing, families can access other services, including laundry machines and access to shower facilities and computers.

‘Festival Of Trees’ Sign-Up Extended Through Dec. 12

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The City of Henderson’s Downtown Development Commission invites you to join in the fun and participate in the Festival of Trees that will be on display for the Very Merry Henderson Holiday Fest on Saturday, Dec. 7 and beyond.

Participation is free for businesses, organizations and individuals. The Festival of Trees will be held in the gallery between McGregor Hall and Perry Memorial Library. Reserve a space by contacting Tracy Madigan at 252.425.0844 or email tracymadigan@henderson.nc.gov.

Here are a few friendly guidelines to keep in mind:

  • No live trees – only artificial trees
  • Set up Thursday, Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon; Sunday, Dec. 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 9-12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • If your tree is lighted, please bring your own 10-foot or 20-foot extension cord
Duke Energy

Duke Energy Customers Will See Slight Drop In Rate Prices

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The North Carolina Utilities Commission approved the Duke Energy Progress request to lower customer rates by 4.5 percent.

The lower rates begin this month.  In a message to WIZS, Duke Energy’s Local Government and Community Relations Manager Beth Townsend said, “It’s important to note that with the cold snap we’re having right now, most customers are using more energy compared to last month – we had a very warm fall. If you’re running your heat around the clock, your next bill will be higher of course – but it will be 4.5 percent lower than what it would have been under the old rates.”

In a press release from Townsend, it’s indicated that Duke Energy Progress residential customer rates in North Carolina will decrease 4.5 percent as part of an annual adjustment for the cost of fuel used to generate electricity at the utility’s power plants.

The release said, “A typical residential customer in North Carolina using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month will see an overall decrease of $7.34, or about 4.5 percent lower than prior rates… That is 11 percent below the national average of $174.21 – a difference of approximately $235 per year.”

Commercial customers will benefit too, from an average decrease of about 6.3 percent, while industrial customers will see an average decrease of less than 0.1 percent.

Duke Energy Progress serves about 1.5 million customers in central and eastern North Carolina, including Raleigh, as well as the Asheville region.

24-Year-Old Henderson Woman Dead From Gunshot Wound In Tuesday Altercation

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— information courtesy of Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

 

A 24-year-old Henderson woman is dead and another woman has been charged in connection with the shooting death that happened on Vance Street Tuesday afternoon.

According to Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow, officers went to the 800 block of Vance Street about 4:15 p.m. on a report of a shooting.

When they arrived, they located several individuals, including the victim, Ja’neta Teiona Wynn and the suspect, Shamiar Carter, 40, also of Henderson. Wynn was found to have been struck by gunfire and was transported immediately to an area hospital where she soon after succumbed to her injuries.

Information gathered indicated that an altercation occurred with several individuals involved, which led to the suspect discharging her firearm. Carter remained on scene and was detained by law enforcement soon after arrival. The suspected firearm was also located and seized along with several other items of evidence.

Carter has been charged with the homicide and has been remanded to the Vance County Detention Facility without bond.

We are thankful for the information and cooperation we received from the public during this matter. We would appreciate any other information the public may have that might prove helpful. Please feel free to contact us through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925 or P3 app, at 252.438.4141, or through Facebook Messenger.

 

 

TownTalk: Joint Public Safety And Fire Commission Meeting

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Plans should be in place by summer 2025 to send an additional fire department to structure fires in the county, a move that has the potential to save lives and property, not to mention having a possible positive effect on the county’s insurance rating and property owners’ insurance premiums.

Brandon Link, president of the Vance County Firefighters Association and chief of the Watkins Volunteer Fire Department, said the idea of sending a fourth department on calls was solidified at a recent joint meeting of the county’s public safety committee and the fire commission.

Although a work conflict prevented him from attending the Nov. 20 meeting, Link said he was briefed by others in attendance.

The county commissioners had earlier given the green light, but the plan “had been in a holding pattern for a while,” Link said, partly because the county was conducting a fire study to consider restructuring the county’s fire departments, all but one of which are volunteer departments.

Link said he believes the Vance County Fire Department will remain the lone fully staffed station to provide support to departments when they get dispatched to fire calls.

When that additional department is dispatched, it means there will be more trucks, more water and more personnel on scene to more quickly extinguish fires and get control of the situation.

Those are the three main criteria that are factored in to determine a county’s insurance – ISO – rating. A better ISO rating translates into lower premium bills for property owners.

“It’s something we’ve all been asking for, close to five years now,” Link said.

Unfortunately, those premiums won’t be going down for this five-year cycle, he said, adding that the decision was “bittersweet – we knew it was going to make a difference… we missed the boat (this time) but hope to get it next time.”

Making the necessary changes to get that fourth department included on calls takes a little doing. The 911 dispatchers use a response matrix to determine the order that departments are called to fires, Link said.

“It is exciting, (but) it’s a long process,” he noted, adding that a good bit of the groundwork has been laid – now it’s just a matter of getting that information put into the system.

Link said there’s a good mix of seasoned and new, or newish, chiefs of the various departments who are “walking in lockstep together, which to me is a good sign.” Everyone wants what is best for the county, and his colleagues are willing to do whatever they can to provide the best service possible.

County Manager C. Renee Perry and the commissioners have heard their needs, requests and options for providing fire service, he said. “They understand our love and passion and desire to do our job.”

As for the fate of the Vance County Fire Department, Link said local fire officials have expressed their desire for it to stay in place and that the county would be “taking a step backwards” if changes are made to the way it operates. “They are vital to us in what we do,” he said of the paid firefighters at that station.

And while appreciative of all the part-timers and volunteers that are the backbone of the other departments across the county, Link said that’s not enough coverage. Part-timers and volunteers have jobs or other commitments. “They’re not obligated to respond,” he said, but “they’re committed to respond – when they’re available.”

The state requires a minimum of four firefighters to respond from the primary fire department dispatched to a call, but Link said there could be as many as eight or nine who show up.

Add four that come from VCFD – plus the chief if it’s a daytime call – and another three or four from the secondary department and now from that fourth department, and there could be upwards of a couple of dozen people on the ground to combat the fire.

But that number could just as easily be halved, he added, depending on the number of volunteers and part-timer firefighters who are available.

Having more people and equipment responding to a fire call could help when it comes to ISO ratings, Link noted.

Drewry maintained its ISO rating of 5. Epsom improved to a class 4. The Watkins department improved its rating to 5 this year. Several other departments have been evaluated but haven’t gotten their score yet, and the last three departments should be completed in the next few months. The results are a report card of sorts to reflect performance.

 

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