The Onslow Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning that could provide for more than 150 new housing units. The approval came after two public hearings held during the regular session Monday, January 3, 2022.
The Board also received an update on the changes in handling COVID-19 from Onslow Health Director Kristin Richmond-Hoover. She indicated the changes made in quarantine times and was asked about the impact of testing for the County as well as the impact of vaccinations for young people and all to avoid serious effects from breakthrough cases. Hoover indicated those with vaccinations and boosters, are far less likely to require hospitalization if they do contract COVID-19.
One of the public hearings asked for a rezoning of a less than half an acre site on Richlands Highway from Residential 15 to Highway Business. The site is near Stillwood Drive. It followed a similar request nearby for conversion from residential to business that was denied at a previous meeting of the Commissioners. Staff noted that this project was next to a Dollar General and that there was no protest from neighbors. The rezoning was recommended by the Planning Board and was approved on a six-to-one vote with Commissioner Mark Price dissenting.
The second rezoning approved is for Tokman Foods LLC which seeks to rezone a nearly 20-acre site located on Queens Creek Road in the Swansboro area from Rural Agriculture to Residential 15. The site is near Smallwood Road. The new rezoning allows 10 units per acre.
As a ‘clean up’ from the passage of another sign ordinance within the zoning ordinance, an outdated version still on the books was repealed.
The Board of Commissioners authorized action to put up for sale surplus land on Miracle Drive, an amendment to the Atlantic Seafood Company’s Performance Agreement at the Camp Davis Industrial Park. COVID-related supply chain and associated economic issues delayed completion of the work required at the site.
Further, the Board of Commissioners reappointed Jerome Shaw and Kyle Fountain as members of the Board of Adjustment. The Commissioners appointed Andre Purvis, Theresa James and Rev William McCoy to the Eastern Carolina Human Services Agency Board. Darlene Johnson was appointed to the Onslow County Library Board of Trustees. Sandra Crane was appointed to the Regional Aging Advisory Committee.
Items on the consent agenda included Budget amendments, tax releases and refunds, previous meeting minutes, a proclamation, an update to the County Records Retention Schedule as required by the State and a certificate of satisfaction for a debt paid to the County.
The Commissioners also accepted grants connected to the COVID-19 Vaccination Program and the US Department of Justice associated with the Onslow Sheriff’s Office for personal protection equipment.