AG 1998 01 20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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We do not contend that industrial development is unnecessary. However, providing a blanket rezoning up to the most intense land use without appropriate safeguards is not in anyone's best interests. It is not realistic to limit this development to only 100,000 sq ft buildings on 7-acre parcels; at the same time, it is unwise to grant General Industrial zoning to such a large site as 500+ acres. 7. The site would create excessive noise, dust, air and light pollution, and other impacts. The environmental impacts of industrial sites are well known; that is why they are often buffered with other land uses. Noise from manufacturing activity and truck deliveries, dust from manufacturing and processing, chemical smells and occasional spills, bright high-profile lights that penetrate nearby woods, increased criminal activity and other impacts have been well documented in the planning literature. Most jurisdictions account for these impacts in their zoning. These impacts can be controlled, but not through this rezoning proposal. Actions we recommend As we noted above, we are not opposed to development, and many of us have worked hard with County officials and others to ensure that Cabarrus County has the right mix of land uses, appropriately located. However, this proposal, although well-intended, is ill- conceived, inappropriately located, and too large for its site. We therefore recommend the following: 1. Deny the request in its entirety, and begin a review of the Western Area Plan. Based on the above analysis, we believe that the proposed rezoning should be rejected. However, the issue of appropriate land use in the western area of Cabarrus County needs immediate attention. Therefore we call for an immediate joint review of the Western Area Plan, by the City of Concord and Cabarms County, with significant citizen input. The Area Plans were designed for update and revision every 3-5 years, so as to continually be in tune with the overall development of the County. This review should be undertaken regardless of whether or not the rezoning is approved. We ask that the requesters withdraw their proposal, and allow this discussion to occur. 2. Short of that, rezone only a portion of the proposed area as Limited Industrial, with conditions. If the area is to be rezoned, then limit that rezoning to the parcel immediately adjacent to the Airport entrance (Motley land), which is also adjacent to Limited Industrial land on the south. This site is shown in Map 2. These two parcels, about 75 acres, are more appropriate for Limited Industrial classification than the entire area, since this classification maintains the land use buffer between Limited Industrial and the residential subdivisions, reduces the impacts of traffic, is adjacent to the present Limited Industrial classifications to the south along Derita Road, and allows direct access to Interstate 85 via Speedway Bvld