County delays adoption of new land-use rules
Developers, farmers at odds; both want a re-writing

Real-estate developers and defenders of agriculture expressed conflicting views on rules proposed in a revised County of Johnston Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) during Tuesday night's public hearing before the County Commissioners.

They did agree on thing: The 619-page document isn't ready for adoption.

Developers pointed to proposed land-use regulations they claim will significantly raise the price of housing. That includes new rules on building setbacks, subdivision buffers, open-space and wetland calculations.

Farmers objected in particular to proposed restrictions on keeping of horses and chickens while voicing fears of being squeezed out by suburban residential growth.

In the middle of Tuesday's hearing, which lasted two and a half hours (most of the audience filled the hallway outside the board's meeting room), Commissioner Ted Godwin expressed frustration with the tone of what many of the evening's impassioned speakers had to say: "It hurts my heart when I get attacked personally because we're greasing the skids for the developers and trying to sell out the county. That's totally backwards. We're trying to slow things down so we can keep a little bit of sanity here in Johnston County instead of turning into Wake County."

"But at the same time," he continued, "when these folks move into these subdivisions, for everyone who wants to have four or five or ten chickens, there's a hundred people living around them who do not want it there, and that's what we're faced with.... caught right in the middle trying to figure this out."

Mr. Godwin noted that he grew up on a farm "off a dirt road" in the 1940s. "I love the farmers. They're my favorite people." Yet he acknowledged the magnitude of investments developers are making here. "That's their livelihood," he said.

Numerous speakers said they weren't aware of the proposed UDO re-write until the 11th hour, even though a number of public workshops and "stakeholder" meetings have been held over the past year.

At the end of Tuesday's hearing, commissioners agreed to heed complaints from both sides and consider modifications to the proposed UDO before scheduling another public hearing prior to adoption. "Sounds like we've got a lot of work to be done," concluded Commissioners' Chairman Patrick Harris.

WATCH the entirety of Tuesday's meeting on the county's YouTube channel>
 

Retiring town manager praised for his service

Smithfield's Town Manager Mike Scott was showered with words of praise during Tuesday night's meeting of the Town Council – his last before retiring January 31.

Mayor Andy Moore cited Mr. Scott's "steady and thoughtful leadership during a period of growth and change" and his "commitment to build a stronger professional staff" to guide the town's progress.

The mayor read a proclamation honoring the retiring manager. "Throughout his career, Mike Scott has been widely admired for his character – known as humble beyond measure, a loyal friend to many, and a leader who never hesitated to help those in need," the proclamation stated.

"Under his leadership," it continued, the town now has "one of the lowest debt ratios in recent history" and has "secured the greatest amount of grant funding in its history, including nearly $8 million in federal grant awards and nearly $19 million in state grant awards, thereby significantly enhancing the town's ability to serve its citizens and invest in its future."

Reflecting on his 42 years of service in municipal government here and elsewhere, Mr. Scott said "it's been a a great ride," adding that "every day I enjoyed coming to work." Addressing council members and staff, he said "this is all something we've done together," adding that "there's lots more to do."

Coming from Iowa, Mr. Scott was employed as Smithfield's chief of police in 2009. The council asked him to take the reins as town manager in 2016.

Following Tuesday's presentation, the council elevated Assistant Town Manager to the position of Interim Town Manager effective February 1. She was also designated as the town's representative on the board of ElectriCities of North Carolina – a position she previously held as town manager in Benson, which like Smithfield is also a municipality operating its own electrical system.

Last month the council authorized employment of a team of consultants to help the town recruit candidates for the manager's position, with a stipulation that the selection not be made until after the town's 2026-27 budget is finalized this spring.

Two new businesses permitted on N. Bright Leaf Blvd.

Following public hearings that drew no opposition, the council approved special-use permits for a couple of enterprises to operate in existing buildings: Adrenaline Designs, a tatoo shop ln the Centre Pointe Plaza shopping center, and Aruza Pest Control just up the street at 1338-A North Bright Leaf Boulevard. Those sites were already zoned for business yet special-use permits were required for those particular uses of property by the town's land-use ordinance as presently written.

Contracts approved for three recreation replacements

Approved by the council without discussion under Tuesday's Consent Agenda:
• $54,106 contract with low-bidder Outer Banks Tennis Contractors of Enfield for resurfacing two tennis courts and two basketball courts at Community Park and one tennis court at Smith-Collins Park.
• $8,000 contract with low-bidder TEBCO Fence of Wilson's Mills to repair and replace fencing along the greenway trail beside the Neuse River between the Market Street bridge and the old Boy Scout hut.
• $7,460 contract with low-bidder Heat Transfer Solutions 2 of Benson to replace the HVAC system at the Sarah Yard Community Center beside Smith-Collins Park.

Appointments to library board, recreation commission

Also on the Consent Agenda were the following actions:
• Public Library Board of Trustees – Jane Shipman reappointed to a third term.
• Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission – Andrew Tamer newly appointed.
Vacancies remain on the town's Appearance Commission (3), Historic Preservation Commission (2), Recreation Commission (4), and Planning Board (1).
 

The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation has employed Helen Caloz as its Events and Marketing Coordinator.

"Helen brings with her several years of experience in theater management, marketing, and event planning, along with a strong background in community engagement and creative programming," noted DSDC Executive Director Heidi Gilmond. Ms. Caloz currently serves as an Ambassador for the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce.

She grew up in Fuquay-Varina. "Her local roots give her a deep appreciation for the importance of strong downtowns and vibrant communities," Ms. Gilmond said. "Her passion for bringing people together through events and storytelling aligns perfectly with DSDC’s mission to support small businesses, promote economic development, and create meaningful experiences in Downtown Smithfield."

The Johnston County Visitors Bureau has promoted Sales Manager Kristin Radford to Sales Director.

“Kristin’s promotion is a tremendous step forward for our organization and for Johnston County’s growing visitor economy," said JCVB's CEO Aaron Mullins. "Her leadership will accelerate our long-term goal of attracting more meetings and events to the destination, strengthening the relationships and partnerships that fuel a thriving sales pipeline.”

Ms. Radford has beem JCVB's Sales Manager the past seven years, working in partner outreach, visitor services, and countywide tourism development initiatives.

"Looking ahead 5-10 years," CEO Mullins noted, "priorities include enhancing parks and trail networks, increasing facilities for non-traditional sporting events, and expanding the county’s accommodations with full-service hotels and meeting space."
 

The N.C. Department of Commerce reports that 123,318 Johnstonians held jobs in November – down from 124,427 in September (October's report didn't come through as a result of last fall's Federal Government shutdown). The number of Johnstonians unemployed rose from 4,028 in September to 4,585 in November, producing a rise in the jobless rate from 3.1% to 3.6%. North Carolina's rate in November was 3.8%; the national rate was 4.5%.
 

TEACHERS, SCHOOL NURSE SAVED STUDENT'S LIFE

Johnston County Public Schools last week presented Heroism Awards to Early College Academy teachers Susan Randolph and Aaron Lynch along with nurse Melissa Bridgers (left to right) for their response to a student's medical emergency on the campus of Johnston Community College in mid-October. Superintendent of Schools David Pearce thanked the trio for their "selfless act of love" as he presented the awards during the monthly meeting of Johnston's Board of Education: "You demonstrated compassion and care during that student's most vulnerable moment. Because of that, she is alive and well and growing stronger every day."
(Photo from JCPS Facebook page)
 

Project Lifesaver to keep track of vulnerable folks

The County of Johnston has launched a new program to aid search-and-rescue operations involving "vulnerable populations." That includes individuals at risk of wandering due to cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, autism, down syndrome, and other related disorders.

Funded by the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Services, and private donations, Project Lifesaver issues radio-frequency-emitting wristbands to qualifying participants who can then be located with receivers issued to deputies and EMS staff.

Enrollment in the program is now open for eligible individuals. Caregivers, family members, and community partners interested in signing up a loved one are encouraged to visit the county's Project Lifesaver website>
 

 WHAT'S COMING UP 

Public reception for retiring town manager this Friday
The event to honor Mike Scott – who came to Smithfield as chief of police in 2009, elevated to town manager in 2016 – will continue from 2 till 5 p.m. in Town Hall's Council Chambers. He plans to retire at the end of this month. 

MLK Parade postponed because of icy weather threat
The Johnston County NAACP has postponed its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade that was scheduled for this Saturday until February 21 because of this weekend's winter-storm forecast.
 

 DEATHS AND FUNERALS 
Click on the name to read an obituary, usually posted by the funeral home:

It appears this truck with an Amazon trailer was attempting to make a right turn off Second Street to head west on Market Street Wednesday when it demolished a utility pole that brought down the traffic signals there. North Second Street? When did that become a route for large trucks to reach West Smithfield's Amazon distribution center? (JoCo Report photo by John Payne)

 A WORD (OR TWO) FROM THE EDITOR 

Market Street is Smithfield's center of attention

It was surprising to this reporter that not a single word was spoken at any point during Tuesday's Town Council meeting about the removal of parking along Downtown's Market Street. Nothing was said by the mayor or council members, and no one stepped up to address the issue during "Citizens Comments."

Folks are left wondering: What's coming next?

N.C. Department of Transportation representatives laid out options for making Market Street safer for both motorists and pedestrians during a presentation to the Town Council last March – 10 months ago! But nothing more was heard about it until November's announcement by NCDOT that it had decided on its own to post "No Parking" signs along Market – a move postponed until after the holidays.

Belatedly, the town last month set up a "task force" to talk with NCDOT about what's to be done with the busy thoroughfare now that a no-parking option is in place.

Wishful thinking includes making Market a "No Trucks" boulevard (U.S. 70 Business is a federal highway outside the town's control) or converting it back into a two-lane road through town as it was with angled parking during the first half of the 20th Century (the photo below from the car show during last year's Ham & Yam Festival shows what that might look like today).

Among options presented by NCDOT engineers last March:
• High visibility crosswalks.
• "Leading Pedestrian Interval" for traffic signals at intersections.
• Raised traffic medians and pedestrian curb extensions at intersections.
Those items would be done at the state's expense.

To address the parking issue, NCDOT suggested converting short portions of aintained Second and Third streets into one-way pairs with angled parking on one side (a decision the town would have to make). Another option would keep parking on one side of Market.

Stay tuned. Perhaps we can have some welcome "breaking news" soon....


 

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