Fremont zoning
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on January 23, 2004 2:01 PM
Land and zoning issues highlighted the monthly meeting of the Fremont Town Board of Aldermen.
Town Administrator Tom Barnes said the demolition of three dilapidated homes should start within two or three weeks.
The project manager, David Harris of R.S.M. Harris and Associates of Goldsboro, said four homeowners had been approved for relocation. Three homes are in Fremont and one in Mount Olive.
"We had hoped to have enough money to do four" in Fremont, Barnes said. "But one of the four withdrew."
Modular homes will be constructed at the same sites.
Another rundown building led to a citizen's complaint during Tuesday night's meeting. The Rev. Travis Moore said the building at 201 E. Main St., on the northeast corner at Sycamore Street, was in terrible shape and asked the town for help.
"We're looking into what we can do," Barnes said.
The town board also approved a zoning change for 5.2 acres owned by J.A. Farms Inc. The land, between West Main Street Extension and N.C. 222, will be changed from residential-agricultural to highway business.
A lingering mobile home issue -- the replacement of a burned-out home -- will be discussed at 7 p.m. Tuesday during a special town board meeting.
James Barnes asked the town board for relief in August so he could replace a home at 505 Vance St. The town's Planning Board had denied the request, because the 40-year-old mobile home had been allowed to stay as a grandfathered, non-conforming use in the zone that no longer allowed mobile homes.
The town board on Nov. 18 approved a change to its zoning ordinance to allow the new mobile home and those used for business.
Meanwhile, residents on Vance Street asked that a rundown barn be torn down. But Tom Barnes said the landowner has not made a request to have it removed.
Other residents living near the Community Building, which has been used as a temporary town hall, also requested that the entire building be converted into a library. Part of the building is now the town's library.
Barnes said the Wayne County Public Library was studying the matter.
In other business, the board took these actions:
*Accepted the renovated Town Hall from the contractor and began moving back to the East Main Street building.
*Discussed a hazard mitigation plan and will discuss it further Tuesday.
*Asked for volunteers to fill vacancies on the Planning Board.
*Rescheduled the next regular meeting on Feb. 24, one week later than usual.
*Heard routine monthly reports from Police Chief Ben Reid and Public Works Director Tim Howell.