Neighbors opposed to rezoning lot on Wayne Country Day Road
By Dennis Hill
Published in News on July 19, 2005 1:45 PM
Neighbors opposed to the rezoning of a wooded lot on Wayne Country Day Road to allow construction of a medical office had their say Monday.
About a dozen people living near the lot at the southeast corner of Wayne Country Day Road and Isaac Drive attended a public hearing held by the Goldsboro City Council. Several spoke in opposition to the rezoning of the two-acre residential lot sought by J. Isaac Gurley Farms.
Landowners on all sides of the property signed a protest petition against the rezoning, which means the council would have to have at least six of seven members voting for the change for it to be approved.
Tommy Gibson lives on the opposite side of Country Day Road from the lot. He said if it is paved the runoff from the site would make flooding even worse at his home.
Kenneth Coor said the property's owner had promised to keep the neighborhood residential only. He cited the house restrictions required by the developer when creating the subdivision along Isaac Drive and said permitting the medical office would "endanger our whole community."
Dr. Roy Heidicker said he had recently moved the neighborhood and was "shocked" to learn about the possible construction of the medical center. He asked the council to deny the request.
Brad Gurley, speaking on behalf of the developers, said the property owners could not afford to simply let the land sit idle and that it would be difficult to find a buyer to build a home on it, considering the amount of traffic along Country Day Road.
He apologized for offending any neighbors, saying the owners just wanted to make the best use of the property.
Terry Forrest , who lives on Isaac Drive, urged the developers to reconsider the request. He said he knows a doctor who would be eager to buy the property and build a home on it.
The city Planning Commission is expected to have a recommendation for the council on Aug. 1.