Board to wait on ETJ zone vote
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on September 15, 2005 1:48 PM
KENANSVILLE -- The Kenansville Town Board Monday night tabled a vote on establishing an extra-territorial jurisdiction around the town until its Dec. 5 meeting.
The board is considering a plan that would create the zone that would extend for a mile beyond the town's existing town limits. The town could control development within the extra-territorial jurisdiction.
Kenansville Town Clerk Cristal Jenkins said the town board of commissioners is undecided about the extra-territorial jurisdiction and want more information about its effects on people living in the affected area and more discussion with the property owners that would also be affected.
Town officials are also considering annexing the 12-acre Duplin Commons development, which lies across from James Sprunt Community College. The development includes the new county agricultural offices and a 2,000-seat events center that is expected to open soon.
County officials are hoping to have Kenansville annex the Commons, which would permit the sale of alcoholic beverages. The town council has been split on the proposal, with some members against it and some undecided. She said those who are undecided "don't want to make a hasty decision and regret it later."
A committee of town board members wrote County Manager Fred Eldridge a letter voicing concerns about the annexation. Ms. Jenkins said Eldridge didn't receive the letter in time to respond.
The annexation issue is expected to appear on the agenda for the Kenansville town board's next meeting on Oct. 3.
"We hope to get all the answers by then," Ms. Jenkins said.