Permit for cell tower eyed
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on July 27, 2012 1:46 PM
Two people spoke during a public hearing concerning a conditional use permit for a communications tower during Monday's meeting of the Goldsboro City Council.
The requested permit is for U.S. Cellular to build a tower near the northwest corner of New Hope Road and Central Heights Road.
One person spoke against the measure, questioning safety and what the tower would mean for property values, while a representative from U.S. Cellular spoke in favor of the permit, saying there were no safety concerns and that he had never observed a communications tower having any effect on property values.
The Planning Commission will meet July 30 and have a recommendation on the request at the Aug. 6 council meeting.
The council approved the scheduling of a public hearing on the noncontiguous annexation request for the southeast corner of Buck Swamp Road and Huntington Drive and the transfer of ownership of a jointly-held foreclosure property to Wayne County with the approval of the consent agenda.
Other measures ap-proved by consent included the acceptance of a $94,181 bid by Cunningham Recreation to build four shelters at Stoney Creek and Berkeley parks, and a large budget amendment appropriating more than $5 million of previously unassigned funds from the city's fund balances.
An addendum to the contract between the Police Department and the city of Charlotte was also approved as Charlotte seeks additional law enforcement assistance for the Democratic Convention to be held in September.
Departmental reports concluded the consent agenda except for a late addition, which makes City Manager Scott Stevens eligible for all salary and benefits adjustments that other city employees might receive.
Pulled from the consent agenda was an ordinance awarding a contract for roof repairs to the city's building at 2406 E. Ash St. The building, which the city purchased last July, needs a new roof but a temporary solution was being discussed.
Stevens said the city will wait and evaluate other options.