Pikeville approves annexing parcel of land along I-795
By Dennis Hill
Published in News on November 5, 2013 1:46 PM
PIKEVILLE -- The Pikeville Town Board took steps to annex a parcel of land along I-795 at its meeting Monday night. Town leaders indicated the landowners plan to seek to have the property rezoned from agricultural to commercial use.
Since the construction of the four-lane highway just west of Pikeville and Fremont, town and county economic development officials have been working to take advantage of the road's proximity to boost business.
The move would initially allow the placement of billboards on the property, which is located on both sides of the highway on the south side of the interchange with Pikeville-Princeton Road. The land is owned by Billy and Shirley Sutton.
The change would make all four corners of the intersection zoned for commercial use.
"I'm hoping to entice some commercial activity," Town Administrator Blake Proctor told the board, noting that the southeastern section contained enough land for a side road to be built.
Proctor noted that the interchange just outside Pikeville is the only crossroad between Wilson and Goldsboro that is so close to a municipality.
Proctor urged the board to move ahead on the issue, saying it could annexed and rezoned by the first of the year.
In other business, the board endorsed a resolution drawn up by the Wayne County Board of Commissioners calling for Blue Cross and Blue Shield to come to "equitable and fair" terms with Wayne Memorial Hospital. The company plans to drop its coverage of patients at the hospital next month, saying the hospital charges too much for many procedures.
The resolution was approved, but not without some controversy. Its wording indicated the hospital does not overcharge and more than one board member said he could not say whether the claim was true or not.
Still, it was approved 4-1 and town officials said they hope an agreement can be reached.
Proctor noted that town employees are covered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
"The last thing we want is for them to have to go to Wilson," he said.
Board members discussed a proposed bonus for town employees, but could not come to a consensus on the issue and tabled it until its next meeting, which is on Dec. 2.
The board also approved a resolution thanking Boy Scout Troop 581 for painting the town's fire hydrants as a service project.