Mike Alba

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and establishment of a quorum. Key agenda items included the request for a continuance of the Sandy Lane Homes Reszone item to the April 1st, 2026 meeting, which was discussed, and the subsequent hearing of public comment from a resident concerned about traffic congestion due to existing schools and churches near their street. The board subsequently voted to continue the reszone item. The second item concerned a request for a special exception for The Rock Church to allow the use of a church, new assembly building, classrooms, and a daycare component in the A1 agriculture zoning district. Staff detailed compliance with special exception criteria, noting the need for the new special exception due to code updates, and presented an analysis on traffic generation, which warranted an updated daycare cap of 141 children. The applicant clarified that the new assembly building is for church use and offices, and that they were not impacting the conservation area, while also noting changes made to buffering since the initial community meeting. Legal counsel provided commentary regarding state preemption concerning private schools within existing church facilities versus the requirement for a special exception for the new daycare component. The board was advised that the legal opinion supported the special exception request for the daycare component. Near the conclusion, staff attorney Nissa Borcat requested time to summarize potential legislation affecting the rural boundary, which was agreed to be addressed at the end of the agenda.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and pledge led by Pastor Andy Sirill from Church Together. Key discussions centered on honoring the retirement of Roads and Stormwater Division Manager Owen Reagan after more than two decades of service, with multiple commissioners providing commendations regarding his character, leadership, and expertise in infrastructure projects. A second resolution honored Marilyn Karate, a dedicated member of the League of Women Voters and an advocate for democracy, for her significant contributions to civic education and her pivotal role in the development and review of the county home rule charter. Additionally, the County Investment Report was presented, noting steady bond market conditions and recommendations for rolling over maturing securities into fixed-term pools to secure current yields. The session concluded by establishing rules for public participation regarding items on the consent agenda.

The meeting commenced with an announcement that agenda item number five regarding 9483 Shortleaf Court was withdrawn by the applicant. The Board outlined procedures for public comment, emphasizing respectful engagement and time limits. Key agenda items involved requests for variances, including the enclosure of a carport at 500 Palmosa Avenue, requiring a north side yard setback variance from 10 ft to 1 ft; the enclosure of a carport at 2605 Holly Road, needing an east side yard setback variance from 10 feet to 8 1/2 ft; and a request for a height variance for fence columns at 500 Sweetwater Club Boulevard, seeking to increase the height from 5 feet to 7 feet due to code changes. Item number four concerned replacing an existing pole screen enclosure at 528 Pineong Drive, which encroached 3 feet into the rear yard setback. Item number six addressed a request for a rear yard setback variance from 30 ft to 9.7 ft for a shed addition on an existing garage at 3425 Lee Court. Finally, item number seven involved a request for a front yard setback variance from 20 feet to zero feet for a 6ft high privacy fence constructed on the front property line at 125 Nshawa Avenue.

The meeting began with acknowledgments of visiting elected officials, including Mayor Megan Sladic and Commissioner Sarah Reese. An invocation was given recognizing Black History Month, emphasizing reflection on African-American contributions and civic responsibility. The session included the proclamation of Master Sergeant Charles Hedge Jr. as the Veteran of the Month, detailing his extensive military service and subsequent community involvement. A second proclamation designated February 2026 as Black History Month in Semino County, celebrating the heritage of African-Americans and highlighting historic local communities like Georgetown and Goldsboro, as well as educational contributions. Miss Lana Miller accepted the proclamation on behalf of Radiantly Black Magazine. Later in the meeting, Gee Kuna and Amy Kirkland presented the final program report for the Seminal State College Commits initiative, an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded program designed to support small businesses and workforce development post-COVID-19. The report detailed that the initiative served nearly 1,200 students through no-cost, community-based education and workforce training, resulting in specific outcomes such as 50 students earning ServeSafe certifications and 14 students earning their GEDs.

The Board meeting addressed several variance requests related to property setbacks for fences and enclosures. The first item was withdrawn by the applicant. The second item involved a request for a side street setback variance from 25 feet to 11 feet for a privacy fence at 987 Autumn Glenn Lane, which involved discussion regarding encroachment into a utility easement and an existing code enforcement violation for construction without a permit; this request was approved by a vote of three to one. The third item concerned a request for a side street setback variance from 15 feet to 8 feet for a privacy fence at 1414 Swinton Court within a Planned Unit Development, which was also approved. The fourth item involved a request for a side street east setback variance from 50 feet to 37 feet for a pool screen enclosure replacement in an A1 Agricultural District, which was approved.