RCCC, community benefit from bond

If you know anything about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, you likely know that we have an extremely diverse student population. But, together, we have one thing in common. Our students are depending on the college to provide a 21st century education and prepare us for jobs of the future.

On March 15, our community will decide if our community college can go to the next level by upgrading and constructing facilities to offer state-of-the-art learning experiences. On the March 15 primary ballot you will find the Connect NC bond. This $2 billion bond proposal impacts higher education, state parks, agriculture, safety, and water and sewer. The important thing to know about this bond is that Rowan and Cabarrus counties will receive $7.2 million for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College if the bond passes.

This is a huge benefit to our community. It will improve all of these facilities without any need for a tax increase so we gain amazing benefits with no additional money out of our pockets as taxpayers.

When I graduate in May, I want to stay in this area where I have lived, worked, and become part of this great community. I believe this bond will allow many other students to do the same … to stay right here in Rowan County.

I am proud to be a student at Rowan-Cabarrus. I know my college is worth the investment. I hope you will also see that the students of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College are worth the investment. I ask that you head out to the polls on March 15 and vote YES for the Connect NC bond for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

— Tereysha Robles

Salisbury

Robles is the 2015-2016 Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Student Government Association president.

No Sno and little Biz

SnoBiz in Granite Quarry was on the front page of the Feb. 28 Sunday Post Business section. Why no SnoBiz in Salisbury? It is not allowed per current city ordinance. Buildings that are set up as semipermanent were allowed previously, and there may be a few remaining that are grandfathered.

Take the family to Granite Quarry and look at the SnoBiz on U.S. 52 at the former Winn Dixie. See if this should  be allowed in Salisbury. Is this an example of ordinance overkill in the effort to protect the city?

Another concern is that there is lots of property that the zoning was changed in the “conversion” to the new ordinance. The property owners were not aware that its zoning was being changed. Examples: Industrial Avenue, just off Jake Alexander Boulevard, is now no longer zoned industrial. Same for BF Goodrich and Gamewell Mechanical. My understanding is that the owners were not sent the usual rezoning notice by mail. Signs on the corners and newspaper ads were used by the city for public notice. The property owners did not know it applied to them.

The city complied with the letter of the law, but not the intent. The statute of limitations time has passed for a court appeal.

— John Leatherman

Salisbury

 

Rezoning opposed

On March 21, the Rowan County commissioners will vote to rezone a parcel on the corner of N.C. Highway 152 and Menius Road from residential to CBI (commercial, business, industrial). If passed, the rezoning will allow a business on a lot that has always been zoned for residential housing.

We are opposed to the rezoning for several reasons:

As the homeowner of a new custom-built home less than four years old, we believe that the rezoning will have a significant impact on the character and quality of our home and the neighborhood as a whole. The proposed rezoning is directly in front of our home.

There are plenty of other areas already zoned CBI and we believe that it is impractical and foolish to change existing residential zoning in a desirable residential area.

The entrance of the proposed business is right before a blind hill on Menius Road. The equipment and delivery of materials to this proposed business will pose an unnecessary risk for accidents and other traffic congestion.

We attended the planning and zoning meeting to express our concerns and opposition to this rezoning. The proposed business owner made it clear that he had no intention of investing any additional money to make the business aesthetically pleasing to this residential area.

We invite all of our Menius Road neighbors to attend the March 21 meeting at 6 p.m. Please ask the board of commissioners to vote against this proposal.

— Sherry Hicks

China Grove