By Josh Bergeron
josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — County commissioners on Monday could give final approval to a land use plan for an area of southern Rowan that will receive an Interstate 85 exit.

The plan comes as the Rowan County Board of Commissioners develops plans to extend water and sewer lines into unincorporated areas of southern Rowan County for economic development purposes. The area in question is focused around a proposed Old Beatty Ford Road exit on I-85. It sits southeast of China Grove’s city limits and contains some parts of the Bostian Heights community.

Within the plan are suggestions about types of development preferred for areas around the proposed interstate exit.

For example, the plan suggests light to heavy industrial developments immediately southeast of China Grove, along China Grove Road. It suggests a wide range of developments — residential, commercial and industrial developments — along a new section of Old Beatty Ford Road that will be built between Bostian Road and I-85. The plan suggests commercial and residential developments on a new section of Old Beatty Ford Road that will be built between I-85 and Lentz Road.

Residential developments are suggested for an area near Carson High School.

In addition to approving or denying the plan, commissioners will hold a public hearing.

The public hearing will occur Monday during commissioners’ regularly scheduled 6 p.m. meeting. The meeting will be held on the second floor of the county’s administration building — 130 West Innes St.

In other business on Monday’s agenda:

• Teramore Development LLC will ask commissioners to close an unopened road called Crosby Street to build a commercial development.

The Crosby Street proposed for closure is located near Grace Church Road and South Main Street. It’s not connected to the Crosby Street in Salisbury.

Monday’s agenda documents state that Teramore Development acquired three contiguous parcels of land on Grace Church Road. It’s asking to close the unopened road in order to proceed with an unspecified development.

Commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing before deciding whether to approve Teramore’s request.

• Commissioners will consider approving contracts for the renovation of the county airport’s terminal building.

Construction will involve building a new conference room and renovating existing space. The total amount of the contract is $381,222. The proposed contract is with Modern Construction Services LLC — based in Cornelius.

The contract appears on commissioners’ consent agenda, used for items without opposition.

• Commissioners will hold a closed session for “attorney-client privileged communication.”

One potential topic is the ongoing prayer lawsuit in federal court. Commissioners have not yet decided whether to appeal a ruling that commissioners past prayer practices were unconstitutional.

Monday’s agenda does not specify what type of legal matter commissioners will talk about in closed session.

• Commissioners will hold a public hearing to consider a rezoning adjacent to the county’s animal shelter on Julian Road.

The rezoning would change land designated rural residential to the commercial, business and industrial classification. If approved, the rezoning would help Rowan County government reconfigure one of its recycling convenience centers.

County staff and the Planning Board recommended county commissioners approve the rezoning.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.