SALISBURY — Rowan County commissioners voted Monday to schedule a public hearing March 2 for Project Toaster, which requests tax incentives for an expansion of an unnamed, existing company in the county.

Rowan Economic Development Commission Vice President Scott Shelton said in a memo the company involved in Project Toaster would create 56 new jobs over the next three years.

In another matter, the board agreed to withdraw its application from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for a “no wake zone” to be established for Panther Creek at High Rock Lake in southeastern Rowan County.

Commissioners voted Feb. 3 to apply for the “no wake” zone from state officials following a request from the Emerald Bay Homeowners Association. After a public hearing, which consisted of half a dozen residents expressing concerns for safety and property damage, the board voted to suggest all of Panther Creek be included in the application.

But after confusion with the process, said chairman Greg Edds, the board collectively agreed to withdraw it for now. If the Emerald Bay Homeowners Association wishes to pursue the application for the “no wake” zone further, it’s best for all interested parties feel included and involved in the process, Edds said.

Some residents of nearby Panther Point banded together on Facebook and with an online Change.org petition to express their opposition to the measure. They have primarily said placing the whole creek in the zone was unnecessary and would take away from its recreational value.

Before the consent agenda was approved in what was a short meeting, Edds reminded citizens not to litter after announcing that more than 800 pounds of garbage had been picked up in the last week off East Ridge Road.

Other items on the consent agenda that were approved included:

• A request from the Rowan County Health Department Immunization Program to provide a Hepatitis B vaccine in two doses given a month apart instead of the current version that requires three spaced over at least six months, creating a more cost-effective dose set.
• A request from the Cabarrus/Iredell/Rowan HOME Consortium to schedule a public hearing on March 2 for the HOME Funding Action Plan. Currently, Rowan County anticipates receiving approximately $147,000 in project funds for fiscal year 2020-21, with a recommendation for the board to allocate or match 25% of the project funds. Eligible program activities in the county application include rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing, down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers, demolition and new construction.
• A second vote to approve Subdivision Text Amendment 02-19, which seeks to widen county roads and modify turn-around standards to assist emergency medical services. The board voted to approve the measure after a Feb. 3 public hearing, but due to Chairman Greg Edds’ absence, the measure was tabled for a second reading at the Feb. 17 meeting.
• A request from Spencer Town Manager David Treme for Rowan County to donate its 52% ownership of a parcel of land — 50 feet by 145 feet — located at 600 South Yadkin Ave. in Spencer. The land is jointly owned by both Rowan County and the town of Spencer, and the town intends to use it for a public purpose yet to be determined.
• A request to approve a change order for the library’s West Branch in the amount of $9,456 to repair holes in the old ceiling and install insulation.
• A request from the Rowan County Health Department to approve the integration of Healthy Rowan funds through the Novant Health Rowan Medical Center Foundation via the Duke Endowment.

Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at (704) 797-4246.