By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
Members of the Rowan County Planning Board gave their blessings Monday to a conditional use permit for the relocation of a metal recycling center off U.S. 29 south of Salisbury.
The request was made by Randy Beach, owner of Mr. Metal’s Core Recycling at 4160 S. Main St., Salisbury. Beach is looking to move his business south to a seven-acre tract near the intersection of Peach Orchard Lane and Hader Street.
The new site is zoned commercial, business, industrial (CBI) while the recycling center requires zoning that is solely industrial (IND). That’s the reason Beach was required to appear before the Planning Board.
The unanimous recommendation of the Planning Board will be presented to the Rowan County Board of Commissioners when they meet next month. Commissioners decide the matter.
County Planner Andy Goodall outlined Beach’s request Monday to Planning Board members, noting the planning department backed the conditional use permit as long as a handful of stipulations were included.
Those stipulations include increasing a natural buffer from 20 feet to 40 feet around the site. Goodall said county planners also recommended allowing natural vegetation to remain in front of the site and along the railroad tracks that flank it.
Beach told Planning Board members he planned to do all that as well as construct a privacy fence at the front of the property. Plans are for the site to include a 1,600-square-foot building.
“I feel like it’s something we need,” Beach said of the metal recycling center. “It’s a job for me, but recycling is something we’re going to need now and in the future.”
Several people spoke in favor of the business. Jimmy Higgins, the owner of Higgins Automotive, said his business was across the railroad tracks from the site of Beach’s proposed business.
“It should be considered a green project since he recycles metals that would otherwise be thrown away,” Higgins said. “I have no objection to him being behind me.”
Robert Corriher, who lives just east of the site of the proposed business, said he wasn’t opposed to Beach’s move. Corriher had called earlier Monday to speak to Goodall about the project, but said he was satisfied with the response he received concerning a buffer around the property.
“Overall, I don’t have objections,” Corriher said. “He’s going to be a neighbor of mine, you want to get along with your neighbor.”
Goodall said most of the work of the recycling center will take place indoors. He said vehicular traffic the business will add to Peach Orchard Lane shouldn’t present a problem. A letter from a representative of the N.C. Railroad indicated that firm didn’t oppose the recycling center’s move.
In other matters handled Monday, Planning Board members:
– Approved a handful of amendments to the county’s subdivision and zoning ordinances.
– Approved an eminent domain resolution pertaining to commissioners not using such powers for acquisition of property for development of greenways or public trails.