Home Local News Rockingham City Council Agrees to Demo Dilapidated Buildings

Rockingham City Council Agrees to Demo Dilapidated Buildings

The City Seal, shown hanging on the wall in city hall, was highlighted during the invocation
Photograph by Chuck Thames

ROCKINGHAM- The Rockingham City Council met Tuesday evening at City Hall and conducted their regular monthly meeting.  During the invocation, Rev. Allan Bingham of First United Methodist Church spoke of Rockingham’s motto as displayed on the seal in the council chambers of city hall.  The motto says “A City Looking Forward” and Bingham stressed the importance of looking forward and referenced Jeremiah 29:7 which begins “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you … ” (New American Standard Bible).  Bingham offered encouragement to the council as they set about doing the work to improve our city and community.  

This month’s meeting was fairly routine.  Actions taken included a public hearing to rezone three tracts of a total of approximately 11.2 acres of property located at 114 County Home Road, 1203 Rockingham Road, and 1207 Rockingham Road, respectively.  The request was to rezone the properties from Office-Institutional (O-I) to Highway Business (B-3).  The only person to speak during the public hearing was nearby resident Marla Coulthard who was curious as to who had made the original request for rezoning.  John Massey, City Planner replied, “The name of the company was Par Five Development but there’s no application as far as what the development is at this point.”  Following a motion by Councilman Bennett Deane to accept, the board approved the request.  

Massey brought four properties for consideration of a demolition ordinance for a dilapidated dwelling.  The properties are located at 217 McArthur Drive, 135 South Street, 218 Ashley Street, and 647 McNair Street.  Following a review of photos of the properties, council approved the request to demo the properties.  

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The council also acted on a request from Massey to convey 10 acres of property in the City’s Industrial Park West to Richmond Economic Development Corporation.  Richmond County plans to construct another new shell building.  Mayor Steve Morris noted this model has been very successful in the past.  “It’s been a good partnership with the County,” noted Morris.  The board approved the motion brought by Councilman Willard to convey the property.  

In his monthly comments, City Manager Monty Crump noted that the mosquito abatement effort will take place in Richmond County and its municipalities this week.  Wednesday plans are to apply aquacide in ditches with standing water and on Friday night a group of 6-7 insecticide fogging vehicles will canvass the county.  Plans are to start around 7 p.m. Friday evening and go through the night with expected completion around  5 a.m. Saturday morning.  Money for this program is being provided by state funding.  Statewide, $4 Million has been allocated to address the mosquito overgrowth that has taken place across the state since Hurricane Florence dumped record rainfalls on North Carolina in September. 

 



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