HAMLET — Two properties in the city limits were rezoned following a pair of public hearings during a special city council meeting on Thursday.
The Hamlet City Council approved rezoning applications for 705 Spring St. and 146 Boyd Lake Road, with both moving from R-6 Residential to B-2 Business.
The Spring Street property is referred to as Hamlet Commons, but the agenda packet does not indicate what kind of business it will be.
Records with the N.C. Secretary of State’s office show the president as Perry Johnson and the registered business address as 164 Ridgeline Road, Aberdeen. That is the same address as Gattis Construction and Sandy Mine Self Storage.
The Boyd Lake Road property (listed in documents with an address of 146 Veterans Drive) is the former VFW building on City Lake, which is owned by the city.
John Martin, co-owner of the Landmark Tavern, had approached the council earlier in the year about converting the building into a bar and grill.
Following the rezoning, a majority of the council — with Oscar Sellers opposing — approved a one-year lease agreement for $1,200 per month. A $1,200 security deposit is also required. Martin will also have the option to renew 90 days prior to the expiration of the initial agreement.
Sellers said he had a problem with the provision in the lease agreement that would give Martin a “dollar-for-dollar” rent reduction — up to $10,000 — for renovations and upfitting.
While Martin will be responsible for utilities and routine maintenance, the city remains responsible for the roof, foundation, structural supports and exterior walls.
Martin told the council that he plans for the establishment to be family friendly during the day and early evening before transitioning to an older crowd around 9 or 10 p.m.
The long-term goal, Martin added, is to purchase the property.
Earlier in the meeting, the council approved the selection of Moore County-based LKC Engineering as the qualified firm for general water and sewer projects. LKC has been part of several projects in Richmond County.
The council also approved a “resolution of tentative award” for a portion of the City Lake trail project.
Acting City Manager Mackenzie Webb explains the bids for the City Lake trail during a special meeting.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
According to Acting City Manager Mackenzie Webb, the project was sent to 200 potential bidders with only one company — Raleigh-based Fred Smith Company — submitting a bid.
Webb said that bid came in “far over” the original estimated cost of $94,773.41.
Documents show the submitted bids were $271,700 for a gravel trail, $250,210 for an asphalt trail and a negotiated bid of $127,109.66 for a mulch trail. The negotiated amount is all the city has left from American Rescue Plan funds granted for the project.
Sellers said that the current asphalt trail isn’t currently being maintained as it should.
“If we don’t expend these funds by Dec. 1, they’re going to revert back to the federal government,” Webb said.
If the council had accepted the bid for an asphalt or gravel trail, Webb said the difference would have to be made up with city dollars.
Webb said the city had checked with engineering firm WithersRavenel to see if there were any alternatives. She also said this was the most that could be done before the deadline.
Following the meeting, there were verbal altercations between outspoken resident Esco Latimer and council members Tony Clewis and Abbie Covington.
