Commissioners approve two rezoning requests, address nuisance property

The Alexander County Board of Commissioners approved two rezoning requests and addressed a nuisance violation during its regular meeting on Monday, November 2.

Patrick Creech, Alexander County Planning Director, presented a rezoning request from Martin Kanupp for five acres located at 8574 NC Hwy. 127. The property owner, who currently operates a kennel at the location, requested that the property be rezoned from Mixed Use (MU) to Regional Commercial (RC) to allow greater flexibility for future commercial use. Potential uses identified by the applicant include a tractor service and farm supply business, automotive repair, ATV sales, and camper storage.

Creech said the proposed rezoning is consistent with the county’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan. The Alexander County Planning Board recommended approval of the rezoning.

Commissioners voted to approve the rezoning request, changing the property’s zoning to Regional Commercial.

Creech also presented a rezoning request from Scott Ballard on behalf of Millersville Baptist Church for 12.149 acres located at 804 Old Landfill Road. The property, currently owned by LCN Capital Partners, was previously a Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams manufacturing site.

The church is in the process of purchasing the property to accommodate students associated with its private school. The church requested that the property be rezoned from Industrial (I) to Office Institutional (OI).

Creech said the proposed rezoning is consistent with the 2045 Comprehensive Plan. The planning board recommended approval of the rezoning.

Commissioners voted to approve the rezoning request to change the property’s zoning to Office Institutional.

The board also considered a nuisance case for a 0.259-acre property located at 152 Fire Lane in Stony Point. The property is owned by Matt Taylor, who was in attendance at the meeting.

Creech said planning staff initially investigated the property on December 15, 2025, and observed an accumulation of solid waste, an abandoned camper being used for storage, and piles of trash.

Staff conducted a follow-up inspection on January 13, 2026. A written notice of violation was returned to the planning office on February 2. During another inspection on March 19, staff determined that no progress had been made to correct the violation. An inspection on May 26 indicated that cleanup efforts were underway; however, a second notice of violation was served on August 14, and an August 20 inspection revealed that the nuisance conditions remained. A third inspection on October 1 showed no additional progress.

Mr. Taylor addressed commissioners and explained that health and financial issues have affected his ability to clean up the property. He said friends are assisting with the cleanup efforts.

Following discussion, commissioners voted to order the property owner to abate all conditions creating the nuisance within 30 days. Staff will conduct a follow-up inspection to determine whether the violations have been corrected. If the conditions have not been cleaned up, the matter will return to the board at its regular meeting on Monday, December 7.

In other business:
• Commissioners approved one budget amendment and one project budget ordinance as presented by County Manager Justin Mundy.

The budget amendment increases General Fund expenditures by $46,754 to increase the Emergency Management budget for the award of two federal grants of $14,500 for a Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant and $43,980 for a Next Generation Warning System Grant, and to adjust the Senior Center budget for the revised allocation of General Purpose grant funding and to meet the 25 percent local match requirement.

The project budget ordinance budgets for the Alexander County 2026 State Appropriations Act Directed Grants totaling $500,000. The following amounts are appropriated: Alexander County Government, $120,000; Volunteer Fire Departments, $200,000; Rescue Squad, $20,000; Town of Taylorsville Government, $50,000; Public Schools, $30,000; and Community Grants Expense, $80,000.

• The board approved the consent agenda as presented by County Manager Mundy, including: tax abatements and adjustments of $15,355.01 and tax refunds of $1,161.69; minutes from the October 5 regular meeting; line-item transfer report for October 2026; board/committee appointments for the ABC Board (Charles Brinkley for 3 years), JCPC (Shannon Childers and DJ Salyer for 2 years), WPRTA Board (Justin Mundy for 3 years, David Moose – alternate), and Interim County Attorney (Robert Campbell); WPRTA board member appointment resolution; Agreement with Attorney Robert E. Campbell, PLLC for legal services; NC Community College System FY 2026-2027 budget request sign-off form for CVCC; and resolution approving the official bond for the Alexander County Sheriff pursuant to NCGS 162-8.

• Two people signed up to speak during the monthly public comment period.

J.T. Ritch continued his remarks from the previous month’s meeting, reiterating the need for extended operating hours at the county’s convenience sites and landfill, as well as the option to accept credit card payments at these facilities.

Sybil Schneider, Community Resource Advocate for Kintegra Family Health, discussed the organization’s school-based behavioral health services and its interest in expanding into Alexander County. She said Kintegra currently provides services at the Alexander County Senior Center through SHIIP-certified counselors.

Consolidated Human Services Board meeting
Following adjournment of the regular meeting, commissioners convened a meeting of the Consolidated Human Services Board.

• Billie Walker, Health Director, presented the health department’s quarterly report. There are three vacancies on the advisory board for a dentist, ophthalmologist, and registered nurse. The health department currently has only one staff vacancy, for a Dental Assistant II. The department also recently hired Cheri Klaver as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Walker announced that the health department successfully completed its North Carolina Local Health Department Accreditation site visit on October 29. She said the department has been reaccredited, although the final accreditation score has not yet been provided.

Walker expressed her appreciation to Assistant County Manager Josh Mitchell and his staff for their hard work in preparing for the accreditation visit. Commissioners Larry Yoder and Marty Pennell were interviewed during the visit. Walker said state representatives were very complimentary of Alexander County.

In December, health department staff will participate in sex education classes at Alexander Central High School.

For more information about Health Department programs and services, call 828-632-9704.

• David Moose, Consolidated Human Services Director, presented the quarterly report for the Department of Social Services (DSS). Moose reported a 6 percent staff vacancy rate, with active recruitment continuing for positions in the Child Welfare and Economic Services divisions. The department recently welcomed three new employees: Latoya Wellman, Kristen Sturgill, and Christopher Boseman.

Moose presented the department’s monthly report and performance scorecard, which showed that the Energy Programs, Work First, Food and Nutrition Services, Child Welfare, Adult Protective Services, Special Assistance, and Child Support programs exceeded state performance standards.

Moose reported that DSS currently has 47 children in its custody, seven youth enrolled in the LINKS program, five young adults participating in the Foster Care 18–21 program, and 19 adults under guardianship through Adult Protective Services. In addition, two foster homes are progressing through the licensing process, three adoptions have been completed, and two foster care cases have been closed through reunification.

Vice Chairman Josh Lail expressed concern about the number of children in foster care and asked how many licensed foster homes are available in Alexander County. Moose said he would obtain that information and report back to the board.

The department continues its partnership with Allies 4 Outcomes, which will provide training and coaching into 2027. DSS is also participating in a training program through the Center for Child & Family Health, with current funding available through December 2026. Additional funding is being sought to continue the program.

Regarding community engagement, DSS staff recently participated in the “Real Money, Real World” program at East Alexander Middle School, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library initiative with the Alexander County Partnership for Children, National Night Out, and the Senior Health Fair.

Moose also highlighted upcoming programs and activities. The department is offering a Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) class series beginning November 5. Applications for the Angel Tree program are due November 13, and the Angel Tree Toy Drive will continue through Christmas.

For more information about DSS programs and services, call 828-632-1080.

• Kristy Hunt, Senior Center Director, presented the quarterly report for the Senior Center. She reported that the Senior Center is now fully staffed following the hiring of Donette Lankford as Office Assistant.

Senior Center staff participated in the MedAssist event on September 12 with 808 attendees. The Senior Health Fair was held on September 18 with 162 attendees, while 36 people participated in the “Paint & Sip” event on September 23.

Hunt also shared information from an “Aging in North Carolina” presentation she attended, which addressed housing challenges and homelessness among older adults, as well as social isolation and loneliness.

On October 9, the Senior Center hosted its Medicare Open Enrollment “Spooktacular,” which attracted 104 attendees. The event also served as a celebration of the center’s 35th anniversary.

Looking ahead to 2027, Hunt announced two overnight trips being offered through the Senior Center. The “Great Trains & Grand Canyons” trip is scheduled for April, while the “Alpine Countries: Switzerland, Austria, & Germany” trip is planned for September.

Hunt reminded residents that Medicare Open Enrollment continues through December 7. She encouraged local seniors to visit the center to review their Medicare prescription drug plans and select the best option for 2027. Through September, Senior Center staff assisted 392 seniors, resulting in $453,076 in savings.

Hunt also reported that overall participation, including both in-person and online activities, increased nearly 105 percent compared to the previous year. Commissioner Marty Pennell requested that in-person participation statistics also be provided to give the board a clearer picture of attendance at the center.

For more information about Senior Center programs and services, call 828-632-1717.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, December 7, at 6:00 p.m. at the CVCC Alexander Center for Education (Room 103). Regular meetings are recorded and may be viewed on the county’s Government Channel (Spectrum Channel 192) or the county’s YouTube channel. Meeting agendas, minutes, videos, and additional information are available at alexandercountync.gov/commissioners.

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