be “reduced to $3,700, double the fee charged two years ago.” Town Attorney Bob Hornik said the deposit and reimbursement agreement covers the town’s services separate from the fee it charges for reviewing and processing rezoning applications. “There is a use for both,” he said. Terrell also suggested the town
require opponents of Couch’s development plans to enter a deposit and reimbursement agreement “so that Summerfield Farms is not treated differently than other citizens.” Whitaker said he’s uncertain regarding with which organization the town would try to enter a deposit and reimbursement agreement.
NEWS in brief
Town council continues to deliberate land acquisition A special called meeting will be held Sept. 2 to once again discuss a potential purchase of property near Stokesdale Town Park and adjacent elementary school
offer on it last year, but the offer was declined and the property has remained on the market. The council’s interest in the property was rekindled when the seller recently reduced the asking price.
by CHRIS BURRITT
OAK RIDGE – Oak Ridge residents envision the development of the N.C. 68 commercial corridor incorporating the historic architecture using brick, stone and wood already found in town. That’s the advice from participants in a recent series of focus groups followed by an open house in Town Hall on Aug. 25 organized by Hill Studio. “Need landscaped green spaces, not parking lots” was
Photo by Chris Burritt/NWO
From left, Susan Fleming and Mayor Ann Schneider look over renderings of possible development in Oak Ridge’s ...continued on p. 5 commercial district with Hill Studio’s Chris Lawrie.
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Following its Aug. 12 meeting, a formal offer to purchase the property was presented to the seller. The council held a special called meeting Aug. 24 to once again discuss the property purchase, presumably after receiving the seller’s feedback. The discussion took place in closed session and no action was taken when council members returned to open session and subsequently adjourned the meeting.
by PATTI STOKES STOKESDALE – Stokesdale Town Council will hold another special called meeting Thursday, Sept. 2, at 5 p.m. to discuss a property acquisition. The council discussed the matter in open session at its Aug. 12 regular meeting before voting 5-0 to offer $200,000 for 9.8 acres on Athens Road, near Stokesdale Elementary School and Stokesdale Town Park. The tract has been on the market for almost two years; the council made an
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The Sept. 2 special called meeting will be livestreamed on the Town of Stokesdale’s YouTube page and citizens can also view the meeting on Zoom – a link to the Zoom meeting can be obtained at www.stokesdale.org.
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SEPT. 2 - 15, 2021
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