Land near Energizer, Oaklawn Cemetery rezoned for apartments

ASHEBORO — The new Asheboro city council got to work after their swearing-in ceremony on Dec. 4. They tackled an agenda that featured:

■ A rezoning to build new apartments on Albemarle Road.

■ A property purchase.

■ Contracts for law firms to assist the city until they hire their next attorney.

Here’s a look:

Apartments close to Energizer

The new city council rezoned 777-803 Albemarle Road to Office-Apartment Conditional Zoning (CZ) on behalf of Brian Lucas, who would like to build a 48-unit apartment complex here.

The land sits directly across the road from the Energizer facility and next to Oakland Cemetery. 

Attorney Bob Wilhoit, representing Lucas, said it will be comprised of three buildings with 12 one-bedroom units and 36 two-bedroom units. Sidewalk, picnic areas, a dog park and a recreational play area would be installed.

Mayor Joseph Trogdon, Jr. asked if the apartments will be at market rate and who will own the complex once it’s built. Wilhoit confirmed Lucas plans to keep the property and rent out units at market rate.

Mayor Pro Temp Eddie Burks said the project will help clean up the area by removing its unoccupied dwellings.

“Vacant houses become traps for bad things to happen,” he said. “This is a chance to clean it up. I don’t see someone wanting to live in just two houses, with what’s in that area.”

Legal agreements

■ City Manager Donald Duncan presented agreements to retain two law firms. He said they can support the city while they are hiring the successor to retiring City Attorney Jeff Sugg. 

The council approved:

— $5,000 from the general fund for Campbell, Dennis & Gorham, LLP, experienced in law enforcement, public health, building and code enforcement.

— $10,000 from the water and sewer fund for Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, LL, experienced in utilities-related legal matters.

Duncan next asked them to approve $10,000 to subscribe to Lexipol Grant-Finder, a service for seeking grants and writing applications. The subscription would last three years.

■ Sugg shared a land purchasing agreement to buy land from Taylor Callicutt. The 2.86-acre parcel sits directly behind public works’ building on North Fayetteville Street. The sale is expected to be 

$40,000, but the council set aside $50,000 as contingency.

■ Sugg presented the lease renewal for Civil Air Patrol at the Asheboro Regional Airport. It keeps them in the same location at one dollar a year for three years.

■ A lease for AT&T to keep communications equipment on the NC Highway South water tower was continued to next year. Sugg said he sent the paperwork back to the company to correct the wording.

Blue Comet football on the rise?

Before outgoing Mayor David Smith and the previous city council closed out its business, children from the Blue Comet youth football teams gave them signed footballs and showed off their trophies from the season.

Athletic Director Ben Hughes thanked Smith and the council members for supporting the football players and cheerleaders.

“Your support directly impacts hundreds of participants each year, giving them a safe, structured, and positive environment to learn, grow, and compete,” he said.

Hughes said the 6U team went undefeated in the regular season and won the Division A championship. 8U won the Division B championship, and 10U and 12U teams placed second and third respectively in the Division A championship.

Hughes said the players from their earliest seasons are now moving on to middle and high school teams.

“You can see, not only this program, but the kids are really contributing to football and athletics in general,” he said. “I’m grateful to be a part of it.”