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ZEBULON - The Pike County Planning and Zoning Board met on Thursday, May 8, 2025 for their regular scheduled meeting. Those present included Vice Chair Brandy Loggins and members Chad Proctor, Ed Penland, and At Large member Kacie Edwards. Also present were Planning and Development Director Jeremy Gilbert, County Attorney and County Manager Rob Morton, and Sherlonda Parks to take the minutes.

Items on the agenda included a request by USC Timber Holdings LLC and Flat Shoals Energy Center for modification to zoning conditions for the Special Exception granted to the 2020 solar farm which was postponed until after a Town Hall Meeting will be held later this month (look for this at Planning and Zoning again in June), a request for a variance for a home at Pine Valley Road that the Planning and Zoning Board allowed with a stipulation, a request for a special permit to allow a private cemetery at a home on Friendship Circle that the Board allowed with stipulations, and a text amendment to the US Hwy 19 & 41 Overlay District in Pike’s Code of Ordinances which will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners along with their recommendation for a final decision on color schemes.

Request for a Dedicated Attorney

At the end of the meeting, Loggins asked if there was any other discussion. Proctor made a motion to request that Director Jeremy Gilbert to begin evaluating the feasibility, qualifications, and budget requirements for hiring a dedicated zoning attorney to serve the Planning and Zoning Board.

“Given the increasing complexity of zoning issues, land use conflicts, and the need for legal guidance during Board deliberations, it is in the best interest of the Board and the citizens we serve to retain legal counsel that is directly accessible and specifically aligned with the objectives and responsibilities of this Board,” Proctor said. “As part of this request further move that Jeremy Gilbert work in collaboration with County Manager to draft a resolution, to be presented to the Board of Commissioners, recommending the approval and funding of the position of a dedicated zoning attorney for the Planning and Zoning Board.”

Member Kacie Edwards gave the second. The motion passed with all members in favor of hiring a zoning attorney who is dedicated to their Board rather than continuing with the County Attorney who is now also the County Manager.

Closing

They closed out the meeting with a discussion of the next meeting. Gilbert advised that they have received 5 rezoning requests for June as well as the Solar Farm so there will be 6 items at the next meeting. The ads will go into the Pike Journal Reporter soon.

The discussion of a dedicated attorney for the Planning and Zoning Board will be heard at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners at some point in the future.

Pike County Times extends its thanks to County Clerk Angela Blount (the records custodian) and Planning and Development Director Jeremy Gilbert for their help with obtaining the open records that were required to write this article.

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