June 2, 2025 - 6:00 PM - Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

10 327 Meeting of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners June 2 , 2025 6 00 pm The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Monday , June 2 , 2025 at 6 00 pm in the Commissioners Meeting Room , Johnston County Courthouse Annex , Smithfield , North Carolina The following members were present Present Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris , Ted G Godwin , April Stephens , Bill Stovall , Michelle Pace Davis , and Mike Rose Absent None Also Present County Manager Rick J Hester , County Attorney Jennifer J Slusser , Clerk to the Board Dana G Cuddington , and Executive Assistant Deputy Clerk Susie Reeves Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr called the meeting to order at 6 00 pm and the following business was transacted Chairman Lawter reminded everyone of the Board’s six priorities including Public Safety , Infrastructure , County Employees , Financial Stewardship , Educational Funding , and Land Use and the Board’s continuing efforts to keep these priorities in mind when working through the agenda Chairman Lawter referenced the following graphic recently designed for the priorities 1 Appointments Announcement Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr stated the Board utilized written ballots at the 10 00 am meeting for appointments to the Board of Equalization and Review , Johnston Community College Board of Trustees , Johnston County Jury Commission , Johnston - Lee - Harnett Community Action , Juvenile Crime Prevention Council , Library Board of Trustees , and the Local Emergency Planning Committee Chairman Lawter stated the votes have been tallied and he announced the following appointments were made Board of Equalization and Review – Dr Shiquita P Blue was appointed for a four year term to expire on June 30 , 2029 and Jeffrey Lee Franks was appointed to fill an unexpired term ending June 30 , 2028 Johnston Community College Board of Trustees – Lynn Ragsdale was reappointed for a four year term to expire on June 30 , 2029 Page328 June 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued Johnston County Jury Commission – Thomas L Turnage was reappointed for a two year term to expire on June 30 , 2027 and received a waiver in the length of service policy Johnston - Lee - Harnett Community Action – Alexia Walker was appointed to fill an unexpired term ending April 30 , 2026 Juvenile Crime Prevention Council – Jackie Holloman Lee , James L Spencer , and Douglas Wayne Sorrell were reappointed and Vonda Martin Jenkins was appointed all representing General Public for two year terms to expire on June 30 , 2027 with Mr Sorrell receiving a waiver in the length of service policy Dr Takicey M Dunston representing Member of Faith Community , L’Bertrice Solomon representing Non - Profit Agency , and Towanda C Garner representing Substance Abuse Professional were appointed for two year terms to expire on June 30 , 2027 Library Board of Trustees – Martha Mills and Donna Daughtry were reappointed for three year terms to expire on June 30 , 2028 Local Emergency Planning Committee – Steve Strickland representing Health , Todd Ramsey representing Environmental , Beth Stewart representing Media , and Marie Rogers representing Community Groups were reappointed for two year terms to expire on June 30 , 2027 Page329 June 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued 2 Approval Discussion of Agenda Upon a motion by Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris , seconded by Commissioner Ted G Godwin , and carried by unanimous vote , the Board approved the agenda as presented 3 Visit from Miss North Carolina’s Teen 2024 Kamryn Hollowell Miss North Carolina’s Teen 2024 Kamryn Hollowell addressed the Board and stated she is a native of Clayton and attended Johnston County Public Schools She stated in the fall she plans to start her senior year of high school at Corinth Holders High School Miss Hollowell also stated that under the Career and College Promise Program , she will be working towards her Associates in Arts Degree through Johnston Community College while completing high school Miss Hollowell stated because of the Miss America Scholarship after high school , she will have the option of continuing her educational journey by accepting a full - ride scholarship to either the University of Alabama or Mississippi State University She further stated through the Miss North Carolina Organization she has earned over 9,000 in cash scholarships to be used towards her education Miss Hollowell stated she is extremely thankful for these scholarship programs to achieve her dreams of becoming a physical therapist Miss Hollowell spoke on her community service initiative which is called Project Purple that she personally began nearly a decade ago that advocates for individuals living with Crohns Disease and ulcerative colitis She stated throughout this initiative , she has been able to partner with local chapters of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation in North Carolina , South Carolina , Texas , Florida , and California as well as working alongside their national marketing team Miss Hollowell reported she has been able to raise over 7,500 towards research and she continues to share the stories of patients , like her own mother Miss Hollowell stated she is proud to be from Johnston County and she hopes she has been a positive role model for her community The Board wished Miss Hollowell good luck in her future endeavors , followed by a photo with the Board 4 Public Comment None 5 Public Hearing Rezoning Requests Advertised – The Johnstonian News and The News in Review – May 21 and 28 , 2025 Certified letters were mailed to adjoining property owners on May 19 , 2025 A notice was posted at the location on April 3 , 2025 for Case 21 - 07 MOD The Chairman opened the Special Use Hearing for Case 21 - 07 MOD Case 21 - 07 MOD Petition to modify Special Use Permit for 101 acres located at 8817 Cleveland Road in McLemore Township zoned General Business - Special use District GB - SUD , to add catering , food prep , food sales and services , to previously allowed uses Tax ID 06F04004F Owner Carthouse Holdings , LLC Applicant Leisa Newby Requested amendment Add the following allowable uses Catering , food prep , food sales and services to the existing Special Use Permit Those wishing to speak on Special Use Case 21 - 07 MOD were sworn in by the Deputy Clerk to the Board Planning Director Braston Newton introduced the case and stated the petition is to modify the special use permit for 101 acres located at 8817 Cleveland Road in McLemore Township zoned General Business - Special use District , to add catering , food prep , food sales and services to previously allowed uses Mr Newton stated there is already a commercial building on the site and there would be no additional improvements to the property Mr Newton stated this area is located in a “ Neighborhood Center ” within a designated “ Medium Density Residential ” place type on the County’s Envision Johnston Comprehensive Land Use Plan The original special use permit was approved in 2021 and has been in compliance with no violations noted since that time He stated the Planning Board held the required public forum for the request He submitted the proposed modifications to the special use conditions to the Board and entered the fact sheet , supporting documents in the agenda packet , and introduced the following summary of evidence into the record Page330 June 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued A pre - application consultation was held with the applicant for Case 21 - 07 MOD on February 12 , 2025 At that time , the applicant was informed of the following • If approved , applicant must provide to the Planning Office a Site Plan for their review and approval • Applicant must comply with the requirement of the Johnston County Land Development Code regarding landscaping , buffering and fence or any additional requirements as approved by this Board • Applicant will be notified in writing of the Board’s decision • If denied , no application can be accepted for the same use affecting the same property for a period of twelve 12 months and that their right of appeal to the Superior Court must be exercised within thirty 30 days of the receipt of notice of denial by the Board of County Commissioners • Applicant’s Special Use Permit will expire at the end of twenty - four 24 months if it is not used as permitted within the time period • When necessary , staff informed the applicant of further Planning and Zoning Department requirements and the requirements of other departments such as soil erosion and sedimentation requirements , Health Department regulations , stormwater and public utility requirements • Subsequent to the pre - application consultation , all required notices were mailed to adjacent property owners The property was posted and notices of public hearings were advertised in accordance with the requirements of the North Carolina General Statutes • If approved , the proposed and recommended special use conditions are as follows Special Use Conditions Permitted Uses Add the following allowable uses Catering , food prep , food sales and services to the existing special use permit All other conditions will remain the same from the original special use permit Applicant Leisa Newby stated she is a classically trained French Chef and has spent the last 17 years honing her craft Ms Newby stated she is excited to bring her skills to the Cleveland area which is also her home Ms Newby stated the name of her business is Every Day Gourmet and she is requesting the modification that will allow her to provide the community with grab and go style family meals prepared fresh from local sources when available She stated the facility will be outfitted with a storefront and commercial kitchen that will also offer catering services She thanked the Board for considering the modification request and offered to answer any questions At the request of Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , Mr Newton submitted the following Findings of Facts for the applicant to address for the modification request Finding of Facts for the Special Use Permit 1 That the use or development is located , designed , and proposed to be operated as to maintain or promote the public health , safety , and general welfare ; 2 That the use of development appears to comply with all required use and intensity regulations of Articles II & IV of the Johnston County Land Development Code and the applicable specific standards in section 14 - 257 and with all applicable regulations ; 3 That the use or development is located , designed , and proposed to be operated so as to maintain or enhance the value of contiguous property , or that the use or development is a public necessity ; 4 That the use or development conforms with general plans for the physical development of the County’s Planning jurisdiction , the Design Manual , or other development policies as adopted by the Board of Commissioners Ms Newby confirmed the proposed modification will meet the Findings of Facts There being no further public comments , the Chairman closed the public comment portion of the hearing Mr Newton stated staff recommends approval of the modification request Upon a question by Commissioner Mike Rose , Mr Newton stated if the applicant were to start a food truck business , the subject site could be used as a base of operation ; however , there would be additional regulations and permit requirements for the food truck itself Chairman Lawter asked if the Board should include food truck base operation in the special use conditions County Attorney Jennifer Slusser advised that the Board could add a condition ; however , it is her opinion that this would be covered under food prep and food sales There being no further comments , the Chairman closed the Special Use Hearing for Case 21 - 07 MOD PagePage pageNumber5331 June 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued Decision on Special Use Case 21 - 07 MOD Case 21 - 07 MOD Petition to modify Special Use Permit for 101 acres located at 8817 Cleveland Road in McLemore Township zoned General Business - Special use District GB - SUD , to add catering , food prep , food sales and services , to previously allowed uses Tax ID 06F04004F Owner Carthouse Holdings , LLC Applicant Leisa Newby Requested amendment Add the following allowable uses Catering , food prep , food sales and services to the existing Special Use Permit Based on the following findings of facts and special use conditions , Commissioner April Stephens moved the Board approve the special use permit modification for Case 21 - 07 MOD to add catering , food prep , food sales and services to previously allowed uses of the existing special use permit on property located at 8817 Cleveland Road in McLemore Township Commissioner Michelle Pace Davis seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote Finding of Facts for the Special Use Permit 1 That the use or development is located , designed , and proposed to be operated as to maintain or promote the public health , safety , and general welfare ; The use will be located , designed , and operated in a manner that will promote the public health , safety , and general welfare Applicant will work with Johnston County Environmental Health Department and other appropriate County staff on all applicable food safety requirements and regulations 2 That the use of development appears to comply with all required use and intensity regulations of Articles II & IV of the Johnston County Land Development Code and the applicable specific standards in section 14 - 257 and with all applicable regulations ; The proposed use will comply with all regulations and standards of the applicable Johnston County Code of Ordinances 3 That the use or development is located , designed , and proposed to be operated so as to maintain or enhance the value of contiguous property , or that the use or development is a public necessity ; The proposed use will be located , designed , and proposed to be operated so as to maintain or enhance the value of contiguous property 4 That the use or development conforms with general plans for the physical development of the County’s Planning jurisdiction , the Design Manual , or other development policies as adopted by the Board of Commissioners The proposed use will conform with general plans for the physical development of the County’s standards and policies Special Use Conditions Permitted Uses Add the following allowable uses Catering , food prep , food sales and services to the existing special use permit All other conditions will remain the same from the original special use permit 6 Proposed Road Name Change – Captain Drive Tabled from May 19 , 2025 Planning Director Braston Newton recalled that the Board tabled a decision on a proposed road name for a newly created service road in the Wilson’s Mills area as a result of the construction on US Hwy 70 in an effort to bring it to interstate status He stated this is the service road that comes off of Wilson’s Mills Road on the south side of US Hwy 70 Mr Newton stated at the public hearing held on May 19 , 2025 , staff reported there was a proposal from the Town of Wilson’s Mills to name that service road Captain Drive He stated the Board th satisfied the public hearing process and took the name under advisement at the May 19 meeting Mr Newton stated the Board also received public input at the hearing and instructed staff to bring back a recommendation Mr Newton continued that staff looked at the geography of the area in an effort to tie the road name back to the geography He stated staff recommends the following three options ; 1 Middle Branch Road , 2 Poplar Creek Road , or 3 Three Branch Road Mr Newton explained that staff developed these options because in that area there is Poplar Creek which is to the south and west of the road He stated there is also a trident shaped tributary that feeds into the Neuse River near the Correctional Facility and Middle Branch actually comes into a portion of this area He stated Three Branch was proposed because of the tributary that feeds into the Neuse River Mr Newton reiterated that the Board has fulfilled the public hearing requirement and the Commissioners can either take this under advisement or take action at this meeting He stated if the Board takes action at this meeting , staff will bring back the corresponding ordinance to be placed on a future consent agenda th Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr noted there were two proposals presented at the May 19 public hearing by the public PagePage pageNumber6332 June 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued Mr Newton confirmed the two proposals received at the public hearing were Jack Edwards Road and Greater Vision Outreach Mr Newton stated in vetting those two proposals through the current database , “ Edwards ” is a common use for roads and streets in Johnston County and staff felt there could be close similarities to other roads in the County which could create public safety concerns He stated in accordance with the County’s policy , naming roads after individuals should be consistent with names of local historical figures Chairman Lawter stated he thinks that taking staff’s recommendation to choose something of geographical importance to the area makes the most sense Chairman Lawter commented that Middle Branch seems to be reasonable Commissioner Ted G Godwin stated this also seems reasonable to him and asked if Middle Branch would conflict with anything else in the database Mr Newton confirmed that there is nothing in the database that currently conflicts with Middle Branch He stated there is a Middle Creek ; however , the word “ Branch ” would make this distinctively different Commissioner Michelle Pace Davis thanked the staff for vetting all the options in the database and noted she understands the concerns from an emergency services standpoint Upon a motion by Commissioner Michelle Pace Davis , seconded by Commissioner Bill Stovall , and carried unanimously , the Board named the road Middle Branch Road 7 Manager Reports and Comments None 8 Board Reports and Comments Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris reminded everyone to keep the family of Smithfield Town Councilman Marlon Lee in their thoughts and prayers after his passing Vice Chairman Harris also stated he appreciates all the work that staff has done on the proposed budget Commissioner Mike Rose noted there were some public comments at the morning meeting on the proposed budget and he welcomes citizens to reach out to the Board with additional questions Commissioner Rose stated this allows for more opportunities to explain things and talk to the citizens about how things work Commissioner Michelle Pace Davis thanked the staff and all the department heads for gathering information for the proposed budget as this helps the Board when making their decisions Commissioner Ted G Godwin commented that over the years he has worked to curtail the trash along the roadways and make it easier for citizens to dispose of their trash properly Commissioner Godwin continued that although he understands the observance for loved ones that have passed away by releasing balloons in their memory , unfortunately the majority of those balloons end up being trash and are not biodegradable Commissioner Godwin stated he hopes people do not take this the wrong way , but he wishes there could be other ways to show love and respect for those that have passed instead of releasing balloons Commissioner Bill Stovall added that not only do balloons become trash , they can also be a hazard to wildlife and livestock in that if they are swallowed the animals can choke on them and unfortunately this happens quite frequently Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr noted the Board has received emails on the issue of releasing balloons in the past so there is the potential of taking some kind of action on this in the future if needed Chairman Lawter noted the Board held the required public hearing on the proposed budget at the morning th meeting and there will be two more opportunities for the public to address the Board on June 9 at 6 00 pm and th th June 16 at 6 00 pm He stated it is the hope that the Board will be able to adopt a budget on the 16 Chairman Lawter stated the Board has the County Manager’s proposed budget and will now do the heavy lifting to get to a final budget while making sure taxpayers are not unduly burdened with taxes but also being provided with the services they require PagePage pageNumber7333 June 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued There being no further business , Commissioner Ted G Godwin moved the Board adjourn Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote The meeting adjourned at 6 32 pm RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , Chairman Dana G Cuddington , Clerk to the BoardPage