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

10 541 Meeting of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners September 2 , 2025 6 00 pm The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Tuesday , September 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 1 Appointments Announcement Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr stated the Board utilized written ballots at the 10 00 am meeting for appointments to the Bentonville Community Building Board of Trustees , the I95 - I40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance , the Voluntary Agricultural District Advisory Board , and the Johnston - Lee - Harnett Community Action Board Chairman Lawter stated the votes have been tallied and he announced the following appointments were made Bentonville Community Building Board of Trustees – Jo Ellen Beasley and Tony Ray Lee were reappointed for two year terms to expire on September 30 , 2027 I95 - I40 Crossroads of America Economic Development Alliance – Bryan E Parker was appointed for a four year term to expire on September 30 , 2029 Voluntary Agricultural District Advisory Board – Paul H “ Sonny ” Howard and Kim LeQuire were appointed for three year terms to expire on September 30 , 2028 Page542 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued Johnston - Lee - Harnett Community Action – Dawn Winn - Burdo was reappointed for a two year term expiring on September 30 , 2027 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 tabling Rezoning Case 25 - 06 until the October 6 , 2025 6 00 pm meeting per the request of the applicant and adding a closed session following Board Comments 3 Public Comment A Recognition of Johnston County Interns for Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025 Human Resources Director Paulette Williams addressed the Board and stated she along with representatives from the NC Works NextGen Career Center would like to recognize individuals that have interned in various capacities for the County over the summer Business Services Specialist John Laughter and Program Manager Kenya Smith with the NC Works NextGen Career Center addressed the Board Ms Smith explained that the NC Works NextGen Career Center is managed by Johnston County Industries and funded through Capital Area Workforce Development She stated they provide eligible youth from Johnston County with employment training Mr Laughter added that they help the youth with deciding on a career path as well as finding jobs He stated as part of that process they coordinate internships to allow their participants to experience work in their fields of interest Mr Laughter reported they had two interns this past summer , Chloe Sharpe who interned with Johnston County Cooperative Extension and Kate Spivey who interned with the Johnston County Heritage Center and the Ava Gardner Museum Ms Williams recognized the following individuals that interned through Johnston County for Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025 Abigail Gallegos – Public Information Office Hayden Gray – 911 Communications Preston Gray – 911 Communications Daniel Harmon – Cooperative Extension Nicholas Howard – Board of Elections Kalyn Kyle – Administration Emily Pickett – Tourism Emma Scott – Administration Joseph Snow – Technology Services Morgan Wells – Administration Brashear Bryant – Human Resources Jackson Honeycutt – Internal Auditing Clayton Johnson – Emergency Services Following a photo with the Board and those present at the meeting , the Commissioners congratulated the interns and wished them well on their future endeavors At the inquiry of Commissioner April Stephens , Ms Williams stated anyone that is interested in interning with Johnston County can reach out to the Human Resources Department for more information Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr stated local government can provide many opportunities for young people through internships and he encouraged anyone interested to look further into these options Page543 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued 4 Public Hearing – Johnston County Comprehensive Transportation Plan Advertised – The Johnstonian News and The News in Review – August 20 , 2025 and August 27 , 2025 Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr opened the public hearing for the purposes of receiving comment on the draft Comprehensive Transportation Plan for Johnston County which has been posted online Mr Joel Strickland , Transportation Planning Practice Lead with McAdams , provided a presentation to the Board on the Johnston County Comprehensive Transportation Plan Mr Strickland began the presentation by restating the vision and goals of the plan noting that safety came first throughout the process Page544 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued Mr Strickland spoke on the process stating it began with the vision and continued with reviewing current and future deficiencies within the County from an overall multimodal transportation system He stated they began to look at a series of alternatives for strategies to address any deficiencies in a way that would minimize impacts to the natural and human environment while being consistent with the community’s vision Mr Strickland reviewed the list of individuals from the working group and the stakeholders committee that helped to guide the process He also provided a list of the local policies and plans that were incorporated into the plan PagePage pageNumber5545 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued Mr Strickland reviewed the organization and overall layout of the plan as follows Mr Strickland reviewed the key statistics of building the plan with the Board He stated the public meetings went very well and between those meetings and the online survey , they were able to engage with over 1,000 people He further stated that over 3,000 comments were received and there was good feedback that helped to develop the plan He reminded the Board that the plan includes all six modes of transportation including bike , pedestrian , highways , transit , rail , and aviation He stated that as it relates to bike and pedestrian facilities , many of those recommendations were pulled from existing plans He noted the Johnston County Greenways and Trails Plan is ongoing and once completed that will be rolled into this plan as an addendum Mr Strickland reviewed the differences in this plan and the previous Johnston County Comprehensive Transportation Plan completed many years ago stating this plan is more consistent with the County’s Envision Johnston Land Use Plan and is more multimodal covering the entirety of the County He stated a digital map of the recommendations will be useful for the public to better understand projects within specific areas PagePage pageNumber6546 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued Mr Strickland noted they worked with the County staff on ordinance recommendations included within the updated plan Mr Strickland concluded his presentation stating the updated plan was presented to the Planning Board th on August 19 and they have recommended approval Mr Strickland thanked the Board , the County staff , the working group , the stakeholders , and the public for participating in this process and providing feedback He offered to answer any questions by the Board At the inquiry of Commissioners Ted G Godwin and Michelle Pace Davis as it relates to the ordinance recommendation on reserving rights - of - way , Mr Strickland stated the recommendation would just be the asking for a reservation of the right - of - way and not a formal dedication He stated this would not prevent a property owner from doing something with their property in that this would mostly be getting the property owner to look to the future Planning Director Braston Newton stated the intent is to ensure that a developer reserves the right - of - way which is different from a formal land dedication He explained that a reservation is where staff works with the developer to ensure they have a design where a reservation is made on the plat showing that right - of - way in an effort to avoid future obstructions if and when that right - of - way becomes public Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr noted the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization CAMPO participated in this process and he asked if the Upper Coastal Plains Rural Planning Organization RPO was contacted Mr Strickland confirmed that Jennifer Collins with the Upper Coastal Plains RPO was a participant Mr Strickland also noted that Rail Consultant Scott Saylor provided comments as it relates to the rail portion of the plan and those were incorporated Chairman Lawter suggested the Board take the plan under advisement to allow time for a complete review by the Commissioners before considering adoption Upon a question by Commissioner April Stephens , Mr Strickland stated the average attendance at the public meetings was approximately 15 to 20 people He noted the majority of the responses came in via the online survey with over 1,000 responses and 3,000 comments received Mr Strickland stated the County’s Public Information Office was very instrumental in getting the information out to encourage feedback Mr Newton noted the plan has been provided online and is still open for comment He stated the map is interactive and allows the public to make comments on specific projects Mr Newton stated the online link will stay live until the plan is adopted at which time the final adopted plan will be uploaded to the website Chairman Lawter indicated it would be helpful to have a mechanism on the website that will allow the public to leave a comment on needed transportation improvements and locations so the Board could have that information available for future updates PagePage pageNumber7547 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued Mr Newton stated staff has discussed the option of creating some kind of app that would allow citizens to provide communication on specific areas or intersections and needed improvements He stated there are apps available with this ability that staff is looking at utilizing or possibly developing something new that will include a geolocation feature Commissioner Bill Stovall stated funding for the recommendations in the plan is a big question mark and the presumption is that the funding would come from the North Carolina Department of Transportation He asked how much weight does this plan carry in terms of ensuring that Johnston County’s needs will be included in the Department of Transportation’s Improvement Plan TIP for funding Mr Strickland explained that anything submitted to the Strategic Prioritization Office for Transportation needs to be in a documented plan so adopting this plan is a key first step to getting funding He stated once the plan is adopted it can then be turned over to CAMPO and the RPO and they can help move projects forward in the prioritization process with the Department of Transportation Chairman Lawter agreed that adopting this plan is the first step in the process and noted that CAMPO has a very sophisticated process in figuring out how to weight projects within the scoring system Chairman Lawter stated the current Comprehensive Transportation Plan for the County is from 2014 so getting the new plan adopted is a major step forward Chairman Lawter asked if there were any citizens present that wished to speak Jeff Holland , Clayton , stated he is representing My Forever Home and this time next year they hope to have ten homes completed in a new subdivision called Family Landing located at the edge of Smithfield Mr Holland stated the homes are designed to provide affordable housing for those with disabilities Mr Holland stated he attended one of the public sessions and provided feedback He asked that the Board consider those with disabilities and their needs for transportation to jobs , shopping , doctor visits , and educational opportunities Mr Holland stated they are aware of the Johnston County Area Transit System JCATS , but he believes this is an issue that goes beyond JCATS and should involve other options of transportation across the County Mr Holland stated he is not sure if this falls under the deficiency category ; however , this is a population group that would like to have as much independence as possible even though they are not typically a population that drives Mr Holland stated this is an issue that he would like to be part of further conversations He asked if this issue would be addressed within the transit recommendations of the plan At the request of Chairman Lawter , Mr Newton stated transit is one of the primary focuses of the updated plan Mr Newton reported that JCATS is working to expand their microtransit Quick Ride system throughout the County and with that , there will be an accessibility component to that expansion Mr Newton assured the Board that this issue will not be overlooked Chairman Lawter commented that microtransit has been very intriguing to him because this is a conversation that began years ago as it relates to how non - driving residents can get to work and other places He stated this has been a motivating factor for him and he appreciates Mr Holland’s persistence and passion for making sure that all segments of the County’s population are served Mr Holland thanked Chairman Lawter for his support to those with disabilities stating Chairman Lawter has proven himself to be an advocate for that segment of the population Mr Holland stated he is hopeful that JCATS will go back and further look at this issue and especially consider that people with disabilities often have very limited finances Mr Holland also spoke on the need for more on - demand transportation noting that many times rides with JCATS have to be scheduled in advance Chairman Lawter noted that the JCATS Quick Ride Program is an on - demand program and he asked the Vice Chairman to provide more insight Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris explained that JCATS has two divisions with the Quick Ride division being the newer service where citizens can schedule a ride at any time through an app for a fee He stated there is another division within JCATS that transports patients to medical appointments and other appointments and those must be scheduled in advance because many times there are specific needs associated with those visits such as wheelchair access Vice Chairman Harris stated the Quick Ride program began as a pilot program in Smithfield and they are now trying to expand it to other parts of the County and although it does involve a fee , this has been a good option for many Vice Chairman Harris stated he believes that although things are notPagePage pageNumber8548 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued perfect , the County is moving in the right direction to expand services and provide transportation for all citizens in need Ann Garrett , Wake Forest , stated she has a daughter with Down Syndrome that will be a future resident of Johnston County Ms Garrett stated her daughter will be moving into the housing development previously mentioned by Mr Holland Ms Garrett stated according to the plan , one of the key takeaways from the survey is that 97 of the citizens do not use public transportation Ms Garrett stated she would like to challenge that statistic and wonders if it was not that citizens did not use public transportation in general , but rather they did not have access to a specific type of transportation Ms Garrett reported Wake Forest used to have a fixed loop bus service for residents but only to specific and agreed upon stops She stated last year Wake Forest invested in a microtransit solution and began a pilot program called the Go Wake Forest Transit Service She noted CAMPO provided partial funding for this pilot program and it is a microtransit solution available to all Wake Forest residents including those with disabilities and the vehicles are equipped for wheelchairs She stated this program is very much like Uber and residents use an app on their phone to request a ride Ms Garrett stated this program is free which is much appreciated because her daughter has a very limited income Ms Garrett further stated this is an on - demand service that does not have to be scheduled in advance She stated since beginning the pilot program , Wake Forest has reported great success and are up to 30 riders per hour with ten vehicles in the fleet Ms Garrett stated Emma Lynn with the Long Range Planning Office at Wake Forest informed her that they are very satisfied with the service and continue to receive positive feedback She asked the Board to thoroughly consider a similar solution for Johnston County as it has been proven successful in Wake Forest Vice Chairman Harris stated he thinks the program mentioned by Ms Garrett is very similar to the Quick Ride program offered by JCATS and works the same way in that rides are scheduled by citizens through an app on their phone Vice Chairman Harris acknowledged that there is a 600 fee associated with the rides ; however , unlike Wake Forest that only operates within its corporate limits , Johnston County is a massive area Vice Chairman Harris stated he thinks the County is getting closer to better options and citizens have been very excited about the Quick Ride program He stated the 600 fee is cheaper than Uber or a taxi service Vice Chairman Harris thanked Ms Garrett for her comments Chairman Lawter noted that JCATS Executive Director Josh Jensen will be at the Board’s next meeting and can provide an update on the Quick Ride program There being no further comments , the Chairman closed the public hearing It was the consensus of the Board to take the plan under advisement and consider adoption at the September 15 , 2025 6 00 pm meeting 5 Public Hearing Rezoning Requests Advertised – The Johnstonian News and The News in Review – August 20 and 27 , 2025 Certified letters were mailed to adjoining property owners on August 18 , 2025 A notice was posted at the location on June 30 , 2025 for Case 25 - 04 The Chairman opened the Rezoning Hearing for Case 25 - 04 Case 25 - 04 Petition to rezone 948 acres of a 157 acre parcel located at 477 Hatcher Road in the Micro Township from Agricultural Residential AR to General Business - Conditional Zoning GB - CZ Tax ID 10N07005E Owner Cassandra & Jarred Bridges Applicant Cassandra Bridges Conditional Zoning Request Animal Boarding Facility Planning Director Braston Newton stated the petition is to rezone 948 acres of a 157 acre parcel located at 477 Hatcher Road in the Micro Township from Agricultural Residential to General Business - Conditional Zoning He stated the conditional zoning request is to allow for an animal boarding facility The surrounding land uses are zoned Agricultural Residential and used for residential and agricultural purposes The existing use on the property is a residence Mr Newton stated the area is located within a designated “ Agricultural Area ” future land use place type on the County’s Envision Johnston Comprehensive Land Use Plan meaning it is intended to remain rural while allowing some residential uses at very low densities He stated the traffic count for this portion of Hatcher Road not available and does not appear on the Comprehensive Transportation Plan as needing improvement Staff’s recommendation is for denial due to access concerns from Hatcher Road and a lack of required buffering along the existing easement The Chairman called for the applicant to come forward and called the following to everyone’s attention PagePage pageNumber9549 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued Proposed Conditions 1 Group outdoor play and exercise for boarded animals will be limited to the house between 8 am to 7 pm to reduce noise impact on neighboring properties proposes by applicant 2 Sound dampening fencing and strategic landscaping will be installed along property lines adjacent to residential area to further minimize noise proposed by applicant 3 Adequate on - site parking will be provided for all staff and clients to prevent overflow onto public streets proposed by applicant 4 Drop off and pick - up of boarded daycare pets will be scheduled in designated time windows to avoid contributing to local peak traffic congestion proposed by applicant 5 Comprehensive waste management protocols will be followed to ensure all animal waste is handled and disposed of according to local health environmental regulations proposed by applicant 6 The facility will implement environmentally responsible stormwater management practices , such as permeable pavement and rain gardens to protect local waterways proposed by applicant 7 The design , exterior colors , and signage of the facility will align with community standards and will be reviewed with the planning board prior to final approval to ensure visual harmony with the neighborhood proposed by applicant 8 The facility will host quarterly community meetings or open houses to address questions or concerns from neighbors and to provide updates on operations proposed by applicant 9 Permitted uses Animal Boarding Facility proposed by applicant 10 A Class B 2 large trees , 3 small trees , and 9 shrubs every 100 linear feet landscape buffer shall be installed along all conditional zoning lines All buffers must be placed outside of any fencing existing vegetation may be used proposed by staff 11 The development shall conform to all requirements of the Johnston County Land Development Code 12 Applicant shall submit a detailed site plan for review and approval by the Planning and Zoning Department Staff 13 All signage shall comply with the Johnston County sign code 14 All structures must comply with all rules enforced by Federal , State , and Local agencies 15 Secure an NCDOT driveway permit 16 Driveway apron must be paved through NCDOT right - of - way Mandated by NCDOT Conditional Zoning Applicant Questions 1 That the use or development is located , designed , and proposed to be operated so as to maintain or promote the public health , safety , and general welfare ; Applicant The proposed development is located in an area with adequate infrastructure and emergency services equipped , reducing response times and ensuring community access It is designed with wide sidewalks , green spaces and energy efficient systems that promote health and environmental sustainability The operation plan includes regular maintenance , security measures and compliance with local health and safety regulations , ensuring ongoing protection of the public welfare 2 That the use of the 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 ; Applicant The proposed zoning district allows for low density residential and small scale commercial uses , which are consistent with the existing neighborhood character These uses support local needs without introducing excessive traffic or noise The district also includes design guidelines to ensure new development fits with surrounding architecture , helping maintain the area’s aesthetic and livability 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 ; Applicant The proposed dog boarding and daycare facility is appropriately located in a mixed use agricultural area , where service based businesses are compatible with surrounding land uses The site offers convenient access for residents and pet owners while maintaining an appropriate buffer from nearby residential properties to minimize potential risks The design of the facility is intended to complement the character of the neighborhood The building will incorporate high quality exterior finishes , professionally landscaped areas , and secure fencing to ensure an attractive and well maintained appearance Noise reducing construction methods , such as sound proofing and enclosed play areas , will be used to limit auditory impact on neighboring properties Waste management will be handled through a strict sanitation plan to prevent odors and maintain cleanliness Operationally the facility will maintain regular business hours of 7 am to 7 pm with all activities supervised by trained staff Dogs will be grouped and managed according to size and temperament , and both indoor and outdoor areas will be monitored to ensure animal welfare and safety Drop off and pick up procedures will be designed to prevent traffic congestion and ensure safety for all visitors The facility fulfills a demonstrated public need by providing a locally professionally operated service for dog owners seeking reliable care during the day or overnight As pet ownership continues to rise , the demand for safe , regulated , and convenient pet care services has increased The facility offers an essential amenity for working professionals , seniors and families , supporting both animal welfare and the lifestyle needs of the community Page0550 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued 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 Applicant The proposed zoning change is consistent with the Johnston County Comprehensive Land Use Plan , which promotes orderly growth , compatible land uses , and sustainable development practices The site falls within an area intended for mixed use agriculture in the future land use map , which supports the type of development being proposed The zoning change facilitates a use that aligns with the county’s goal of encouraging development , supporting local services , and meeting the needs of a growing population The proposed use is also supported by adopted policies that emphasize access to services , efficient infrastructure use , and minimizing land use conflicts through thoughtful site design and buffering Additionally , the request supports the county’s intent to provide diverse service options for residents while protecting the character of surrounding areas through appropriate zoning transitions and compliance with development standards The proposed rezoning supports long term planning objectives and contributes positively to the broader community Applicant Cassandra Bridges , 477 Hatcher Road , provided a modified site plan to the Board for their consideration Ms Bridges stated she is the founder of Cassie’s Critter Care , a local pet sitting business established in 2017 and formalized in 2019 , providing pet boarding , training , drop - in visits , and dog walking services Ms Bridges requested the Board to approve the rezoning to allow for the operation of a small dog kennel stating this is a growing demand in her community Ms Bridges stated they serve approximately 150 clients in a year offering reliable and compassionate care for pets while their owners are at work or on vacation She stated they purchased their home in October of 2020 and recognized the property’s potential to offer safe in - home boarding Ms Bridges stated the rezoning will allow them to construct a small kennel which will enhance their ability to provide a home - like boarding experience She stated the facility will address an increasing demand for professional pet care in Johnston County , create a controlled and well - maintained environment for up to 20 - 30 dogs ensuring their safety and comfort , contribute to the local economy by sustaining a small business and creating part - time jobs , and align with the County’s goal of supporting local entrepreneurs and community services Ms Bridges stated currently with their day - to - day schedule , the typical operating hours are from 6 30 am until 8 45 pm with occasional late pick - ups during busy holiday periods Ms Bridges stated they focus on creating a safe , clean , and welcoming environment for pets and their owners Ms Bridges stated they met with neighbors Angel and Warren Phillips to inform them of their plans ; however , that relationship has changed Ms Bridges stated she tried on multiple occasions to talk with them and discuss plans and invite their ideas Ms Bridges stated Warren Phillips informed her that he did not want to lose his view and she assured him that she did not plan to build something that would be an eyesore Ms Bridges stated due to the drain field placement on their property for their house they are unable to use their current driveway for client access and parking Ms Bridges stated she is committed to working with the County and her neighbors on a solution for the driveway access Ms Bridges stated with regards to the concerns raised at the Planning Board meeting about the disposal of dog waste , they now take it to the convenience site every few days as needed Ms Bridges also stated she tries to limit the dogs barking and works to schedule drop offs and pick ups between the hours of 6 30 am to 8 45 pm She stated because of outside pet sitting duties , she has allowed clients to pick up dogs as late as 9 30 pm , but this is rare Ms Bridges stated other vehicle activity may be personal visitors from family and friends and not related to business operations Ms Bridges referenced the modified site plan and noted the driveway has been curved to meet the 25 ’ easement She stated a private property sign would be installed at the end to signify that business traffic cannot go past the drive Ms Bridges stated there was also a concern about driving over water and power lines for a nearby home under construction Ms Bridges stated she understands those concerns ; however , because of the drain field it is not possible to use their driveway and there is not enough room to install a third driveway Ms Bridges stated should the property be sold in the future , the kennel could be repurposed as a workshop or similar structure so there would be no decrease in property value Ms Bridges stated as a responsible business owner she is committed to all the dogs being supervised at all times by trained staff and dogs would be grouped thoughtfully to prevent unnecessary barking She stated trees and landscaping would be installed for a buffer to reduce noise and secure fencing will be in place Ms Bridges stated outdoor activities would be limited to specific hours to minimize noise and pick - ups and drop - offs will be scheduled to avoid congestion on the driveway She stated dog waste would be cleaned up regularly and transported to the convenience center to maintain a sanitary environment Ms Bridges stated the facility will be kept clean and well maintained to preserve appearance Ms Bridges stated since beginning her business she has been committed to operating in a way that benefits both her clients and the surrounding community and there is a growing demand for pet care in Johnston County She offered to answer any questions At the inquiry of the Board , Ms Bridges noted the modifications on the new site plan for the Board Page1551 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued Upon a question by Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , Ms Bridges stated the 60 ’ easement is indicated by the dashed line on the site plan and their parking area would be just on the outside of that easement She stated this would leave plenty of room for traffic At the inquiry of Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris , Ms Bridges noted the location of her residence on the site plan for the Board Chairman Lawter stated at the Planning Board meeting there was some objection by the neighbors about using the same driveway as the business Chairman Lawter asked about the septic field for the kennel Ms Bridges confirmed the concern that the neighbors do not want to use the same driveway due to safety concerns ; however , she feels she has addressed those concerns with allowing for a wider driveway and scheduling pick - ups and drop - offs in advance to avoid peak hours Ms Bridges stated the septic field for the kennel is not in place yet and would be installed if the request is approved Commissioner April Stephens asked for staff to show the aerial GIS photo due to confusion over the new site plan and the location of the residence Ms Bridges noted the location of her house on the site plan in relation to the septic drain fields and the driveways The Board discussed the modified site plan and the location of the house , the drain fields , and driveways Chairman Lawter asked if staff had been allowed time to review the new site plan Ms Bridges stated she spoke with staff last Tuesday and discussed the changes She stated the changes were then made with the surveyor and the new site plan drawn Mr Newton acknowledged the conversation with Ms Bridges but noted that staff has not seen the new site plan until this meeting Vice Chairman Harris suggested tabling the request until staff has had a chance to review the new site plan Commissioner Ted G Godwin noted there may be others present that would like to speak before the Board tables the request Upon a question by Chairman Lawter , County Attorney Jennifer Slusser stated if there are major modifications to the site plan it may have to go back before the Planning Board , but she cannot say for certain without having had a chance to review the new site plan Ms Slusser stated her concern is that because the new site plan was just introduced at this meeting , the audience has also not had the benefit of reviewing the new plan Ms Slusser stated by tabling the request it will allow staff time to review the new site plan and determine if it needs to go back before the Planning Board She stated the Board could table the request until the September 15 , 2025 meeting , and if the Planning Board needs to review the request again , the Board could simply table the th request further at the September 15 meeting At the inquiry of Commissioner Godwin , Mr Newton stated in briefly looking at the new site plan this evening , it appears to reflect his conversation with Ms Bridges ; however , there are still some concerns regarding a buffer He stated in looking briefly at this new site plan , he does not think it will have to go back before the Planning Board Case 25 - 04 Tabled until September 15 , 2025 6 00 pm meeting Case 25 - 04 Petition to rezone 948 acres of a 157 acre parcel located at 477 Hatcher Road in the Micro Township from Agricultural Residential AR to General Business - Conditional Zoning GB - CZ Tax ID 10N07005E Owner Cassandra & Jarred Bridges Applicant Cassandra Bridges Conditional Zoning Request Animal Boarding Facility Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris moved the Board table Case 25 - 04 until the September 15 , 2025 6 00 pm meeting to allow staff additional time to review the modifications to the new site plan Commissioner Michelle Pace Davis seconded the motion Page2552 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued Vice Chairman Harris stated this will allow staff as well as the public time to review the new site plan Commissioner Ted G Godwin stated he is sensitive to the people that may have come out to this meeting and he is ready to move forward with a decision ; therefore , he will be voting against the motion to table Commissioner April Stephens stated if there are people that wished to speak at this meeting , she would like to hear what they have to say now and take all that into consideration Vice Chairman Harris stated the new site plan may address some of the neighboring concerns but that is not yet known because it was just introduced by the applicant and has not been seen by the neighbors The motion to table carried by the following vote Ayes Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris , and Commissioners April Stephens , Bill Stovall , Michelle Pace Davis , and Mike Rose Nays Commissioner Ted G Godwin 6 Manager Reports and Comments A Resolution for Condemnation Authority – Buffalo Road Parallel Force Main Project County Attorney Jennifer Slusser explained that the Buffalo Road Parallel Force Main Project contract was recently awarded by the Board , contingent upon the Division of Water Infrastructure approval She recalled this project is to divert wastewater from the Towns of Selma and Pine Level to the 210 Wastewater Treatment Plant Ms Slusser stated easements will be required in order to complete this project , and staff has successfully negotiated the conveyances of all except for four Ms Slusser stated given that there are significant timing issues as well as the need for this project due to public safety , staff is requesting the Board to consider adopting a resolution allowing for condemnation to acquire those portions of properties located at 1553 Buffalo Road , 1791 Buffalo Road , 1755 Buffalo Road , and 2117 Buffalo Road Ms Slusser stated by adopting this resolution the Board would provide authority to move forward with eminent domain only if necessary Ms Slusser pointed out that as always , eminent domain is a last resort option for any project by Johnston County and staff works very hard to avoid condemnation whenever possible She stated staff will continue with negotiations in the hopes of a successful outcome ; however , given the time constraints associated with this project , staff is requesting a resolution by the Board Upon a motion by Commissioner Ted G Godwin , seconded by Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris , and carried unanimously , the Board adopted the following resolution A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONDEMNATION TO ACQUIRE ALL PROPERTY INTERESTS NECESSARY TO CONSTRUCT THE BUFFALO ROAD PARALLEL FORCEMAIN PROJECT WHEREAS , the Johnston County Board of Commissioners hereby determines that it is necessary and in the public interest to acquire property interests in and to those parcels that are listed and more particularly identified in Exhibit A attached to this Resolution and which form a portion of the County’s Buffalo Road Parallel Forcemain Project “ Project ” , all for the purpose of promoting the public safety and welfare and to improve the public sewer system by having the Project constructed as set forth on the final , sealed Project construction plans , as the same may be amended from time to time ; and WHEREAS , if the proper officials or representatives of the County are unable to acquire by negotiated conveyance the needed interests in and to those parcels listed in Exhibit A to allow the construction , operation , and maintenance of the improvements contemplated for the Project , then Johnston County may take such action as is authorized by this Resolution NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED BY THE JOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THAT 1 For the purposes stated above , Johnston County is authorized to acquire by condemnation all property interests in and to those parcels that are listed in Exhibit A as such property interests are necessary to construct the Project as set forth on the final , sealed Project construction plans , as the same may be amended from time to time Page3553 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued 2 In the event the proper officials or representatives of Johnston County have been unable to acquire by negotiated conveyance the needed interests in and to those parcels listed in Exhibit A , the attorneys representing Johnston County are directed to institute the necessary proceedings under the North Carolina General Statutes to acquire all such necessary property interests The County Attorney is authorized to retain outside counsel to perform such duties and to provide legal services related to this matter Exhibit A Parcel 6 Being a 0150 + - acre permanent utility easement and 0171 + - acre temporary construction easement on a portion of that 14750 acre parcel located at 1553 Buffalo Rd Smithfield , NC 27577 and identified as NC PIN 1694408 - 78 - 8710 and found at Deed Book 795 Pages 258 , Johnston County Registry The property is now or formerly owned by Tucker U Twisdale Parcel 7 Being a 0083 + - acre permanent utility easement and 0063 + - acre temporary construction easement on a portion of that 24640 acre parcel located at 1791 Buffalo Rd Smithfield , NC 27577 and identified as NC PIN 1694408 - 79 - 8432 and found at Deed Book 1867 Page 707 , Johnston County Registry The property is now or formerly owned by Tucker U Twisdale Parcel 8 Being a 0040 + - acre permanent utility easement and a 0037 + - acre temporary construction easement on a portion of that 0600 acre parcel located at 1755 Buffalo Rd Smithfield , NC 27577 and identified as NC PIN 1694408 - 89 - 5289 and found at Deed Book 649 Page 100 , Johnston County Registry The property is now or formerly owned by Tucker U Twisdale Parcel 11 Being a 0016 + - acre permanent utility easement on a portion of that 1880 acre parcel located at 2117 Buffalo Rd Smithfield , NC 27577 and identified as NC PIN 169520 - 91 - 0500 and found at Deed Book 5021 Page 175 , Johnston County Registry The property is now or formerly owned by Wyatt Twisdale and John Twisdale , Jr 7 Board Reports and Comments Commissioner April Stephens stated it is exciting to see plans like the updated Comprehensive Transportation Plan coming before the Board Commissioner Stephens added that she feels like the Board is making progress by moving forward on some of the more significant plans and projects and she is excited for the future Commissioner Michelle Pace Davis expressed her appreciation for serving on the Board of Commissioners Commissioner Davis shared that she received a phone call recently from a citizen regarding a Johnston County employee Commissioner Davis stated she was told that a Johnston County vehicle got behind a tractor on NC Hwy 210 and put their hazard lights on to help this farmer get to their next field on this busy stretch of highway Commissioner Davis commented on how great it was to hear about that employee helping a farmer Commissioner Davis stated she does not know who the employee was , but it was great to get that phone call and have someone recognize the good things by County employees Commissioner Bill Stovall stated he was unable to attend the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Conference recently due to participating with the Johnston County 4 - H Shooting Sports Club at the Eastern Regional Tournament in Tyrrell County Commissioner Stovall reported that 15 youths from Johnston County attended this event and all qualified to go to the State tournament , which means they either received a medal or they qualified in the top five of their respective groups Commissioner Stovall stated it was a very good day and everyone had fun He thanked his fellow Commissioners for their help in facilitating what will hopefully be a permanent home for the club at the Johnston County Landfill Commissioner Ted G Godwin commented that several have mentioned the many projects ongoing in the County and stated if anyone gets overwhelmed to just consider there are other counties in North Carolina that have populations of less than 10,000 people Chairman RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr stated it was interesting to hear from other counties that attended the recent County Commissioners conference on how everyone deals with issues and things like schools Chairman Lawter noted that schools is a shared problem with most counties 8 Closed Session – NCGS 14331811 a 3 – Attorney Client Privilege and NCGS 14331811 a 5 – Acquisition of Property Upon a motion by Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris , seconded by Commissioner Mike Rose , and carried by unanimous vote , the Board recessed regular session to sit in closed session for the purposes of consulting withPage4554 September 2 , 2025 – 6 00 pm Continued an attorney employed by the Board in order to preserve the attorney - client privilege pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143 - 31811 a 3 and to establish or instruct staff concerning the negotiation of the price and terms of a contract concerning the acquisition of real property pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143 - 31811 a 5 No action was taken Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris moved the Board adjourn closed session and resume regular session Commissioner Ted G Godwin seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote There being no further business , Vice Chairman Patrick E Harris moved the Board adjourn Commissioner Mike Rose seconded the motion , which carried by unanimous vote The meeting adjourned at 8 27 pm RS “ Butch ” Lawter , Jr , Chairman Dana G Cuddington , Clerk to the BoardPage