Planning board member Lawrence White recused himself from deliberations because he lives next to the property and board member Terry Buffaloe was absent.
(City council will take up the matter at its April 5 meeting which will be held at 5:15 p.m. in the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street)
Mack Gay Associates, a Rocky Mount engineering, planning and surveying company, had originally sought a B-4 commercial rezoning for the property but planning board member Henry Ford asked a representative of the company whether B-3 would work. “The reason I'm asking is there's a lot of residential out there.”
B-3, Ford said, is more restrictive than B-4. “The land is more suitable for B-3.”
Scott Bumgarner, of Mack Gay, said B-3 would work for the project.
Crichlow explained during a public hearing on the matter he has been practicing at Mid-Atlantic's Becker Drive location since 2004. “We've been very satisfied with our practice and care for our patients. In order to meet the demands, we see the need to expand. We need to provide additional services.”
That means the addition of other doctors, he said, as well as adding services like advanced retinal care, which requires a larger area. He said the proposed expansion would offer additional employment in the area.
Crichlow said while the current location has served the needs of patients, it is small and parking often inadequate, some patients having to park at the mall across the street. “We see the need to provide new services and bring equipment we don't have.”
Edward Dickens, who owns and farms the land on Dickens Farm Road, spoke in opposition to the proposal. “It's a Century Farm and in a North Carolina Agriculture District that lets people (know there are) pesticides, dust, chemical odors, chemicals (being used) and noise.”
Dickens said he didn't know of any place or business which would want to deal with that. He said there are wetlands on the property and no sewer hook-ups.
Bumgarner said Crichlow is aware of the farming operation and would be willing to mitigate factors associated with farming. “The city has rules in place that protect neighboring property. We will follow all rules the city has in place.”
Andy Lamb, an engineer with Mack Gay, said the company is addressing sewer options. “We're looking at an onsite septic system until the sewer can be worked out.”
