Unless you’re socially distancing on a deserted island or a uninhabited mountain top (don’t I wish), you probably know by now that Jeff Shipman’s conditional re-zoning application to construct a new hot mix asphalt drum plant is the sole agenda item at Henderson County’s Planning Board Meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 5:30 pm.
The Planning Department says there are currently no plans to offer an option to connect by phone or Zoom, so public comments will have to be made IN PERSON at the Blue Ridge Conference Hall on the Blue Ridge Community College campus (Technology Education and Development Center building, 49 East Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731). Although it’s little reassurance to those who are terrified of exposure to Covid-19, masks will be required and social distancing will be enforced.
WE NEED YOU THERE TO SAY NO.
Even though we’re in the middle of a pandemic, we MUST make our voice heard.
📢 Public comments will be limited to a 3 minute maximum per speaker. Speakers will be called in order of signup sheet (first come, first called). Signs and posters will be allowed.
The 9 appointed members of the Planning Board will hear and consider these comments before submitting a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners, who will have the final approval or denial authority at a later date (TBD).
What you can do to prepare:
- Contact the Planning Department staff and let them know your concerns about holding a public meeting during the pandemic.
- Prepare and submit your statement of opposition for the August 20th Planning Board Meeting (just in case something happens and you can’t be there in person).
- Get your sign ready. Yes, signs are allowed. Bring one to show your opposition to this rezoning application.
- Wash your green shirt and get it ready. Your shirt is a walking billboard to show your opposition.
- Make coffee ☕ … LOTS and LOTS of coffee. Be prepared to dig in and stay for hours to wait your turn to make a comment. We expect many people to show up and we hope the planning board has to turn off the lights on us and ask us to come back another night to finish making all our comments.
What you can do right now:
💪🏼 Get out and show your opposition! That may mean getting out in the world and showing your support publicly at Orr’s Family Restaurant every Friday like some of our great friends, getting your letters out to the Planning Board members and the Board of Commissioners, sponsoring a billboard, or wearing your green shirt while shopping for bananas in the local produce section or farmer’s market.
Whatever you do, make it known you don’t want an asphalt plant in your neighborhood and that is non-negotiable!
We will be there.
Perfect. We will be there and I can spread the word.
I will try my best to be there, it all depends on how I’m doing that day. Right now I’ve been dealing with some bad edema in my legs and feet . I still can’t believe that we are actually having to fight something like this. I was born and raised most of my life right here in this community . In some ways it’s still the same , but putting this in would just destroy everything that makes this an old down to earth neighborly community !
I’m also inviting some of my friends!
Will definitely be there unless I have to work.
I would happily wear the t-shirt I ordered about a month ago but have not received a call to let me know it’s available.
During a pandemic, with the Governor of NC issued mandates for no more than 25 to meet in an inside room, how can this meeting be held without Zoom? This type of Public meeting goes against the Covid-19 crowd rules! Something isn’t right! Many do not want to risk their life.
I WILL be there!
I will be there in person. I know others will not be because of the Pandemic. They are upset because they want their voices to be heard at this meeting and they can’t take the risk attending in person. They were hoping for it would be done Zoom, esp for those who are elderly or those who have Cancer, respiratory illnesses and can’t risk it.