Hoke board considers townhome development, cell tower

Approves sewer extension and new fire hydrant

RAEFORD – The Hoke County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, Jan. 2.

The first order of business for the board was to hold two public hearings each for a request for a special use permit.

The first request, which was submitted by Raeford Development, was for the use of multi-family homes on four acres of property located at 3050 and 3066 Rockfish Road.

“The development will consist of 12-15 townhomes,” said Planner Jeff Dockery. “The price point for the three bedroom townhomes is $225,000 to $250,000 based on the comments from the planning board.”

“The good part I’m seeing is that it’s affordable,” said Chairman James Leach. “Trying to keep the price down so local folks can afford them because, really, with the market now, you have to have two jobs most of the time to pay for the one house.”

The second request, which was submitted by Cellco Partnership, was for the construction of a telecommunications facility located at 176 Pate Road in order to fill a coverage gap between existing Verizon sites.

“The proposed parcel houses the trucking company, Waccamaw Transport, and there are no residential subdivisions in the vicinity of the proposed site,” Dockery said. “A lattice tower with a height of 300 feet without the lightning rod is proposed. … This telecommunication facility will promote health and safety by promoting E911 calls in the event of an accident, health crisis, fire, natural disaster or other emergencies.”

The board approved the preliminary design for a sewer extension to serve Puppy Creek Fire Department as well as Pittman Grove Church Road.

“The Puppy Creek Fire Department is actually the fire department that serves most of the citizens in terms of housing in Hoke County,” said Vice Chair Harry Southerland. “A lot of our growth that’s taking place in the county is in that Puppy Creek Fire Department area as well.”

In addition, the board unanimously appointed Commissioner Tony Hunt to the Sandhills Community College Board of Trustees and approved the construction of a fire hydrant at the West Hoke Fire Department.

The Hoke County Board of Commissioners will next meet Jan. 15.