The Yadkin County Board of Commissioners met on Dec. 17 to consider several text amendments to the Yadkin County Zoning Ordinance.

Commissioner Chair Kevin Austin was absent from the night time meeting leaving four commissioners to vote.

Michael Poston, director of the department of planning and development, presented the public hearing requesting the amendments.

The first was an adjustment to civil penalties. The planning and development board requested that violations to the county ordinances be liable to a $50 civil penalty per violation for each day that the violation continues.

Poston made a point to share that this penalty would come only after the county made clear effort to resolve the issue with the resident without inflicting a penalty.

The second amendment addressed what classifies a junkyard. The amendment sought to change the ordinance from six or more junked motor vehicles to three or more before the property was declared a junkyard.

The third amendment dealt with addressing temporary uses. Poston noted that the county’s ordinance doesn’t address the possibility of short-term uses for properties such as tractor pulls, carnivals, Christmas tree lots, film shoots, concerts, etc.

Poston asked that the county consider allowing the planning and development department the leniency to decide on situations like this on a case-by-case basis granted the applicant provides the necessary applications, shows proof of permission to use the property in that manner, can insure that traffic and safety be maintained throughout the temporary use and show that all necessary permits have been obtained.

The fourth amendment addressed small-scale auto sales. Poston requested that auto sale facilities that are zoned in an RA district be allowed to operate as long as they follow the following standards: building or structures have a minimum setback of twice what is required by the existing ordinance, all uses other than display of autos associated with the business must be located in the side or rear yard of the property, all storage associated with auto sales shall be buffered from adjacent property by fencing or vegetation and the business shall not create any noxious fumes, odors, traffic congestion, noise or other nuisance factors.

The fifth amendment dealt with small scale restaurant in a horse show or riding facility. This amendment would allow for associated small-scale facilities such as a tack shop or restaurant that are incidental to the horse show/riding facility but may enhance the overall property in relation to tourism be permitted on a case-by-case basis.

The sixth and final amendment addressed solar farming. The amendment requests that districts zoned as RA be allowed to house solar farms as long as all structures associated with the farm maintain standard setbacks applicable to the zoning district, any equipment producing sound or noise be set back a minimum of 100 feet from any property line, all storage must be located indoors, utility facilities and all associated structures and equipment shall be enclosed with a minimum eight feet high security fence and vegetation or wooded area, the business shall not create any noxious fumes, odors, traffic congestion, noise or other nuisance factors and the when the solar farm ceases operation all structures and equipment related to the farm must be removed.

Following Poston’s presentation and some discussions clarifying some details of the amendments the commissioners voted unanimously 4-0 in favor of passing all six amendments as presented by Poston.

Reach Lindsay Craven at 679-2341 or at lcraven@heartlandpublications.com.