Sandhills_Sentinel

Comparing Moore County Highways to the front yard of a house, The Pinehurst Village Council had a work session Tuesday discussing acceptable uses on highways entering the village.

The discussion was held at the behest of Moore County who is seeking input from local communities on what should or should not be allowed on primary highway corridors.

The council agreed that it is not necessarily what kind of business it is, but how it is done. The council also would like Moore County to adopt some architectural standards. Returning to the front yard analogy, it was commented that there are things that a homeowner would put in a backyard but would not want in the front yard.

Under the proposed standard, horse farms would not be allowed adjacent to highways. There was also an extensive discussion about mobile homes and modular homes.

The statues as currently written are a little unclear, but there are different classes of manufactured housing. Mobile homes typically have wheels and are taxed as a vehicle. Doublewide mobile homes and most modular homes have a separate category; however, there are certain modular homes that meet or exceed building standards for stick-built homes.

One concern expressed by the council was not wanting to be too restrictive. It was also decided that most of the discussions between the local communities will be held at a staff level, limiting the political dimensions. The communities will submit their recommendations to Moore County, who will then make the final decision.

This is still a work in progress, but if Pinehurst has its way you will not see adult gaming establishments, pawn shops, parking lots, bars or massage and tattoo shops on the highways entering Pinehurst. As Pinehurst Mayor Nancy Fiorillo said, “it is all about appearance.”

The next regularly scheduled meeting for the village council is August 13.

~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Local News/Government Reporter Chris Prentice.           Sandhills_Sentinel
Contact him at [email protected] or (910) 639-9303.

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