Greene commissioners set hearing on residential rezoning of former industrial park
Greene County commissioners scheduled a public hearing on rezoning the former Northwest Industrial Park in Walstonburg from industrial to residential use, but no rezoning decision has been made. During the same meeting, resident Cindy Cook asked the county to impose a moratorium on data centers while officials study their potential effects, including water use, noise, zoning and employment; commissioners took no action.
Greene County commissioners scheduled a Nov. 16 public hearing on a proposal to rezone the former Northwest Industrial Park in Walstonburg from industrial to residential use. County Manager Kyle DeHaven said the change would support the purpose contemplated when the property was sold, but the hearing itself does not approve the rezoning. The action followed an earlier decision to remove protective covenants from the I-587 Business Campus after the county agreed to sell the property for residential use.
During public comment, resident Cindy Cook urged commissioners to consider a moratorium on data centers while the county evaluates their potential effects. She cited water consumption, noise, zoning, job creation and possible tax benefits, but the board took no action on the request. Commissioners separately accepted conditions for a proposed $1.015 million USDA Rural Development grant toward a new senior center, with final funding approval still pending.