Board Of Commissioners Approves "Planned Unit Development"

On Monday night an important milestone was reached in Bertie County with the approval of the "Planned unit development" provision for our subdivision ordinances. It is a modification that permits a different type of development, allowing an increase of density for a development that sets aside large portions of a tract for open space.

The arguments about this issue have been quite passionate and taken up considerable time. Though it permits developments that would otherwise not have been possible, it provides for a process that can allow us to make sure they are environmentally friendly and produce a better life style than committing all the land of a development to standard homes. However there are many people who do not like the townhouse or condominium concept that makes the PUD concept attractive financially for the developer. For many people though it will allow for a more desirable place to live convenient to open spaces and parks at a price they could not otherwise afford. We still need to pay attention to what is being developed so that the PUD concept works well for Bertie County.

The Commissioners also held cermony to award matching funds to two of our local fire departments. Commissioner Wallace Perry presents checks to Aulander and Perrytown Fire Chiefs, David Klingler and Bud Lee.





Bertie County was awarded several plaques from "Relay for Life", delivered by advocate and activist Jo Ann Jordan in recognition of the fact that Bertie County ranked 4th in the nation in contributions per capita.

In another action with regard to future county developments and making sure developers serve the county in a positive way, the County Commssioner's unanimously approved a contract with the MidEast Commission to develope a draft Zoning Ordinance for Bertie County. Zoning is something that is necessary when an area is going through a period of development. All indications are our area will be seeing significant development over the next 20 years. The zoning ordinance is intended to limt undesirable development without infringing on the rights of property owners. This last is key. Often zoning is used to simply take away development rights by those who oppose any growth. This must be avoided.

As citizens we need to watch this process carefully.