W.P. Planning Board Denies Food Lion

The Food Lion in Whispering Pines Glenn M. Sides

As of Friday, August 13, 2010

The Whispering Pines Planning Board on Friday turned down a proposed site plan change that would limit access to the Food Lion shopping center.

The board voted 3-2 against a revised plan submitted by JDH Capital that called for installing a concrete median to prevent eastbound traffic on Sullivan Drive from turning left into the shopping center.

“It just doesn’t impress me,” board member Bob Kroll said. “If we have on accident there, I am going to feel very guilty, so I tend to not be in favor of this.”

Kroll, Agnes Buckley and Tim Venjohn voted against a motion by Colin Webster to approve the change, with the condition that an additional ingress lane be added to the shopping center’s main entrance on NC 22. Board member Leonard Murry voted with Webster for the motion.

The three voting against the revised plan cited concerns that the new plan presented safety issues and was not in the long-term best interest of the residents of Whispering Pines.

Food Lion representatives say the store will still open on Sept. 8.

Village ordinances require that both the Planning Board and the Village Council must approve any changes to the major special-use plans. The council approved the revised plan Wednesday.

The need for a change resulted when developers could not obtain an easement to allow eastbound traffic on Sullivan Drive to turn left into the shopping center.

More like this story

greentara13 2 years, 9 months ago

Oh good grief! It isn't like it is a heavily populated area. Unfortunately, careless drivers are careless, regardless if we try and overplan every detail.

stephen 2 years, 9 months ago

Just curious. What does a "yankee-board" have to do with any of this? I guess you could have said an all white-board, an all-black board or an all illegal-board and some eyebrows might have been raised. But north bashing must be an acceptable form of discrimination.

debsalomon 2 years, 9 months ago

Dear Flactem: I may be wrong, this may not make sense, perhaps it's an overreaction but as a half-Yankee I have heard it whispered that discrimination (especially the acceptable kind, of which you speak) is often a reaction to (heaven forbid) fear. Sort of, the best defense is a good offense theory. Just make sure you don't use any tainted damnyankee tax money to fix your roads, build your schools, pay your policemen. Respectfully, a Mason-Dixon Lineslady

USAgirl 2 years, 9 months ago

If you are a crappy driver than don't drive. Its not hard to be patient and if more people were than maybe we wouldn't have to be treated like kids when it comes to driving.

debsalomon 2 years, 9 months ago

Fear that sacred southern traditions will be trampled by cold, hard Yankee boots. Don't worry. We're not carpetbaggers. We love it down here. For the most part, we love the way you live -- especially your friendliness.. why else would we have come? Don't spoil our good impression with ugly name-calling. Thank you...