Hoke County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hoke County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Group Home Special Use Permits on Hector McNeill Road
Darrin McNeill has applied for eight special use permits to operate group homes on properties along Hector McNeill Road and Laurinburg Road. The Planning Board recommended approval in October, and residents will get a chance to weigh in at Monday's public hearing before the commissioners decide.
Sheets gas station rezoning on Fayetteville Road
Commissioners approved rezoning half an acre at 8861 Fayetteville Road to Highway Commercial, likely bringing a Sheets convenience store and gas station near Cape Fear Valley Hospital. Neighbors from Woodbury subdivision worry about traffic on an already congested and accident-prone stretch of 401, 24-hour noise, and strain on the county's water supply — the county already buys water from PWC and has paused some building.
Tractor-trailer parking in residential neighborhoods
A Ravenwood resident asked for an ordinance banning semi-truck parking in neighborhoods, citing road damage, dumped motor oil near a future subdivision and watershed, and safety risks. Commissioners confirmed the 193-page zoning ordinance says nothing about it and directed the county attorney to help draft one.
Starz Truck Stop Special Use Permit
A gas station near the county line wanted to become a truck stop with overnight parking. Neighbors worried about noise, refrigerated trucks running overnight, and dangerous traffic on Fayetteville Road. Commissioners approved it but required buffers and fencing before compliance, plus backed a $1,000 fine for existing violations.
Arabia Road Rezoning for Auto Shop
Dwight Jackson wants to sell 0.85 acres behind the Arabia Road store to Marlon McNeil, a former Hoke County High School auto mechanics teacher, so he can own his shop instead of renting. The rezoning from residential-agricultural to highway commercial passed.
Tiny homes and subdivision rules
Commissioners are shaping rules for tiny homes — concerned about big clusters of them — and a tiered subdivision review process. Decisions deferred pending more research and input from the County Attorney.
Rockfish Road Rezoning RZ-25-4
Nearly 20 acres on Rockfish Road were rezoned for future homes, over neighbors' objections about dangerous traffic near the school, water pressure problems, and the loss of their rural buffer. Commissioners say the actual subdivision would still need separate approvals.
Fire Flow Rules Squeeze Rural Development
New state fire code minimums — roughly 1,000 gallons per minute for non-sprinklered homes — will translate to 60,000–120,000 gallon water demands, a major hurdle for development in areas without public water lines.
Highway Commercial rezoning at 14099 Hwy 15-501
Rhetson Companies wants to renovate the old Southeastern Tool & Die site — two warehouses and an office building — into a light manufacturing operation, with two dwellings kept for company lodging. Commissioners unanimously approved the rezoning after the Planning Board's unanimous recommendation.