During Monday night’s meeting, a large crowd of residents gathered at the East Bend council chambers to offer their opinions on whether the town should proceed with the rezoning and which would allow the national grocery chain the opportunity to build here.
Last month, the East Bend Planning Board rejected a rezoning request from residential to highway commercial for the parcel owned by George Benbow. A portion of the property fronts Main Street and N.C. 67.
However, state statutes allow town commissioners the final determination on rezoning questions.
Mayor Stewart Maples and Town Council members Laurence Todd, Earl Norman, Albert Davis and Wanda Johnson approved the request.
Benbow was allowed to address the commissioners Monday night. He confirmed a contract with Food Lion for the property.
His agent, N.C. Rep. Darrell McCormick, who works in commercial real estate, also attended the meeting.
“We were looking for a site that might look attractive to a grocery store,” said McCormick.
Other speakers spoke about the impact a Food Lion might have for the East Bend area.
“This would be a major impact for economic development in the Town of East Bend and Yadkin County,” Larry Adams said.
He said that based on the Yadkinville Food Lion, at the current tax rate, East Bend would receive about $12,000 or about four cents on the town’s ad valorum tax rate. The town could see up to $20,000 in additional revenues per year if it based estimates on sales at the Food Lion operating in Yadkin County.
“Don’t let this opportunity escape you. Please vote for this rezoning. You will not get but one chance to get this Food Lion store,” Adams said. “Remember what happened in Boonville a few years ago,” Adams warned the town commissioners.
Kenneth Spillman said, “This is a real chance for East Bend to see some positive growth, for our young people and for finding employment. Our residents have to jump in the car and run to Old Town or King or Boonville. A little competition is a good thing. I’ve lived here all my life. We always end up being told why we can’t have something. My question is why not?
“Why? What are you waiting for? Let’s get this thing going,” he said. “I don’t know why anyone would stand in opposition to this. This is such a good healthy thing for everybody. I say let’s strike the iron while it’s hot. Let’s make this thing happen.”
There was applause.
“We’re sending everything across the bridge. Let’s keep it here,” said one citizen.
“We agree!” chimed one woman to applause.
Chad Wagoner, chairman of the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners, said he is a resident of East Bend.
“It’s more convenient for us to go to Lewisville to pick up groceries or for me to pick them up on the way home from work in Mount Airy each evening from the pharmacy I work at. I appreciate the town board for letting people speak this evening.”
“I also appreciate the fact that you were forward enough to put alcohol on the ballot to be passed here in East Bend. I appreciate you doing that, but more so I applaud the citizens of East Bend for passing it.”
No one can argue about the success of the Wilco since that happened, he added.
“With the citizens of East Bend being that thirsty, do you not also feel that the same citizens are hungry for groceries?” Wagoner asked. There was applause.
“I certainly as a taxpayer in the county would much rather see my sales tax dollars spent right here in my home county than in Forsyth or Lewisville or Mount Airy in Surry County where I do most of my shopping at.”
Henrietta Church said, “I have never known that anyone has requested to go ahead and zone for commercial property. I thought that was the object of the town to go after the tax. Naturally I would like to see a Food Lion here.”
Clarence Phillips said, “I’d really like to see a Food Lion come here. It would mean more jobs for the town. I wouldn’t have to drive 25 miles to get groceries. It would mean money in my pocket and everything.”
Diane Daub spoke.
“I want it to be rezoned,” she said. “It’s in town. I’m looking at the price of gas for one thing. I don’t know how much more it’s going to go up. Another thing is the revenue. That trickles down. I’m all for jobs. We need all the revenue we can get because we are planning on getting water from King. That’s going to cost a lot. We need to be business friendly. We need it badly. There are a lot of elderly in this county, and there are a lot of elderly in East Bend.”
One speaker noted that some people come to buy houses in the area and ask about the availability of grocery stores. “I’m all for it,” he added. “You be sure to remember this because voting season is coming up.” There was laughter, then applause.
Anna Hamby of Healthy Yadkin spoke in favor of the supermarket.
“I just wanted to quickly point out some of the health aspects of having fresh fruits and vegetables available for people who might not otherwise be able to get them with travel restrictions,” she said.
One speaker said the town needs doctors and restaurants open every day.
In other business the council discussed a need for better bookkeeping with invoices and keeping departmental requests under $200 before a special request is made.
The mayor asked that town vehicles get oil changes and a full inspection this month. A budget workshop is scheduled for later this month.
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