Candor approves conditional use permit for biomass facility ♥

As published in the Courier-Tribune on or about November 10, 2011

By Hugh Martin

CANDOR – Following a public hearing at their November meeting Monday night, Candor Board of Commissioners gave their approval to a conditional use permit to allow the construction and operation of a biomass facility within the city limits.

NC CHP Owner 1 LLC, a North Carolina company, requested the permit to build and operate the plant, which will be sited on a 3.1 acre segment of the 140 acre Mountaire Farms feed mill complex in Candor.

The facility will burn wood chips to manufacture thermal energy in the form of steam that will be used in the chicken feed manufacturing process. Less than ½ megawatt of electricity will be produced for sale to Progress Energy in the process.

Brownie Newman, representing the applicant, said that of the more than 160 wood-fired boilers in North Carolina, this facility will be the cleanest.

Retired commercial banker Bill Bruton spoke in opposition to the project.

Attorney Bob Hornik of the Brough Law Firm in Chapel Hill moderated the hearing on behalf of the town.

In finding that the application met all seven provisions required by the conditional uses section of the town’s zoning ordinance the board voted unanimously to approve the permit.

In other business, Commissioners Tim Privett, Phillip Hearne, Tim Smith, Leslie Thomas and Layton Booker:

• Were introduced to Ashley Sherrill, who was hired November 1 as Assistant Director of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation. Sherrill will become director on July 1, 2012 following the retirement of current Director Judy Stevens;

• Gave approval to a proposed Montgomery County Transportation Plan as it pertains to the town. The plan had been approved earlier by the Troy Board of Commissioners and will also be presented to the other three municipal boards in the county and the Montgomery County Commissioners;

• Approved a contract extension from October 31 to December 31 to Maxton McDowell CPA for auditing services;

• Heard suggestions from former mayor Becky Williams on the need for the town to develop strategic plans for sidewalk, street and street light expenditures;

• Approved a request from Commissioner Thomas that Gail Britt of Britt Catering be approved to provide sugar cookies and hot chocolate for 400 people during the town’s Christmas Tree Lighting at a cost of $350.00;

• Heard a report from Management Advisor Ron Niland that he had a meeting scheduled with the owner of the Candor Shopping Center to discuss the condition of the property;
• Heard another report from Niland that he and Public Works Director Brice Hollis had been working on the planning for a 1/5 mile walking trail at the town park.