Harnett Commissioners form Animal Advisory Board, deny rezoning amid vape shop concerns

On July 20, Harnett County Commissioners set protocol for the Animal Services Advisory Board, denied a rezoning request because it could lead to another vape shop, supported property tax relief for elderly and disabled homeowners, and heard public comments on vaping, development and the sheriff’s department.

Senior Staff Attorney Christopher Appel suggested animal services recommend known individuals for the advisory board. Seven board members are the target. Commissioners concurred.

The purpose of the advisory board is to evaluate animal-related needs in the community, to coordinate with animal owners, relay education, promote adoptions and report to the board upon request.

County Manager Brent Trout suggested a standing six-month schedule to report to the board.

Commissioner Matt Nicol recommended quarterly reporting to spread community awareness, and the discussion showed his colleagues agreed.

Appel will create the bylaws and return at the next meeting.

Prior to a rezoning public hearing, commissioners discussed plans to reduce the number of vape shops after the public comment period, when citizens complained of vape harms and the types of people they attracted. The first move commissioners made was to deny a rezoning request for commercial use and inform the applicants they would need to reapply for conditional use, which is being updated in the Uniform Development Ordinance (UDO) to reduce the number of allowable vape shops.

Commissioners denied the request because there is an existing vape shop, owned by the same property owner requesting rezoning, next to the property in Barbecue Township on Seawell Rosser Road that applied for commercial rezoning on 1.19 acres, and they did not want another vape shop.

The board was allowed to make the denial based on the possible adverse effects the rezoning could have on the neighborhood.

Nicol said he was concerned about the legalities because they had already denied commercial rezoning for the 1.19 acres once before. “It’s bad enough that parking lot already has that flea market,” he said about traffic concerns and an eight-year-old being killed at that intersection a few weeks ago. On the other hand, he recognized that North Carolina Highway 87 had a limited source of intersections and that was where commercial developed.

During the public hearing, Larry Mitchel said he was against rezoning to commercial because it could lead to another vape shop.

Eric Stevenson said moving to conditional zoning was the best option.

Another citizen said vape shops were unregulated and children could make vape purchases.

The board approved a UDO amendment on mobile home parks (MHP) in Article V.m Section 11.6.1, subsections F. and G. to allow offices in MHPs.

The requested UDO text amendment originated from the owner of two MHPs who needed a sales office to obtain a sales dealer license.

Commissioners adopted a resolution to support Senate Bill 349, which lowers the eligibility income limits for property tax relief programs for elderly and disabled homeowners.

It features a joint income limit at 115% of the individual limit, bases eligibility on combined income for couples, and permits separate applications from multiple qualifying owners of a single residence. The bill removes deferred tax mentions from local records and receipts. The changes apply to property taxes for tax years starting July 1, 2026.

During public comments, a citizen requested a moratorium on multi-family building, asked for more gas service stations, and wanted to know who was responsible for opposing data centers.

Larry Mitchel read a letter sent to his wife from the President of the United States, then Jimmy Carter, on earning legal citizenship “with the right to take part in the business of our new government.” “It doesn’t say anything is free,” Mitchell said about the letter.

A representative from the Boys and Girls Club said vaping product laws need strengthening. He introduced club member Nevia Johnson, as seen below, who spoke about study findings, personal testimony and health consequences. Johnson asked the board to support House Bill 430, aka “Solly’s Law,” to increase the age for vaping products from 18 to 21.

Alan Longman said the NAACP’s Q & A discussed the sheriff department’s whistleblowers being beaten. He said the DARE program from 28 years ago was proven ineffective and that it enticed children to use drugs and that Harnett County Sheriff Candidate Aaron Meredith, with 28 years in the sheriff department, and is over the detention center, said he wanted to implement DARE if elected as sheriff.

Richard Chapman said property taxes provided a wealth of benefits for its citizens. He said the system needed to find a way to distinguish who would be harmed by increased property taxes.

Jay Hills said the last time he spoke he talked about law enforcement speeding vehicles. He said if they’re spending $40 million more in the budget and the sheriff’s budget was $60 million, it was not responsible for deputies to “fly” from Angier to Cameron. He cited improper deputy training and recent excessive force lawsuits leading to three firings.

J.R. said the vape business was a magnet for criminals. He said he was tired of paying rent to the government in property taxes he had already paid off.

The next meeting is Aug. 3 at 9 a.m.

July 21, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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