Pinecrest ordinance to see second reading at City Council meeting

BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Members of Beckley City Council will assemble on Tuesday evening for a session at which the second reading and public hearing for an ordinance pertaining to the Pinecrest Industrial Park property in Beckley.

The ordinance passed on its first reading earlier this month, but not without extensive discussion. Council Representative At-Large, Sherrie Hunter presented a motion to amend the ordinance, splitting the deed for the property with the Raleigh County Board of Education – which would receive the youth cross-country course – and the Raleigh County Commission – who would utilize the property for economic development.

“I respectfully request the opportunity to discuss the potential transfer of property from the city to the county and its subsequent impact on the trail,” said Hunter during council’s most recent session at the time of writing. “My motion is to split the deed – give the Board of Education the cross-country course for youth development, community engagement and community camaraderie, and to deed the remaining property to the County Commission for economic development.”

City Attorney, Bill File countered that additional tampering with the proposed plan for the Pinecrest ordinance would likely lead to the withdrawal of the Raleigh County Commission with regard to their participation in the proceedings.

“I spoke with Billy Roop today. He indicated that if the city was not prepared to move this along through first reading tonight, he was concerned that the County Commission would opt to back away from the project in its entirety,” said File. “They have a time frame they are required to meet in order to spend the money that they spoke to us about, and it’s a tight timeline.”

Tuesday’s session of City Council will not only see the second reading of the Pinecrest ordinance, but also will invite commentaries from members of the community for the public hearing portion of the session. Beckley City Council members will convene for the session at 6:30pm on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.