Howard: Norwood, Union County have no plans to take over Bayshore property

Published 10:54 am Thursday, September 16, 2021

Norwood will not be taking over a residence or facilitating its sale, despite comments made at this month’s town council meeting.

In an interview Wednesday with Town Administrator Scott Howard, he confirmed the house of Obern Rodman on 310 Bayshore Dr. will not be taken by Norwood.

At the council meeting, Rodman, 96, spoke during the public comments meeting asking the council “why and when they are going to take my property.”

Mayor Linda Campbell said she had just been briefed about the situation. She said Union County was looking to acquire the property, which is located close to the new intake station under construction.

Union can not acquire land outside its borders, Campbell said, but it could through the town of Norwood.

Rodman, her son, Mike Myers, and Albemarle attorney Patrick Currie also attended the meeting.

Town attorney Jim Phillips said the project for the new intake station is down to the last nine or 10 parcels. He said the town has an easement from the property owner, but Rodman’s parcel is not contiguous, but is close to the station.

On Wednesday, Howard said Norwood was not instigating any condemnation proceedings against the property owner. Union County, he added, “has no plans to acquire it.”

Howard said at the time of the meeting, the two parties were in a negotiating stage. Both parties got appraisals, but “that’s as far as it went,” he added.

He said there are also no plans to take over the property in terms of eminent domain as well.

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

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