by Courtney Price

LINCOLNTON – Members of the Lincoln County Planning Board voted Monday, May 7, to reject a plan for an Internet Sweepstakes center planned for N.C. 16.

The center would house computers to access online gambling at 1236 N.C. 16 N., Denver, just south of the intersection with Unity Church Road.

County zoning ordinances require Internet Sweepstakes to get permission from the county to operate in the general business district, Zoning Manager Randy Hawkins told the board.

The request met opposition from several nearby home and business owners who said crime often grows in areas surrounding Internet gambling sites.

“It doesn’t really fit in with the rest of the businesses (in the multi-tenant building),” said Frank Terzino, owner of Outtabox Personal Training. “I’ve had clients saying they don’t feel comfortable working out with me (with that business there).”

Carla Hathaway owns a home on the lot adjacent to the site.

“I’m not opposed to business, but that type of business going in that close to a residential area, that concerns me,” Hathaway said. “And I’m not real excited about having gambling that close to my home.”

The Planning Board voted 6-2 to deny the request, but the county Board of Commissioners will have the final say at its May 21 meeting.

At Monday’s meeting, the planning board also:

• Voted to approve a request from
Damon Lusk, owner of Race City Steel, who plans to expand his business to a site on N.C. 16.

• Voted to approve an amendment to the county Unified Development Ordinance. The amendment will exempt lots in general industrial districts from needing decorative road-facing walls.