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Nov. 19-25, 2025 Vol 47 No 47 | 1 Section | 6 Pages
Planning Board rejects rezoning but public hearing continued By CAROL BROOKS freelance writer cab1hp@gmail.com After a split 2-2 vote, Planning Board Chair Hope Inge was the deciding “no” vote in the matter of rezoning four parcels of land on West Main Street for a multi-unit housing development. The request was made by Burkely Communities, LLC, to rezone 207, 209, 301 and 305 W. Main St. from Main Street (MS) and Commercial/Main Street Transitional (C/MST) to Conditional Zoning-Residential/Main Street Transitional (CZ-R/MST). Burkely proposes a development of up to 138 units of a multifamily residen-
about town
tial community. This is within both the West Main and Town Center Future Land Use designations and within walking distance to downtown shopping and entertainment. Burkely’s proposed plan includes a mix of mansion or manor-style apartments fronting West Main Street and three-story apartment buildings toward the rear of the approximately 6.53-acre site. The design of the buildings would be compatible with the Jamestown National Register Historic District in which it is located. They would look like large single-family homes. All parking would be behind these apartment buildings. Attorney Amanda Hodierne is handling the project for both the
sellers and Burkely. She was also the attorney who handled the failed 2021 Diamondback development on Mackay Road, which is now being developed by D.R. Horton, Inc. Hodierne said Burkely Communities has been looking for property in Jamestown “because it’s been a community that matches well and lines up well with their standards as owner-operators for these types of residential communities. Burkely Communities enjoys being a part of Jamestown and they get a lot of requests and feedback for more.” Burkely CEO Sterling Kelly echoed Hodierne’s statement. see rezoning, page 2
Public comments from Nov. 10 Planning Board meeting Compiled By CAROL BROOKS
Everyone likes good news and the Jamestown News wants to print a column focused on sharing good things seen happening in the community. To make the column work, you need to participate. Email ndworddesign@ gmail.com with your observations of a person or group being helpful to others. Norma Dennis will print them on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
The current site plan for development on West Main Street (at top) by Burkely Communities.
Rich Salyards: “I live within 500 feet of the proposed rezoning. I understand the sole decision for rezoning is based on the Envision [Jamestown] Comprehensive Plan from 2021. According to what the staff came up with, the impact analysis, stated that two parts of that parcel are covered under Town Center. According to the Comprehensive Plan, Town Center is nothing more than two stories. We’re talking three stories. “Several people have talked about the traffic impact DOT is going to do. I contacted DOT and got a report back that says the intersection of Potter Drive and Forestdale has 8,960 cars a day past that intersection. Now you are trying to put 138 apartments there, roughly 260 cars, leaving to go to work, coming home, going to grocery store, visitors coming in, deliv-
eries being dropped off — you’re adding another 500 cars a day on an already highly congested road in front of a school. It makes no sense whatsoever. Everybody knows Forestdale and Potter are cut-throughs already. And now you want to dump another 500-600 cars a day on my street? I can’t back out of my driveway without being scared to death. “It’s not the proper place for those apartments. It’s a traffic safety issue. “If you look at the Comprehen-
sive Plan, they did a survey and the number one item is maintain a small-town feel. [Another point was] no/limited to new multifamily housing.” Shawn Rogers, former director of Mendenhall Homeplace, given by Katie Gumerson: “The development must be avoided. It will negatively impact the historic and small-town character of this community. What’s next? Widening Main Street and threatening the existence of Richard Mendenhall’s store or home? What happened to the idea that keeping Jamestown a quiet, quaint village? Actions speak louder than words. What do you have to say to the stakeholders of our community? We are talking about the property within the Jamestown National Register Historic District and the Frazier house contributes to that district.” Greg Pittman: “Think about our
property values. I want to encourage Burkely Communities that Jamestown is special. I love what you’re doing with what I’m calling conscious construction. Just remember it’s special and keep that at the heart of the project, which I think you’ve presented pretty well. “I want to encourage the Board to consider this with full fervor because I can see the benefit as a business owner. The community would benefit from property values. Obviously the tax revenue and the other side benefits for the town would be great.” Erica Holtzman: “Your plan’s really pretty, but if you look at our schools, they’re not so pretty. I was a teacher for 22 years. Florence, Millis Road and Jamestown elementaries have a lot of trailers on them — and they’re falling apart. If [the development] is within walking distance to the school, you’re going to have to have a crosswalk. Where are these see comments, page 2
Thrill of the hunt motivates hobby detectorists Ever since Rodney Joslin received his first metal detector as a child, he has enjoyed metal detecting as a hobby. Today he is president of Old North State Detectorists, a club that focuses on preserving history, including finding Colonial and Civil War artifacts. “My first detector was inexpensive,” Joslin said during his talk “Digging History” at the Jamestown Public Library’s First Thursday History Series on Nov. 6. “Then I met someone with a better detector and saw what could be done with it.” Joslin’s interest in detecting as a hobby continued to grow. In April of 2009, he learned about a new detecting club founded by Dr. William Purkey and decided to join. The club that started with nine members now has about 65. It was established as a non-profit in 2020. “Our club has received several letters of commendation for our work,” Joslin said. “We have helped the City of Lexington with a crime scene, but we are often asked to find lost items, including rings, jewelry and grave markers. We have even been asked to find time capsules at a school. But the things we are most often asked to find are car keys. “I love getting stuff out of the
ground and getting it where it is supposed to be,” he added. “I am very passionate about it.” Most items found when detecting are in the range of three to eight inches under the surface. Club member always receive permission before conducting hunts on private property. “Some property owners do not let us detect on their land and lots of relics are just left to rot away,” Joslin said. “We are not going to a property to find gold,” he added, implying it was history they wanted to uncover. Before a hunt, detectors conduct background studies of the property’s history. They get old aerial views to determine what was on the property years ago. “Research is really a big part of the hobby,” Joslin said. Land originally used for farming often yields an array of farm implements. As someone who has always loved history, it is historic finds that excite Joslin the most. Some finds include a whistle that was used to blow for a charge to battle or to tell troops what to do, and a wax seal fob used to seal envelops, presumed to be from a politician’s family. “Detectors find more [old] spoons than knives and forks,” Joslin said. “I wonder if little boys liked to go outside and dig with spoons.” Joslin has found an old finial
Interested in detecting?
Old North State Detectorists is an active metal detecting club with monthly meetings and club-sponsored events. Members include all ages whose level of experience varies from none to very seasoned. They welcome guests who would like to attend a meeting and observe a hunt, but they must be a current member to actively participate. Visit the group’s website at http:// onsdclub.com/ to learn more about the club and how to join. (ornament) from the top of a flagstaff, artillery buttons from uniforms and a Texas uniform button. He estimates founding 300 or 400 Civil War bullets. “I never sell anything I find,” Joslin said. “I only traded one thing and have regretted it ever since.” D.R. Horton, Inc., gave the ONSD club permission to search the property they purchased from the Johnson family along Mackay and Guilford College roads. The group found an array of buckles, leading members to determine they might have been made on the property. Other finds included a 1989 Ragsdale High School class ring, which they were able to return to its owner. The club also found a few relics at Mendenhall Homeplace following a hunt there. Although Joslin often prefers books to help identify objects he
Photos by George Taylor
(Above) Rodney Joslin explains the intricacies of how a metal detector works. (Left column) A few historic objects found when detecting. (Top left) Uniform button. (Middle left) Finial from the top of a war flagstaff. (Bottom left) Old spurs did not spin as they do in the movies, which explains why some points are worn more than others. finds, he admits to recently utilizing the Internet to help with identifications. “The internet helps with research, but it is only so useful,” he said. “Books have not lost their place.” Knowing where to look and how to recognize what you find are important, but Joslin noted finding something takes a certain skill. He admits that hearing is an important
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part of detecting since different metals give different sounds. A code of ethics also plays at big part. “When we leave a spot, you will never know we have been there,” Joslin said. It is safe to say that the excitement of a unique find is what keeps Joslin looking. “I would go anywhere I have permission to detect,” he said.
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