Selma Planning Board Vice Chair Removed; Mayor Cites Unsafe Church Construction

SELMA – The vice chair of the Selma Planning Board was removed from office November 10, two weeks after making a motion to delay consideration of a proposed data center. Mayor Byron McAllister says the removal was prompted by her involvement with an unpermitted and unsafe construction project at a local church.

Shaundrelle Watson was removed from the Planning Board by the Selma Town Council at McAllister’s recommendation.

Watson questions the timing of her removal, pointing out that McAllister emailed her just four days after she made a motion to table the Project Volt data center application. She said she had not previously been made aware of any concerns about her service on the Planning Board.

McAllister, however, said the decision involved Watson’s position with Powerhouse of Prayer Apostolic Church at 200 S. Massey Street, where Johnston County inspectors documented construction of an addition without the required permits.

“Ms. Shaundrelle Watson was removed from our Selma Planning Board due to poor judgement concerning a building project that she is attached to with Powerhouse of Prayer Apostolic Church,” McAllister said in a statement to JoCoReport.

“Leaders of organizations that do not comply with basic planning and zoning laws in our community cannot be members of our Planning Board.”

Inspection Revealed Unsafe Construction

According to Mayor McAllister, the town was notified September 8 about an unpermitted structure being constructed at the church. A stop-work order was issued September 11.

A September 17 report from Johnston County Inspections obtained by Johnston County Report provides additional details about the investigation.

The report states that code enforcement officers conducted an inspection September 11 after receiving complaints about construction at the church.

Inspectors found an approximately 20-by-30-foot addition being built onto the rear of the church without the necessary permits.

An unidentified worker was reportedly performing construction when inspectors arrived. According to the report, the worker stopped and began packing up his equipment.

The report identifies Watson as a representative of the church who spoke with inspectors at the property.

Watson reportedly told inspectors the addition was intended for storage and said she was unaware of the permitting requirements.

Inspectors advised her that the work required both town zoning approval and a county building permit.

The report also identified serious structural concerns, including walls without proper foundation footings that were resting directly on the existing asphalt surface.

A stop-work order was posted September 11, and a follow-up inspection September 14 found that construction had stopped, but the structural concerns remained.

An unsafe-structure notice was subsequently posted on the addition. The inspection report stated the matter remained open pending demolition of the unpermitted structure and proper permitting for any future development.

“The unsafe structure that has been erected at Powerhouse of Prayer Apostolic Church, where adults and children regularly spend time, still remains on the property,” the mayor said.

The inspection report documents Watson’s presence at the property and her discussion with inspectors. It does not identify who authorized the construction or who was responsible for hiring the workers.

Watson Questions Timing Of Removal

Watson, a lifelong Selma resident, said she serves on the church’s board of trustees and had volunteered to help with paperwork involving an approximately $20,000 remodeling project.

She said her name appeared on the permit application because she was serving as a contact person for the church.

“The permit he was referencing was filed by my church, I was listed as a point of contact. If there was a concern I’m not sure why it was not addressed until after the data center vote,” Watson said.

Watson said she was appointed to the Planning Board approximately two years ago and eventually became vice chair. She said she was unaware of any previous complaints concerning her service.

On October 26, the Planning Board considered Project Volt, a proposed 177,000-square-foot data center on Noble Street near Eason Lane.

The proposal came just weeks after the Town Council adopted new regulations governing data centers.

During the meeting, Planning Board members raised questions about the application and requested additional information before making a recommendation to the Town Council.

Watson made the motion to table the application until the November meeting. Her motion was approved.

“Their application was not complete and as a result I made the motion that we table to advance to the town council,” Watson said.

Four days later, on October 30, Mayor McAllister emailed Watson informing her that he planned to recommend her removal.

“While I appreciate your efforts on the Planning Board, I do not believe your membership on the board has produced the appropriate results for our community,” McAllister wrote.

The mayor said the Town Council would make the final decision concerning her continued service. He also offered Watson an opportunity to resign before the November 5 council meeting, in which case he would not recommend her removal.

Watson did not resign.

Although the email referenced November 5, the Town Council did not remove Watson until November 10, while she was attending the council meeting.

McAllister’s October 30 email did not specifically mention the church construction or the data center application.

The county’s inspection report, however, shows the church construction concerns had been documented more than a month before the October 26 Planning Board meeting.

Watson said she cannot say whether her motion involving the data center played any role in the mayor’s recommendation, but she believes questions remain about the circumstances.

“I don’t know. In the email it stated that my membership did not yield the appropriate results. I feel like there are a lot of unanswered questions,” Watson said.

Residents Pack Council Chambers Over Data Center

Watson’s removal occurred during a November 10 council meeting attended by a large crowd of residents concerned about the proposed Project Volt data center.

The council chambers were packed, with numerous residents expressing opposition to the development.

Seven people signed up to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting, including Watson.

Watson did not specifically state whether she supported or opposed the proposed data center. Instead, she told elected officials they have a responsibility to listen to residents and make decisions reflecting the wishes of the majority.

Other speakers were more direct in their opposition.

Gracie Chamblee, who unsuccessfully sought a seat on the Johnston County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors in the November 3 election, questioned how the data center would benefit Selma.

Chamblee raised concerns about water consumption, the additional demand on the electrical grid and possible chemical pollutants.

Kimberly Freeman said residents deserve clear answers and a transparent assessment of the project’s potential impacts. She also questioned whether the development could affect utility bills for existing customers.

Cheryl Harrington expressed concerns about the environment, noise pollution and the potential need for future infrastructure improvements. She questioned whether the cost of those improvements would be paid by the data center operator or passed along to residents.

Clare Groves played an audio recording she described as the sound of a data center. She claimed the noise could be heard up to a mile away.

“We do not want it in our back yard,” Groves told the council.

McAllister questioned Groves about whether she knew where the proposed data center would be located. Groves responded that she did.

The actual noise levels and potential effects of the proposed Selma facility have not been established.

According to the Project Volt application, the developer would pay for electrical infrastructure needed to serve the proposed facility and a reclaimed-water system for cooling.

Selma’s recently adopted data center regulations also include requirements addressing electricity demand, water use, noise and other impacts.

The Planning Board has not made a recommendation on Project Volt. The Town Council will have final authority over the requested conditional rezoning and special use permit.

Watson Does Not Rule Out Future In Government

Watson said her decision to delay the application was based on the need for additional information before the Planning Board could make an informed recommendation.

“I think there needs to be significant research done on the impacts on our community. There are many unanswered questions and that’s why many communities have decided to do a moratorium to do research before a decision is made,” she said.

Watson said she supports economic development but believes new projects should be carefully evaluated to determine their long-term effects on residents.

“I love this community. I want what is best for the citizens. I want to be a voice for them. I love economic growth but I want responsible growth,” she said.

Despite her removal, Watson said she enjoyed serving on the Planning Board.

She has not ruled out becoming involved in local government again, including the possibility of running for elected office in Selma.

The Planning Board is scheduled to reconsider the Project Volt application at its November 23 meeting. The application could be considered by the Town Board as early as their Dec. 8 meeting.