Recently a lawsuit was filed against Defense Government Contracting International (“DGCI,” a for-profit Washington, D.C., company) and Scotland County, because the county is going to let DGCI build a tactical training facility at 34300 Aberdeen Rd, without any input from any Scotland County Residents. The county is letting DGCI and its lawyers rewrite Scotland County zoning laws and is rushing to pass them in the middle of the pandemic, while no one is watching.

Now, with the proposed zoning changes, the quietness and peacefulness or the sandhills community, all of Scotland County which is so hard to create is at risk. And our quality of life is at risk too. But the impacts of this change are much broader than any singular property and this one project. The proposed changes to local zoning laws mean all Scotland County residents will be stripped of their rights to due process and the ability to be heard in similar cases in the future.

Scotland County officials are going to great lengths to swiftly pass these changes and silence voter voices for the benefit of one company. A few weeks ago, over 20 residents virtually attended the Scotland County Planning & Zoning Board meeting. However, we were silenced when we tried to speak. The county attorney and board chair turned their backs and walked out while citizens were trying to express concerns after not being allowed to speak.

To make matters worse, the online broadcast was inaudible and there was no way for the assembled public to express their concerns. Given this, the Planning & Zoning Board re-considered the issue at their meeting on Aug. 19 and still failed the residents of Scotland County by passing a zoning changed that removes the Conditional Use Permit process. This process is one of the only ways for residents to voice their concerns. The fix is simple. Any facility in Scotland County being used for “tactical” or “combat” training should require a Conditional Use Permit, where neighbors have an opportunity to present evidence to the County Commission about how automatic weapons fire and explosions will affect their life, livelihood and property values.

To top it off, the lead and chemicals from explosive materials and weapons could seep into the ground and travel through the air and water to affect neighbors. That’s why other North Carolina counties don’t allow what Scotland County is proposing without input from affected property owners—in the form of a Conditional Use Permit. Cumberland County confronted this issue and has real regulations that protect the environment and property rights.

I hope you will join me in calling on County Commissioners to oppose DGCI’s proposed zoning text change and to consider alternate, improved versions of this text change submitted by the public. While questions remain about why the county is willing to bend over backward for DGCI at the expense of Scotland County residents, it is important our perspective is considered. The commission needs to allow public input, not let a multimillion-dollar out-of-state corporation take away our rights.