By Bobby Tingle

Bobby.Tingle@orangeleader.com

PINEHURST — The city of Pinehurst is continuing to move forward with changes to encourage growth.

“We want the City of Pinehurst up to date and progressive” City Administrator of Pinehurst Robbie Hood said.

To accomplish that goal he proposed establishment of a planning and zoning commission board to be composed of seven board members. The purpose of the board and their emphasis will be planning. There is no intention of enacting zoning regulations or requirements. The new board will act in an advisory capacity to city council.

Hood proposed the possibility of this board to council to begin the process. This action will require creation and passage of an ordinance by the board to establish it.

If established, the new board will look at plats and make ordinance recommendations for council to consider. The goal is to encourage growth and development. Hood made this recommendation at a recent council meeting.

Hood also reported on several other projects.

Pinehurst contributed to a feasibility study of a 25 bed hospital. New Light Hospital is looking at locations along Interstate 10 at the intersection of State Highway 62 or Farm to Market Road 1442.

Representatives from this area met with Texas Department of Transportation recently seeking additional lighting along McArthur Drive.

Local officials feel more lighting will enhance pedestrian safety.

The Pinehurst Volunteer Fire Department elected Shon Branham as Fire Chief and Mike Mosley as Assistant Fire Chief recently. The Pinehurst City Council affirmed those appointments by the department.