After weeks of debate and fines, Hildebran grants Bradshaw's Train Services a zoning permit

After weeks of back-and-forth between the Town of Hildebran and Bradshaw’s Train Services, the town announced Wednesday it would grant the company a zoning permit “this week.”

The Town of Hildebran informed Cody Bradshaw of Bradshaw’s Train Services in June that his operations were not in compliance with the town’s zoning ordinance.

Bradshaw’s operations center on partnering with Innovative Bridge Company to craft bridges out of the flat, bottom pieces of train cars to replace bridges knocked out by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. Bradshaw said he bought the 500 U.S. Hwy. 70 E property in Hildebran partly because of its closeness to towns impacted by Helene.

In a July 23 statement, the Town of Hildebran said Bradshaw was offered the chance to get a zoning permit if he enclosed the “scrapping portion of (the company’s) operations in a structure.” The town said Bradshaw declined the offer.

Bradshaw said he never received the offer. He also said he does not consider that aspect of his company’s operations as scrapping, but rather storage of leftover parts, such as wheels.

“It’ll be recycled (to) make new wheels,” Bradshaw said. “They see all that laying there and they’re thinking it’s going to be, like, turned into actual scrapyards, but … if it’s a 36-inch wheel, they will machine it down to a 30-inch or 33-inch. Then they’ll put them on new axles and they go right back in service.”

Regarding how long the parts sit on the property, Bradshaw said, “It depends on when they’re ready for them.” Bradshaw said the parts are sent to Florida for repurposing. Two piles of parts are visible from Highway 70.

Hildebran said in its July 23 press release that the town, in an attempt to be flexible, also offered Bradshaw an 18-month temporary use permit that would allow the company to continue its operations without requiring a structure. The town said Bradshaw declined the offer.

Bradshaw said a temporary permit would not be satisfactory. The problems Western North Carolina towns continue to face are long-term and require a long-term solution, he said.

Bradshaw didn’t apply for a zoning permit until the business was already operating—and only then at the request of town officials, according to the town’s July 23 statement. The permit application was incomplete, according to the town, and “did not state any use which would be permissible within town zoning, nor did it include a site plan.”

Bradshaw said he continued operations throughout discussions with Hildebran. He said he was fined “$50 a day, seven days a week,” which Bradshaw said he paid.

The Town of Hildebran said in an Aug. 6 press release that it is “waiving all fines related to operating without a permit.”

In the same press release, the town said: “The town planner recently finished reviewing the owner’s updated site plan for compliance. The plan included necessary elements such as landscaping, a 20-foot-wide continuous evergreen buffer around the property, paved parking, a paved entrance according to NCDOT standards, and fencing. A permit will be issued this week.”

The press release stated Hildebran officials were pleased to see the property enhancements on the site plan.

“We believe the owners are truly invested in the beautification of the property and enhancing the quality of life of both residents and visitors alike. We believe the work related to Helene recovery efforts are vital to restoring those (affected) by the storm. The company ensured us they are committed to recovery efforts as well as beautifying our community.”

Bradshaw could not be reached for comment after the town said it would issue a permit.