In all likelihood, the Burke County Board of Commissioners will approve conditional zoning for the proposed Great Meadows industrial megasite at its next meeting Sept. 17. The extensive list of stringent conditions proposed by prominent conservation organizations like Foothills Conservancy, Catawba Riverkeeper, and Lake James Environmental Association have played a pivotal role in shaping the site plan and fostering a collaborative effort between stakeholders, including the county and developers. 

Burke residents will have the opportunity to decide on a quarter-cent sales tax through a referendum on Nov. 5. The local-option tax, known as Article 46, aims to generate additional revenue to potentially lower property taxes by up to 3%.