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One of the greatest coaches in N.C. history is heading to Marvin Ridge High School to coach one of the best volleyball programs of the moment.

Longtime Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools coach Zoe Bell, currently working at Ardrey Kell High in south Charlotte, told The Observer that she had accepted the position of head volleyball coach at the Union County school.

Bell plans to finish out the year at Ardrey Kell, while beginning to work with the players at Marvin Ridge in the spring.

At Marvin Ridge, she replaces Brooke Hammers, who announced she was moving to Florida after leading the Mavericks to their second state championship in November. Marvin Ridge also won a state championship in 2018. The Mavericks were state runner-up in 2024.

“I’m coming and I’m committed,” Bell said. “And I’m going to work hard and there will be change. I respect Brooke tremendously. We communicated at least weekly during the year, and I would pick her brain. I’m not going in there to try to outdo her. I’m here to maintain and, at the same time, to put the Zoe Bell touch on it.”

In November, The Observer named Bell one of the top 10 coaches — in any boys’ or girls’ sport — from the past 25 years. She started coaching in CMS in 1983, and worked 17 years at Providence and is in her 17th school year at Ardrey Kell.

In a 36-year career as a head coach, Bell is 809-218 with 19 conference championships, 17 regular-season conference titles, eight regional championships and five state titles.

At Marvin Ridge, Bell takes over a team that is 66-6 over the past two years. The Mavericks have had 17 straight winning seasons.

Marvin Ridge had 13 underclassmen on its state championship roster, which could give Bell an immediate collection of talent to build her program with.

“I love the girls at Ardrey Kell,” Bell said. “But at the same time, I don’t have that many more years in it, and this is another challenge for me. Can I maintain it? Can I make it stay on the top?”

Bell briefly coached at Charlotte Latin, taking over an established program, but she’s basically had to build teams from scratch at Providence and Ardrey Kell.

Now she’s set to take over one of the top programs in the Carolinas.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” Bell said. “That’s a challenge for me. I’m not going to tell you that it’s not a little scary, because it is. But it’s something I’m ready for. I’m up to the challenge. I’m ready.”

The village cites safety concerns as the property owner appeals zoning violation through Union County courts.

MARVIN, N.C. — A fence installed by a homeowner along Pacer Lane in Marvin is blocking through traffic and forcing neighbors to detour, sparking a legal dispute that has reached Union County Superior Court.

The fence, which prevents vehicles from passing through what residents consider a main entrance to one of the community's most-traveled roads, has drawn mixed reactions from neighbors who acknowledge both the inconvenience and some unexpected benefits.

John Spain, who lives in the neighborhood, said the homeowner warned residents before installing the fence.

"A little mixed reaction on it, didn't like the fact that the road was going to be blocked and we'd have to go around the block to get out if we went that direction," Spain said.

However, Spain noted the fence has reduced traffic volume and speeding on the street.

"On the flip side, it's reduced the traffic on the street, which has been a big plus," Spain said. "The cars that were traveling up and down the road were exceeding the neighborhood speed limit, and that was kind of a concern."

According to a press release issued Thursday by the Village of Marvin, the village's Zoning Administrator issued a violation notice citing noncompliance with the Marvin Development Ordinance. The property owner appealed the decision to the Board of Adjustment, which upheld the Zoning Administrator's findings. The property owner then appealed the Board's decision to the Union County Superior Court.

"The Village of Marvin recognizes the ongoing concerns raised by residents regarding the obstruction installed along Pacer Lane and the resulting impacts on access and neighborhood circulation," Village Manager Christina Amos said in the statement.

Village officials say the fence raises safety issues, particularly regarding emergency vehicle access. Those concerns are being addressed separately at the county level, where additional legal proceedings remain in progress.

Because the case is under appeal, village officials say they cannot intervene further while the legal process plays out.

"While administrative determinations have already been made, those decisions are currently subject to the appeals process," the village statement said. "Accordingly, the Village, its Council, and its staff must allow the courts to resolve the case and will not intervene while the appeal remains active."

The village said it continues to participate in all related proceedings and remains committed to defending the decisions made through its code-enforcement procedures. A hearing pertaining to the village's portion of the case is scheduled in the coming weeks.

Spain acknowledged the potential safety concerns, particularly in emergency situations.

"In some cases, it could be a concern," he said.

Spain said he hopes village leaders and the homeowner can reach a compromise that addresses both traffic concerns and road safety.

"I would imagine that the next alternative would be probably putting speed bumps in to reduce the speed of the traffic and ultimately reduce the amount of cars that come through the neighborhood, cutting through," Spain said.

Village officials say they expect more direction from the courts following the upcoming hearing.