In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a proposal to rezone a 3.1-acre property located on the western side of NC 11 North, just north of its intersection with State Mill Road. The property, identified as parcel number 07946, is currently zoned as rural residential and the owner seeks to change it to a general commercial conditional district. This change would permit the operation of appliance and general merchandise sales.

The property has a history of being used for personal storage, with an existing warehouse structure predating the zoning regulations established in 2003. The new ownership was unaware that a rezoning process was necessary to operate a commercial business on the site. The area surrounding the property is predominantly rural and agricultural, with limited residential development nearby.

The Pitt County Planning staff has indicated that the request aligns with the Envision Pitt County 2045 comprehensive land use plan, which designates the area as suburban residential. This designation typically accommodates single-family homes and limited commercial uses, particularly along major thoroughfares like NC 11 North.

Planning staff recommended approval of the rezoning request, contingent upon several conditions aimed at ensuring compatibility with neighboring properties. These include the requirement for a landscaping plan, a buffer yard to screen the property from adjacent residential areas, and compliance with various environmental and safety regulations.

Public comments on the proposal will be taken into account, with a public hearing scheduled for November 18th at 6 PM, where the planning board will make a recommendation to the county commissioners. The applicant was present at the meeting but did not initially sign up to speak, indicating a willingness to address any questions from the board.