Planning board backs convenience store rezoning with conditions to preserve future connectivity

Planning board members on Sept. 23 recommended approval of a conditional rezoning for RU-25-11 (Lehi Creek Retail), a proposed convenience store and fuel/convenience development at the Mount Holly–Huntersville Road and Beatty’s Ford Road corner, with conditions addressing sidewalk completion, retaining-wall modification and future connectivity. The board said the site fits the town’s LU 5.1 land-use policy and that the project provides transportation and commercial benefits for the area.

The recommendation matters because the parcel has steep grades and a history of related approvals dating to 2008, and the board’s conditions aim to prevent the new project from precluding development of the adjoining parcel to the north. Staff had recommended against the rezoning as submitted because the plan would reduce required buffers and create grading/connection challenges for the parcel to the north.

Board members and staff described a difficult topography on…