Neighbors protest commercial rezoning; commission approves conversion of two residences to office use east of Giles Street

The County Commission approved a zone change and waivers to reclassify 1.03 acres from RS‑20 to CP (commercial professional) for conversion of two residential buildings to office use east of Giles Street and north of Ford Avenue in Enterprise, despite public opposition.

Applicant representative Susan Florian said the land use is neighborhood commercial and the applicant intends to retain the existing buildings, converting them to office space and adding parking and a two‑story garage. The design, she said, seeks to preserve the neighborhood aesthetic while providing workspace for a few employees.

Resident Ernesto McCombs, who lives at 8715 Haven (corner of Ford and Haven), said he and multiple neighbors attended the town advisory meeting and opposed the rezoning, arguing the area is rural residential, already experiencing encroachment from prior approvals, and that a two‑story parking garage and other variances do not fit the character of the neighborhood.

Commissioner Naft noted the site is on a planned commercial alignment and said the conversion to low‑intensity office use is less impactful than many potential alternatives; he added a caution that Fire Prevention would weigh in on final design. Naft included a motion condition requiring that egress onto Ford be one‑way. The motion passed.

The record shows town advisory board comment and at least five speakers at that advisory hearing; one resident spoke during the county hearing in opposition. The applicant must coordinate further with Fire Prevention and Public Works to finalize access, parking and building permits before occupancy.