Commissioners approve rezoning for 4.5-acre Lake James parcel to allow family lot split

The Board of Commissioners voted 5–0 on July 21 to approve a zoning-map amendment that rezoned a 4.5-acre parcel at 3594 North Powerhouse Road from Conservation to Residential-1 (R-1). Alan Gines, planning director, said applicants Brian and Marissa Deacon requested the rezoning so they could divide the parcel to create one additional single-family lot for a family member. “The applicants have stated that they would like to divide that property so they can create one additional lot and then have that for a single family home for a family member,” Gines told the board.Gines said the Conservation zoning district requires a three-acre minimum, which would prevent the proposed split if the land remained conserved; R-1 would restrict the use to residential only. He also explained that lakefront buffer standards — a mostly undisturbed first 50 feet and limited disturbance in the next 50 feet — apply to all lakeshore parcels regardless of whether the zoning district is Conservation or R-1. The county’s planning board had unanimously recommended approval before the hearing. No members of the public spoke on the item during the hearing. A motion to adopt Ordinance ZMA‑2025‑04 (as read by the clerk) passed by roll-call indicated uplifted hands, recorded as 5–0 in favor.