Iredell commissioners approve rezoning for 1.64-acre site at LaRue Circle and Old Mountain Road

The Iredell County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a zoning map amendment to rezone approximately 1.64 acres at the corner of LaRue Circle and Old Mountain Road to a neighborhood business district, a change supporters said fits the county's 2045 Horizon Plan corridor commercial designation.

County planning staff presented the request, saying the property is adjacent to existing general business zoning and would create a transition zone between commercial uses and a nearby residential area. "The requested district creates a desirable transition zone between the residential area," a planning staff presenter told the board.

Commissioners were told planning staff and the planning board support the rezoning and that no public opposition had been received during the advertising period. The board opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers signed up.

Commissioner Brent Howe moved to approve the zoning map amendment, saying the action is consistent with the 2045 Horizon Plan and reasonable and in the public interest because the parcel lies within the corridor commercial designation and is surrounded by commercial uses. The motion passed on a voice vote.

County staff said a full site plan, including buffers and landscaping, will be reviewed if the rezoning is approved. The applicant, identified in the public hearing notice as Mr. Yu of AZ Auto Repair LLC, indicated the immediate proposal is for an auto repair use, though the neighborhood business district allows other commercial activities.

The board did not record a roll-call vote; the motion passed after the chair called for ayes and none opposed. No timeline for building permits or site-plan submittal was provided during the hearing.