Huntersville board approves general rezoning for two downtown parcels after heated public debate

The Huntersville Town Board voted to approve petition R24-09, a general rezoning request that changes two parcels at 115 and 117 Gilead Road from Neighborhood Residential to Town Center, following public comment that ranged from strong opposition to support for the two businesses named in the application.

The 4-3 vote came after more than an hour of public comment and board discussion. The rezoning will permit a broader range of uses on the two properties and was described by staff as consistent with the town’s long-range plans.

Residents who spoke during public comment urged denial, arguing general rezoning removes local controls. Frank Gammon, a Huntersville resident, told the board, “I urge you to deny R24-09 Town Center general rezoning because it is not in the interest of the people of Huntersville,” and warned the change would “establish a slippery precedent.” Lee Hallman, another resident, criticized the lack of project details: “It needs to have merit, and we can’t tell if it does or not without seeing it,” and said general rezoning circumvents the incremental,…