Commissioners approve rezoning on Division Drive to align industrial uses

The Fuquay Varina Board of Commissioners on Monday approved a zoning map amendment that rezones two parcels on Division Drive from heavy industrial to research light industrial conditional zoning to match nearby property and existing tenants.

Planning Director Pamela Davison told the board the parcels were originally zoned heavy industrial and developed as flex space; recent updates to permitted-use tables made some types of public-facing retail and assembly less appropriate in heavy industrial zones. "This requested industrial zoning adjustment to research light industrial will shift the property into the correct zoning classification to support the continued use of the properties as flex space and bring the properties into alignment with their immediate neighbors," Davison said. The planning board unanimously recommended approval on Dec. 16, 2024.

Blaine Malden of Malden Watkins Survey, representing the applicant, said the rezoning simply reflects the existing pattern of uses and the broader, long-running change in the area away from heavy commercial. "We put this rezoning petition together... to rezone to the same type of zoning it is in as in the area so that the uses that are located in the buildings now will be more in line with the town ordinance," Malden said.

After the public hearing closed with no opposition, a commissioner moved approval. The motion carried by voice vote.

The change allows tenants already operating in the buildings to remain consistent with the town's current land-use framework and eases future tenant transitions by aligning zoning to observed uses.