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Planning board backs rezoning for 102 Park Drive, citing access and mixed-use precedent
Summary
The board recommended approval of a rezoning application (PB23358) to change a 3.72-acre parcel at 102 Park Drive from residential to C-2 (highway commercial). The applicant said C-2 zoning provides greater flexibility for office and commercial uses that better fit access constraints and DOT widening plans; the board voted to recommend approval.
The Town of Pittsboro Planning Board on Monday recommended approval of a map amendment to rezone a 3.72-acre parcel at 102 Park Drive from residential to C-2 (highway commercial), concluding the parcel’s access constraints and proximity to a mixed-use activity center make commercial zoning appropriate.
Jan Nichols, representing the applicant BRC Limited, told the board the parcel sits adjacent to the existing Alpha Center and that topography and an environmental stream feature along Park Drive limit direct access from Park Drive. Nichols said commercial access from the Alpha Center’s existing entry off N.C. 15501 (Hillsborough Street) is a more environmentally responsible option than attempting a new stream crossing from Park Drive.
"Our preference and the more environmentally responsible option is to preserve existing vegetation along Park Drive and allow C-2 access from the Alpha Center," Nichols said, noting NCDOT plans to widen 15501 and that the property owner has coordinated easements for the corridor.
Planning staff noted the proposed change does not match the town’s adopted future land-use map (the parcel is shown as residential on the plan) and that the board may choose to recommend an amendment to the land-use map. Staff also warned the parcel contains floodplain and wetlands along the southern and eastern edges that limit development.
Board members asked whether a conditional rezoning (which could limit permitted uses) would be preferable; applicant representatives said they intended to keep the parcel with unified ownership and coordinated access so future development could use the existing Alpha Center entry rather than create new access points.
On a motion by Matt Hayes, seconded by Elfria Alston, the planning board voted to recommend approval of PB23358 (102 Park Drive) to the board of commissioners. The board’s recommendation was recorded by a voice/hand-count vote.
