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Cherokee County delays decision on rezoning, storage permit request at 624 North Rope Mill Road
Summary
The county planning commission held a public hearing on a request to rezone 624 North Rope Mill Road from R-40 to light industrial for RV/commercial parking and a special use permit for non–climate-controlled storage. Staff noted interjurisdictional concerns; the commission voted to postpone a recommendation pending input from Woodstock.
August 2025 — Cherokee County planning staff and the planning commission on Wednesday opened a public hearing on an application to rezone 624 North Rope Mill Road (District 3) from R-40 to light industrial to allow RV and commercial parking and to seek a special use permit for non–climate-controlled storage.
The request also includes multiple variances: reducing an undisturbed buffer adjacent to I‑575 from 75 feet to 25 feet; allowing tree canopy within stream and zoning buffers to count 100% toward site density instead of the 50% typical under county tree standards; eliminating required deceleration lanes at proposed driveways; reducing the front setback along Northrop Mill Road from 50 feet to 10 feet; allowing the storage facility to be only partially enclosed (not a continuous 6‑foot privacy fence); and permitting an existing house and gravel driveway to remain within what would otherwise be a 50‑foot undisturbed zoning buffer if rezoned.
County staff said the property lies within the Wildcat character area and inside the growth boundaries of Holly Springs and Woodstock. Staff noted the Wildcat plan favors office campuses and mixed‑use development and that new county rules adopted since 2023 now require a special use permit and screening for self‑storage uses. Staff also said Cherokee County Transportation recommended that, because the area is being planned for future redevelopment under the Wildcat/Sixes area plan, transportation did not require deceleration lanes at this time. Cherokee County Water and Sewer indicated an 8‑inch water line is available on the property.
Thomas, county planning staff, told commissioners that the City of Holly Springs reviewed the case at its Aug. 4, 2025, meeting and voted 4–0 to recommend denial; Woodstock had not submitted comments at the time of the hearing. Staff recommended the commission hold the public hearing and consider postponing a decision until the county had received Woodstock’s input to satisfy the growth‑boundary coordination process.
The applicant, Mary Ann Roberts Stone, told the commission the request is intended as an interim use while long‑er plans tied to the Wildcat area plan and roadway improvements are many years away. Roberts Stone said the applicant intends to use the existing house on the property as a base for a landscaping business (she said the family operates Treemaster/Landmaster) and to park commercial vehicles; she added the non‑climate‑controlled storage element would involve portable Connex containers and that the use would be temporary and not preclude future development.
No members of the public spoke in support or opposition during the public comment period. After discussion, Commissioner Bullock moved and Commissioner Tressler seconded a motion to table the commission’s recommendation and continue the decision to the commission’s September meeting to allow Woodstock time to comment. The motion carried after an aye/no voice vote. Staff said the Board of Commissioners could consider the case as early as Sept. 16, 2025, depending on scheduling.
The planning commission’s record will reflect the public hearing and the postponement; commissioners did not take final action on the rezoning, special use permit, or related variances at the August hearing.
