Council holds first reading on rezoning request for 715 North Eighth Street

The Easly City Council held the first reading of Ordinance 2025-07, a request to rezone about 0.844 acres at 715 North Eighth Street from neighborhood commercial to residential R-7.5 zoning.

City staff displayed the parcel and identified the address as 715 North Eighth Street. Council discussion noted that the property had been zoned neighborhood commercial for many years and that the current ownership history included a recent sale to someone who intends to market the site for residential subdivision. A council speaker described the owner’s rationale: because the property had not sold under commercial zoning, the new owner seeks residential zoning to facilitate sale as subdivided lots.

A council member asked whether the Planning Commission had recommended denial; staff confirmed the commission recommended denial by a majority vote. Council members discussed possible design issues, including limiting driveway entrances and the existence of a mapped alley on the north side of the property. Staff said the alley appears on the plat and could be claimed or used but that any such claim does not affect the council’s immediate decision on first reading.

Speakers noted the parcel is adjacent to two medical practices and discussed whether four lots could be created within 0.844 acres; council staff indicated a four-lot subdivision was possible under the proposed zoning.

This action was recorded only as a first reading; council did not take final action during the session. The ordinance requires a second and final reading before any rezoning would take effect. Staff indicated clarifications requested by council (driveway access and plat exhibits) would be addressed before second reading.