Cherokee County planning bodies recommend approval to rezone longstanding chiropractic office to neighborhood commercial

The Cherokee County Planning Commission and County Commission at a joint public hearing recommended approval of Case 2506016, a rezoning request to change 0.685 acres at 5461 Bells Ferry Road from RM10 (residential multifamily) to neighborhood commercial to allow continued use as a chiropractic office.

Staff described the request as primarily administrative: the current building and parking are already in place and the applicant seeks zoning that matches existing use and enables future marketing. The application included two concurrent variance requests: elimination of a required 30-foot undisturbed zoning buffer and reduction of the side building setback from 15 feet to 8 feet. County staff noted the building already sits about 8 feet from the side property line and the request would make the site conforming under current ordinances while permitting future neighborhood-serving commercial uses.

Dr. Kelly, the property owner and applicant, told the commissioners, “I’ve owned that property since 1984. It has been a chiropractic office since May of 1980.” No members of the public spoke in opposition or support during the public-comment portion.

Commission discussion noted the practical hardship in moving the existing building. A motion to recommend approval of NC zoning and the two variances was made and seconded; commissioners voted to recommend approval and the motion passed.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded as part of the formal record; final permitting and any conditions will depend on subsequent review and approvals required by county planning staff and building officials.

Votes at the hearing: the commission made a recommendation to approve the NC rezoning and the two variances; the motion carried (motion announced as passed by the chair).