Commissioners approve Buxton rezoning to allow auto services, storage expansion

The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on April 16 to approve a zoning map amendment requested by property owners William S. Quidley and John Canning to rezone three parcels along N.C. 12 in Buxton from R-3 (high-density residential) to C-3 (commercial).

County planning staff described the request as consistent with an adjacent, earlier-approved rezoning for nearby parcels owned by the same applicant. County staff said the change would allow Mr. Canning to expand an existing mini-storage business onto an adjacent parcel and would allow Mr. Quidley to explore siting an automotive repair facility — a service county staff and commissioners said is in short supply on Hatteras Island.

No members of the public spoke during the public hearing portion of the item. Commissioner Ballance, who said he was familiar with the property and owners, moved to approve the amendment and noted the rezoning “makes a lot of sense” given island needs. Vice Chair House seconded the motion, and the board approved the amendment by unanimous voice vote.

Why it matters: The rezoning enables commercial development that county staff and commissioners said could provide services that are currently limited on Hatteras Island, including vehicle repair and expanded storage. The change also links the parcel to existing adjacent commercial zoning.

What’s next: The property owners may pursue site development and permitting consistent with C-3 zoning and other county requirements; any specific building permits or conditional use approvals would follow the standard review process.