Council grants special-use permits for tattoo suite and Carter Lumber, one application withdrawn

Goldsboro City Council on April 7 granted two special‑use permits following staff presentations and applicant remarks, and recorded a withdrawal of a third application.

Planning staff described the first case as special‑use permit SU2024 for Jupiter Blue, a salon and gallery at 1210 Parkway Drive where one tenant would operate a tattoo suite. Planner Kenny Talton told council the property is in the General Business zoning district and recommended approval after reviewing the four quasi‑judicial findings required for special‑use permits. The applicant, Mary Medlin, told the council she will operate from a single suite inside the existing Jupiter Blue business and said the hours would be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; no members of the public requested to speak during the hearing. Councilors voted to approve all required findings and pass the permit.

The second hearing addressed SU03/2025, a request from Carter Lumber Company to operate a lumber and building‑materials sales and storage operation at 3715 Central Heights Road, a property with an existing 60,000‑square‑foot building and an accessory outbuilding. Charles R. Price, vice president with Carter Lumber, said the company plans retail sales, contractor services and delivery; he estimated roughly 20 new jobs tied to the operation. Staff said the Unified Development Ordinance requires conditions for outside storage, including screening and fencing, and noted that if approved the project will still require site plan review and building permits before occupancy. Planning staff also reported that an NCDOT representative did not require additional road improvements for the driveway and that the site has existing landscaping and screening. After public comment from a property agent in support, council answered the four findings in the affirmative and approved the special‑use permit; staff will follow with site‑plan review and permitting.

A different application that had been on the hearing calendar was withdrawn by the applicant. Planning staff recorded the applicant’s verbal withdrawal and told council the petitioner said she would supply a written withdrawal; staff noted that if the applicant re‑files, the process will start again.

Why it matters

Special‑use permits allow uses that are not by‑right in a zoning district but may be permitted when the council finds they will not endanger public health, injure adjoining property, be out of harmony with surrounding development, or conflict with the comprehensive plan. Council’s approvals mean the Jupiter Blue tenant and Carter Lumber can proceed to the next compliance steps (building permits, site plan review and any required inspections) but must follow conditions such as screening for outside material storage.

Details pulled from the record

- Jupiter Blue (SU2024): location 1210 Parkway Drive, applicant Mary Medlin. Hours listed in staff report: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; employees: 1. No public speakers testified against the application.

- Carter Lumber (SU03/2025): location 3715 Central Heights Road; owner listed as J & J Rental LLC; applicant Carter Lumber Company; property approximately 12.17 acres with a roughly 60,000‑square‑foot building and an 8,900‑square‑foot outbuilding. Staff noted the UDO supplemental standards for outside storage (fence/screening, setback and height limitations) and that site‑plan approval will be required prior to occupancy. NCDOT said no off‑site road improvements are required.

- Withdrawn application: Applicant informed planning staff she was withdrawing due to unanticipated development costs; staff recorded the withdrawal and told council written confirmation was pending.

Speakers and presenters

Kenny Talton (planning staff) presented both zoning reports and guided council through the four findings of fact. Mary Medlin spoke as the applicant for Jupiter Blue. Charles R. Price represented Carter Lumber at the hearing. City Manager Timothy Livingston and other staff participated in the hearings’ procedural steps.

What’s next for the sites

Planning staff said that Carter Lumber will require a site plan and building permits; staff will confirm that outside storage complies with the UDO screening and stacking requirements. Jupiter Blue must complete building‑permit work for the tenant suite and satisfy life‑safety codes before occupancy. The withdrawn application will require a new filing should the applicant proceed in the future.

No council votes on these items were recorded as split; council approved the permits and closed the hearings as part of the evening’s public‑hearing agenda.