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Wake County approves conditional industrial rezoning on 3 Sisters Road near Knightdale
Summary
After a staff presentation, the Wake County Board approved a conditional use rezoning to consolidate split zoning on two properties near Knightdale into a single conditional industrial-2 district with several uses voluntarily prohibited.
The Wake County Board of Commissioners voted March 17 to approve a conditional use rezoning for two properties totaling about 17 acres near 3 Sisters Road in the Knightdale area, changing split R‑30/IND‑2 zoning to a single Conditional Use Industrial‑2 (CU‑IND‑2) district with conditions that eliminate several potential uses.
Planning staff explained the request and said Plan Wake and the Southeast Area Land Use Plan designate the area for industrial or employment uses. Staff noted no water or sewer is available on the site and that future development would rely on well and septic until utilities are extended. The petitioner voluntarily offered to prohibit up to six particular uses to improve compatibility with neighboring properties. "The proposed rezoning is consistent with Plan Wake...and the Southeast Area land use plan," staff said, recommending approval.
Tom Wills, chair of the Wake County Planning Board, told commissioners the petition aligns with adjacent uses, includes prohibitions on six uses, and will require a detailed site plan approved by county departments before any development. The planning board recommended approval unanimously.
Michael Birch, attorney with Longleaf Law Partners speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the rezoning "is consistent with Plan Wake, consistent with the Southeast land use area plan, consistent with Knightdale's vision for this area," and that the intent is to allow industrial or heavy commercial uses comparable to existing development along 3 Sisters Road.
During the hearing county staff said the site is in Knightdale's future growth area; Knightdale planning staff provided courtesy comments and listed design standards that would apply if the property were in the town’s jurisdiction but did not object. Staff reported they received no opposition from neighboring property owners and one general inquiry.
Commissioner Adamson asked staff to frame the lack of public opposition carefully; commissioners discussed the site's location near I‑87 and compatibility with adjacent industrial uses. The board first adopted a drafted statement of findings and then, by separate motion, approved rezoning petition PLG‑RZ‑005297‑2024 to CU‑IND‑2 with a Special Highway Overlay District (SHOD) and the petitioner’s volunteered exclusions.
Both motions passed by voice vote. The staff noted any future development will require a formal site‑plan review for buffers, parking, stormwater, and other county standards.
