Planning board narrowly recommends rezoning 51.5 acres on Josie Road for highway business; neighbors voice traffic and runoff concerns

The Iredell County Planning Board voted 5–4 on June 4 to recommend approval of a conventional rezoning request to change five parcels totaling about 51.525 acres along Josie Road from Residential Agricultural to Highway Business.

Leslie, a county planner, described the request and the parcel—s location near I‑77 and a newly planned Love—s travel plaza. Staff advised that much of the property already falls within the 2045 Horizon Plan—s highway-destination commercial designation and recommended approval because the requested district aligns with surrounding commercial development. Leslie told the board the site has road frontage only on Josie Road, a secondary road, and that the property would require buffering and screening where it adjoins residentially zoned lots.

Harry Toomas (appears as Thomas/Toomas in the record) of Metrolina Capital, representing the contract purchaser, told the board his group has the property under contract and that the intent is to provide truck parking, fenced and gated, with paving, lighting and security. "The intent is to use it for truck parking. We are not connected with Love—s at all," Toomas said, adding the site is attractive because of proximity to Love—s and nearby distribution centers and because it is relatively flat.

Residents and landowners gave extended public comment in opposition. Speakers raised concerns about increased truck traffic and backups on Josie Road, which they said is narrow and already subject to flooding in some low points; they also expressed worries about stormwater runoff, light and noise, crime and declining property values. Several speakers asked why the entire 51.5 acres was being rezoned when the applicant had said he likely would use a smaller portion for truck parking, and urged commissioners to require conditions or limit the rezoning to a smaller tract.

In response to runoff and stormwater questions the applicant and staff said the project would have to meet North Carolina erosion- and stormwater-control rules; Leslie noted that development disturbing an acre or more requires erosion-control plans and that stormwater would be addressed during site-plan review. Toomas said he had not yet commissioned detailed engineering because he wanted approval of the rezoning before spending for full design work but said he expected to design detention/retention features to avoid increasing downstream stormwater volume and velocity.

After public comment the board debated whether the full 51.525 acres should be rezoned now or whether a smaller area should be conditioned. One member said Josie Road could not safely handle high truck volumes and voted against; another member said a portion of the property already has a highway-destination commercial plan designation and supported approval. The recommendation passed 5–4.

As with other cases on the agenda the Planning Board—s action is a recommendation; the county commissioners will consider the rezoning at their July 15 meeting and make the final decision.