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Person County commissioners approve conditional-industrial rezoning for Duke Energy site, 3-1
Summary
The Board of Commissioners approved a conditional district rezoning for a roughly 297-acre vacant parcel owned by Duke Energy Progress LLC, changing the land from agricultural/residential to conditional district general industrial (CD‑GI). The vote was 3–1 after prior review by the planning board and a public hearing.
The Person County Board of Commissioners voted to approve conditional district rezoning CD‑01‑24 for a roughly 297‑acre vacant parcel owned by Duke Energy Progress LLC, changing the property from AR (agricultural/residential) to CD‑GI (conditional district, general industrial). The motion, presented from staff, included a written finding that the rezoning is consistent with the Person County and City of Roxboro joint comprehensive land‑use plan. The board approved the motion by a 3–1 vote.
The rezoning application previously went to the county planning board, which held a public hearing and recommended approval by a 4–2 vote. The item had been tabled at the commissioners’ February 3 meeting to allow additional public review of materials; it returned to the board for a final decision at the retreat. County staff read the motion on the record from the planning staff report before the vote.
Supporters on the dais emphasized the county’s long economic relationship with Duke Energy and the potential infrastructure alignment for large energy users. “Duke Energy has been feeding in this county and its families since 1966,” Commissioner Thomas said during discussion. Several commissioners noted the parcel’s proximity to the privately owned Megasite that Microsoft purchased and said the rezoning would allow industrial uses that are consistent with that regional pattern of development.
Opponents raised procedural concerns about public access to information; one commissioner said the item had been tabled previously specifically so constituents could read the materials and follow up. Commissioners discussed that the rezoning decision is a land‑use change and not the same as approval of any particular industrial project or contract.
The motion approved reads in part: “I hereby move to approve conditional zoning district rezoning application CD‑01‑24 for Duke Energy Progress LLC to rezone the 297 acre vacant subject property from AR (residential) to CD‑GI (conditional district, general industrial) and find it is consistent with the adopted Person County and City of Roxboro joint comprehensive land use plan.” The planning board recommendation and the staff report were cited as the record basis for the board’s action.
The rezoning does not itself authorize construction permits or site‑level approvals; future development proposals will be subject to applicable permitting, engineering review and any conditions the county imposes when site plans or other approvals are later requested. The planning board’s record and the county staff report remain the administrative record for the decision.
Votes and procedural notes: the planning board had recommended approval 4–2; the commissioners approved the rezoning 3–1. The board’s action was characterized in the meeting as a legislative land‑use decision rather than project approval.
The county attorney’s office and planning staff will maintain the official case file and public records associated with CD‑01‑24; further procedural steps for any future permitting or site‑specific projects were discussed as separate, subsequent processes.
