Planning board weighs rezoning for rehabilitative clinic at 1410 E. Franklin; ordinance vote fails

The Monroe City Planning Board on Jan. 8 considered a rezoning request from KSK Properties LLC for 1410 East Franklin Street to allow a rehabilitative clinic operated by McLeod Centers for Well-being.

Carrie Mendler, planning department staff, told the board the parcel (tax parcel 09-157-004) is currently zoned Office Medical and that the applicant seeks to rezone the property to permit a rehabilitative clinic alongside other OM uses. “The ordinance currently requires that rehabilitative clinics be located at least 500 feet from existing clinics, single-family residential zoning districts, and schools,” Mendler said, adding that the property sits about 174 feet from residential zoning and is adjacent to an existing facility that provides similar services.

That separation requirement changed after a text amendment last January, Mendler said, and the applicant is requesting a deviation from the 500-foot distance rule. Mendler also said the ordinance requires North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services licensing for such facilities and that the proposed tenant has provided its license to the planning department. She said the existing paved parking lot…