Burke County rezones 2893 US 70 to General Business; ordinance adopted unanimously

The Burke County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 17 to rezone a parcel at 2893 U.S. 70 in Conley Springs from R-2 residential to General Business.

Patrick Dickenson, the county planner, told the board the applicant, Country Squire Leasing LLC, is requesting the rezoning to enable commercial use of an existing tractor-trailer repair structure on the site. Dickenson said the parcel sits along a mixed-use stretch of U.S. 70 and, while not consistent with the current future land-use designation of residential infill, the request aligns with county goals to promote commercial development along major highway corridors. He noted the planning board had recommended approval by a 6–0 vote and that no members of the public signed up to speak at the hearing.

Commissioner Barriere moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-12 to rezone the parcel and to change the future land-use map to General Business; the motion passed on a recorded voice vote of 5–0. The ordinance explicitly adjusts the county’s future land-use designation for the parcel and authorizes the zoning map amendment as requested.

The change means the parcel will allow retail, service and many light-industrial uses allowable in the General Business district, with certain more extensive uses subject to special-use permits. The planner’s presentation included site photos, surrounding land-use context and the county’s blueprint/strategic plan rationale for permitting commercial development along utility-served highway corridors.

The board took no separate motions on conditions or amendments. The adoption was the final procedural step recorded in the meeting; the county clerk will update the official zoning map and future land-use map accordingly.