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Commissioners approve rezoning 430 acres to light industrial after divided planning recommendation
Summary
After a split 4–3 Planning Board recommendation to deny, the Lee County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning request to change 430 acres from residential‑agricultural to light industrial; proponents cited jobs and tax revenue while neighbors raised environmental and traffic concerns.
The Lee County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 approved a zoning map amendment to reclassify approximately 430 acres on Lower Montague/Lower Monture Road from residential‑agricultural to light industrial, allowing development of a business park led by the Truswell Group. The Planning Board had recommended denial by a 4–3 vote.
Multiple members of the public and business groups spoke for and against the rezoning. Steven Barber, representing neighboring property owners, said Truswell has purchased much of the area and urged approval to avoid piecemeal annexation by the city and to bring business growth that can support schools and infrastructure. “Light industrial would be, present significantly less traffic than would the homes if it ultimately came to that,” he said.
Opponents raised concerns about water quality, traffic, lighting and the enforceability of voluntary commitments the developer offered. Amy McNeil of the planning department summarized the planning board’s concerns that the rezoning may change the character of the area, could require off‑site improvements such as road widening and rail spurs, and noted that voluntary environmental commitments by the applicant would not be automatically enforceable on a general‑use rezoning.
Applicant representatives said they had submitted commitments — including not developing south of the rail line, increased buffers, stormwater measures beyond county requirements, and payment for off‑site traffic improvements — and referenced a traffic study estimating that a light‑industrial development would generate fewer daily trips than a 430‑lot residential subdivision by right. The developer also said it would follow through on stewardship commitments and that failing to do so would limit its broader investments in the county.
Commissioners debated whether the change was consistent with the county’s long‑range land‑use plan, and one motion adopted the planning board’s nuanced position that the proposal was both “consistent and not consistent” with the plan. The board then adopted a separate motion finding the RA→LI amendment reasonable and in the public interest and approved the rezoning by voice vote.
Staff and commissioners flagged the need for follow‑up work — including enforceable development agreements or conditions and detailed infrastructure plans — as the rezoning moves toward site‑level approvals and required improvements.
