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Blowing Rock council approves rezoning for Bennett property to tie land to Horseshoe Grounds
Summary
The Blowing Rock Town Council approved rezoning request RZ2025-01 to change two vacant lots at 1194 Laurel Lane from R-15 to HSG (Horseshoe Grounds), a move applicants said will preserve the parcels as green space tied to the charity horse show rather than allow future house construction.
Blowing Rock — The Town of Blowing Rock Town Council on June 10 approved rezoning request RZ2025-01 to change two vacant lots at 1194 Laurel Lane from R-15 (single-family) to the Horseshoe Grounds zoning district (HSG). The applicant, Zach Bennett, told the council the intent is to build a small barn and keep a horse or two, and to tie the lots to the adjacent Horseshoe Grounds so they remain green space rather than be subdivided for additional homes.
Brian Johnson, town planning staff, described the parcels as Lots 5 and 6 of The Creeks At Mayview subdivision, sized at 0.771 and 0.699 acres, and noted that R-15 zoning does not allow keeping horses while HSG is intended to accommodate equestrian activities. Johnson said the town mailed notice to 15 property owners within a 150‑foot radius and that no responses were received.
Bennett said he and his family have worked with state and federal agencies to remediate the creek on the property and that rezoning would prevent future house development. "Rezoning that to the horseshoe grounds prevents that. So it'll essentially turn into green space in perpetuity," he said during the hearing.
Council members asked staff questions about permitted uses in HSG (stables, riding, and nonconforming uses such as longstanding shows), interior setbacks, the presence of sewer, and whether rezoning would create an island of R‑15. Staff said HSG allows equestrian activities and that Army Corps review could be required for stream‑adjacent work or fencing tied to wetlands/streams.
A motion to deny the rezoning, citing the town's decision criteria in section 16‑23 and arguing the application appeared to serve private rather than public interests, failed for lack of a second. A subsequent motion to approve the applicant's request passed in roll-call: Kat (Aye), David (No), Melissa (Aye), Doug (Aye), Pete (Aye). The council recorded the rezoning as approved at the meeting and thanked the applicant for attending.
The council record and staff packet list the rezoning application as RZ2025-01 and identify the subject parcels by local PINs. The town's next steps for the property include an applicant-initiated zoning-permit process if and when construction or site work is proposed; staff indicated that specific permits (including any Army Corps authorizations) would be required for work near streams.
