Planning board recommends rezoning of 125 Plyler Road to General Business District

The planning board voted to recommend approval of ZM20250113, a conventional map amendment to rezone two SF‑1 parcels totaling about 3.67 acres at or near 125 Plyler Road to General Business District (GBD), during its Jan. 13 meeting.

Planning staff presented maps and photos and said the request would allow a range of commercial and light‑industrial uses that are already present nearby. "The request is to rezone 2 SF‑1 parcels to GBD," the presenter said, listing permitted uses such as assisted‑living, veterinary services, day care, retail and professional offices. Staff noted the town's comprehensive plan shows higher‑density residential for the area but recommended the rezoning as reasonable given existing surrounding commercial and multifamily development and limited sewer capacity.

An applicant representative told the board the owner has no firm plans but hopes to keep the corner as a commercial anchor. "The gist is that we wanna keep the corner... ideally, back towards a residential part would be where we have a professional, like, business park," the applicant said. The applicant added a daycare had expressed interest but might not meet site criteria.

A nearby resident, Greg Franklin of 201 Plyler Road, spoke during public comment and said he was not strongly opposed but wanted assurance about screening and the effect on an existing private water line that runs across the parcel. "My water line runs right across that field... I'm trying to understand from the county what is involved in untapping... and what the cost might be to relocate," Franklin said. Planning staff responded that utility relocations typically occur during site‑plan and construction review and are generally the developer's responsibility, and noted that the property would remain a legal nonconforming residential use while current occupants remain.

Board members asked about likely buffers, roadway improvements, and notice to neighbors when construction drawings are submitted. Staff explained buffer widths depend on the specific use (group‑1 uses generally require about a 15‑foot buffer; more intense uses may require up to 25 feet) and that roadway or traffic improvements would be determined during site‑plan review and any required coordination with NCDOT or the town.

After the discussion, a motion to recommend approval "as presented" was made and seconded; the board approved the recommendation by voice vote and sent its recommendation to town council for final action.

The next procedural step is town council review of ZM20250113; site‑plan review will determine buffers, tree‑save requirements (staff noted a minimum 10% tree‑save on site), and any needed utility relocations.