Council refers Quality Oil convenience store rezoning to planning commission

Senior Planner Julian Griffey and the applicant team presented CZMP25-002, a tier 2 conditional rezoning for a 5.76-acre parcel at the southeast corner of Benson Road (NC 50) and Evolve Drive intended for a convenience store with fuel sales, ancillary retail and office. Griffey said the petition includes two buildings, a full canopy fuel area, offsite right-turn improvements, buffers and architectural standards.

Quality Oil representatives described a modern prototype store, local design consultants and commitments added after neighborhood outreach: moving stormwater underground to free surface area for public amenities, a bus stop shelter for existing apartment residents, a dedicated dog park, enhanced street buffers and a central outdoor plaza. Traffic engineers noted a high share of 'pass-by' trips (the majority of site trips are expected to be pass-by), and NCDOT review flagged recommended right-turn lane improvements and timing constraints on signalization.

Council members praised early developer outreach and the applicant’s willingness to shift stormwater underground and add pedestrian amenities; they asked staff and the applicant about signal warrants and NCDOT timing. Following the presentation and limited discussion, the council voted unanimously to refer the petition to the planning commission for detailed review and recommendation.