Lee County planning staff describe rezoning request for 2.17-acre parcel near Nicholson and Edwards Roads

The Lee County Board of Commissioners opened and closed a public hearing Jan. 5 on a rezoning request for a 2.17-acre parcel at the Nicholson Road and Edwards Road intersection.

Amy, county planning staff, said the site — rezoned to Highway Commercial in 1992 by Willie Godfrey for a proposed community store that never materialized — has public water along Nicholson Road and that the applicant, Jeffrey Godfrey, seeks to rezone the lot to R-20 (20,000-square-foot minimum lots) to allow creation of roughly four single-family lots. Amy said a preliminary soil report was submitted and that single-family detached dwellings are an accepted use in the county's "crossroads" land-use designation.

During commissioner questions, Amy confirmed the request would likely yield "at the most" four lots and that the nearest fire response would likely come from Lemon Springs/Living Springs; staff said they could provide an approximate response time if the board requested it. Amy reiterated the county encourages applicants to demonstrate sufficient lot area for septic systems because most of the county lacks sanitary sewer.

Ronnie Turner spoke in support on behalf of the owner, gave family history and described hiring a soil scientist who "checked the property from one side to the other" and produced a letter indicating the land "perks beautiful." No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing and the chair closed the hearing and instructed planning staff to carry the matter to the planning board process for recommendation and final decision.

The board did not take a final rezoning vote at the meeting; planning and staff follow-up were the next steps noted by the chair.