Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Person County OKs partial rezoning near Jim Thorpe Highway after church opposition
Summary
Commissioners approved rezoning of three parcels west of Jim Thorpe Highway while deferring three parcels east of the highway following public concern about impacts to a nearby church and cemetery, and noting the landowner did not attend the hearing.
The Person County Board of Commissioners approved a partial rezoning on Nov. 3, 2025, agreeing to change three parcels on the west side of Jim Thorpe Highway from residential to business while leaving three parcels on the east side for future review.
Planning Director Margaret summarized the application from Chris and Brian Hicks to rezone about 6.62 acres across six parcels at the intersection of Jim Thorpe Highway and Bridgeline Road. The landowner did not attend the meeting; Margaret told the board the planning board had recommended approval by a 4–2 vote but that the property owner had not specified a use, and “it is not required for a rezoning application to indicate what your potential use is,” she said.
An interim pastor from Providence Baptist Church, speaking in opposition, told the board the church and an adjacent cemetery could be harmed by future commercial activity. “We have no idea what they’re going to put there,” he said, citing worries about fertilizer and chemical storage, larger trucks, and increased traffic that could affect funerals and children playing on nearby parcels.
Commissioners debated whether to approve the full rezoning without the owner present. Several said they preferred more dialogue between the landowner and neighbors before approving uses that might affect a cemetery and church. Commissioner Webber moved for full approval; Commissioner [speaker 6] offered a substitute motion to approve only the three parcels west of 501 to address immediate development pressure on that side. The board approved the substitute motion by voice vote.
Chair Kyle Preer noted the owner can refile for the remaining parcels immediately under a recent state law change that removed a waiting period. The board did not place conditions on future uses; planning staff said access, stormwater and safety would be handled when a specific development application is filed.
The board’s action resolves the immediate rezoning for the parcels on the west side of Jim Thorpe Highway but leaves remaining questions for the east-side parcels pending additional community engagement or a future application by the owner.
