Applicants seek annexation and commercial rezoning for 4.2 acres off Hembridge Road

Unidentified Speaker 2 opened a Holly Springs City work session item on a requested annexation and rezoning for property off Hembridge Road. Applicants Rebecca Eady and Suzanne Graham requested annexation of approximately 4.2 acres and asked that several county parcels be rezoned to GC (general commercial) to improve marketability.

Unidentified Speaker 3, a city staff member, told the commission the applicants do not have development plans at this time and "they were just requesting to rezone to better market it." Staff said one parcel adjacent to the highway already carries GC zoning and that residential apartments lie to the southeast of the subject parcels. Staff also identified nearby streets (Cambridge, Harbor Creek Parkway) and drainage/detention features that affect parcel configuration.

Commissioners asked whether residents near the property had been notified and whether a neighborhood meeting had been held; staff replied no meeting was held because there is no project plan. Staff noted that when a development plan is proposed, required buffers between GC and residential uses would apply and that many of the areas cited for buffer are presently green space or detention areas, with only one existing lot directly abutting the subject parcels.

No final action was taken at the work session. Unidentified Speaker 3 said the annexation and rezoning requests will be set for a public hearing on December 18, when the applicants and the public will have the opportunity to present evidence and testimony.