Planning board recommends rezoning for property owner citing railroad access problems; final decision set for March 3

The Iredell County Planning Board voted unanimously Feb. 4 to recommend approval of a zoning map amendment for case 2602-1, forwarding the matter to the Iredell County Board of Commissioners for final action on March 3, 2026.

Staff told the board the applicant purchased and rezoned the property in 2019 from RA to M‑1 to expand an established traffic‑control business but has been unable to develop the site because of access problems related to the adjacent railroad. Planning staff recommended approval of the rezoning while retaining the property’s land‑use designation in the county’s 2045 Horizon Plan as employment center/industrial/flex office.

Applicant Megan Hoffman told the board she converted the parcel to commercial use intending to locate her business there but has repeatedly encountered problems negotiating with the railroad. “We did convert this to commercial with the intentions of putting my business there,” she said, adding that the railroad declined proposals and that tree removal and other railroad actions made development difficult.

A board member moved to recommend approval, noting that while the change is inconsistent with the 2045 Horizon Plan, it was reasonable in the public interest because impeded access has prevented commercial development and the surrounding area remains primarily residential. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The board’s recommendation will be considered by the Iredell County Board of Commissioners at the same facility on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6 p.m., when the commission will make the final decision.