Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning staff recommends approval for two rezoning requests in Lincoln County; public comment limited
Summary
At the January 2026 joint meeting, planning staff recommended approval for ZMA 771 (a 0.717-acre residential rezoning) and PD 2025-2 (a 10.36-acre planned development for self-storage and outdoor vehicle storage). One public speaker supported ZMA 771; the planning board recessed to deliberate PD 2025-2.
Planning staff presented two rezoning requests to the joint meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and the Planning Board.
Zoning Map Amendment ZMA 771: Planning staff said applicant Jerry Paul Gilberty III seeks to rezone a 0.717‑acre parcel from Residential Single‑Family to Residential Suburban. The parcel was described as located on the west side of Harmon Road, about 1,000 feet south of Highway 27 West in Howard’s Creek Township. Staff included in the board packet a summary of permitted uses under both districts and a proposed statement of consistency and reasonableness and recommended approval. The applicant told the board he wants to move back home and cited family reasons.
One member of the public, Kenny Pedway of Clayton Homes, spoke in support and highlighted the potential for more affordable homes in the area, presenting before-and-after photos and examples of appraised values to show equity potential.
Planned Development PD 2025-2: Planning staff said Wade Dev 3 LLC proposes rezoning a 10.36‑acre parcel from conditionally zoned General Business to Planned Development Commercial to allow a self‑storage facility with outdoor boat and RV storage. The site, at the end of West Point Drive about 300 feet west of NC 16 Business in Catawba Springs Township, is within an Eastern Lincoln Development District overlay. Staff noted the parcel was previously conditionally rezoned in 2011 for a driving range and that vesting plan expired. The applicant submitted a site‑specific vesting plan and a community meeting summary (Nov. 20, 2025). Applicant James Swain described the proposal as a low‑impact use emphasizing buffering, setbacks, screening and no repair or retail activity.
The chair opened and closed the public hearing for PD 2025‑2 after no additional speakers signed up beyond the applicant, and announced a five‑minute recess while the planning board recessed to Room 310 for deliberation. The transcript does not record a final decision on these two requests during the public session; planning board deliberations occurred off the main meeting record during the recess.
Taken together, planning staff recommended approval of both requests; the record shows supportive testimony for ZMA 771 and that the PD hearing proceeded to closed deliberation by the planning board.
