Planning board recommends rezoning at 131 Business Park Drive to light industrial

The Indian Trail Planning & Zoning Board voted unanimously Feb. 17 to recommend approval of ZM20260008, a conventional rezoning that would change two parcels at 131 Business Park Drive (about 1.83 acres at the end of a cul‑de‑sac) to light industrial.

Town staff told the board the parcels currently operate with light‑industrial uses that do not match the parcels’ zoning and that the rezoning would reduce nonconforming uses. A staff presentation said the change is consistent with multiple goals in the town’s comprehensive plan, including community engagement and economic development.

The staff presenter summarized the request as a property‑owner‑initiated rezoning and said the applicant was present and had signed the application, meaning the town’s usual concerns about town‑initiated down‑zoning do not apply in this case. “The rezoning request is to rezone 2 parcels to light industrial,” the presenter said, and noted the change would “help match that up, and be cleaner and would correct most of the nonconforming issues.”

Board members asked about the state’s definition of up‑ and down‑zoning and the potential for spot‑zoning. A board member asked how general business to light industrial could be considered a down‑zone; staff responded that state definitions focus on the number of permitted uses and that because the owner consents, the town’s down‑zoning concerns are not triggered.

The board made a motion to recommend approval; a motion was seconded and the board voted unanimously to forward a recommendation of approval to Town Council.

Next steps: the Planning and Zoning Board is a recommending body; Town Council will take the final action on ZM20260008.