Commissioners approve rezoning for day program at Edgewood Drive in Mount Airy

The Surry County Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 16 to rezone two parcels totaling 1.645 acres near Edgewood Drive and Park Drive in the Mount Airy area from Residential Limited to Highway Business, allowing the applicant to establish a weekday day program for adults with behavioral health and developmental services.

Adrian Garner of Development Services presented the staff report on rezoning case ZCR1274 and told the board the planning board recommended approval. Garner listed seven findings in support of rezoning, including that the parcels were previously in Mount Airy’s extraterritorial jurisdiction until 2019, the area has trended toward commercial use along Edgewood Drive, and public water is available to accommodate highway business uses.

Applicant Khalil Nasar, who identified himself as CEO and owner of PQA Healthcare, said his organization operates locally and statewide and needs a new Mount Airy location after losing a downtown lease. Nasar described the proposed use as a weekday day program that provides daily living and habilitation skills for adults with mental health, developmental disabilities and substance use disorders.

Commissioner Hite moved to rezone ZCR1274, reclassify the parcels and adopt the consistency statement; Commissioner Mary seconded. A voice vote recorded ayes and the board approved the rezoning.

The staff report and planning-board recommendation were cited as the basis for the consistency statement. The transcript records the applicant’s business name as both "EQA Healthcare Incorporated" (planning staff) and as "PQA Healthcare" (applicant); that discrepancy was not resolved on the record.