Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Holly Springs planning commission approves rezoning and buffer variance for church property
Summary
The Holly Springs Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a rezoning and a variance for First Baptist Church of Woodstock to allow a multifamily residence on a roughly 4.71-acre parcel off Hickory Road, with stipulations limiting unit count, building height, lighting upgrades and ball-field hours.
The Holly Springs Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve a rezoning request and a related buffer variance for property owned by First Baptist Church of Woodstock, the commission recorded during its public hearing.
Planning staff told the commission the church seeks to rezone about 4.71 acres off Hickory Road (tax parcel identifiers read into the record) to add a multifamily residential structure while retaining existing uses including a daycare and a ball field. Staff said the applicant also requested a variance from Holly Springs buffer requirements to permit the existing driveway to be reconfigured to wrap around the building and create a circular drive intended to improve circulation and safety.
"The applicant is requesting the variance to be able to create a better traffic pattern for the residents, employees, and the end users," planning staff said. Staff recommended approval of the rezoning with a package of stipulations and explained it does not make a formal recommendation on the variance itself.
The stipulations listed by staff include replacing existing lighting with fully shielded LED fixtures in compliance with Dark Sky Association guidance within five years of final council approval; limiting future development to no more than 20 housing units and no more than two stories in height; and restricting operation of the ball field to between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Staff also noted the site was previously developed and was grandfathered when annexed into the city and that existing vegetation on the eastern side of the property would not be removed as part of the proposed driveway work. Staff suggested adding a fence or wall if the commission deemed additional screening appropriate; commissioners noted an adjacent subdivision has an existing 40-foot buffer.
No members of the public offered comments during the hearing. After brief discussion among commissioners about maintaining screening and adding the previously approved stipulations to this application, a motion to approve the rezoning (MA 01/2026) "to MXD with staff recommendations and stipulations" was made, seconded and carried unanimously. A subsequent motion to approve the variance (VA 02/2026) permitting the driveway reconfiguration also carried unanimously.
The commission’s role in rezoning is advisory; staff reminded attendees that rezoning recommendations are forwarded to the mayor and city council, who take the final and binding vote. The commission approved the meeting minutes for January 15 and January 29, 2026, then adjourned.
