Planning commission recommends MDR zoning for 0.75‑acre parcel at 0 Shamrock Drive

The Burlington Planning & Zoning Commission on Sept. 22 recommended that a 0.75‑acre portion of a 28.34‑acre tract at the southwestern tip of Alamance County PID 131297 (addressed as 0 Shamrock Drive) be assigned Medium Density Residential (MDR) zoning and a suburban residential future land‑use, moving the request to the City Council for annexation consideration.

Ryan Moffitt of the Vernon Law Firm, representing Henson Realty LLC, told the commission the small tract was added to the larger parcel in 2023 and that “the request is as simple as that” — asking the parcel be zoned consistently with the balance of the property if city council approves annexation. City staff explained the parcel currently sits in Graham’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and that a municipal zoning designation would only take effect if the city completes annexation.

Staff recommended MDR zoning to provide cohesive development standards with the surrounding properties, saying the district’s uses are compatible with nearby medium‑density housing and the former Shamrock Golf Course property. Commissioners asked questions about access; the applicant said the 0.75‑acre piece provides an existing right‑of‑way needed to avoid landlocking the remaining tract.

A commissioner moved to recommend approval, citing consistency with the comprehensive plan’s future land use map. Staff conducted a roll‑call vote; Chair James Kirkpatrick, Vice Chair Easley and the commissioners present each voted to approve the recommendation. The commission’s recommendation is advisory; final annexation and zoning will require City Council action.

The commission also recorded the August minutes as approved earlier in the meeting.