Newton council approves rezoning at 3836 Startown Road to allow tire store

Newton — The Newton City Council unanimously approved Rezoning #2024-04 on July 9, 2024, changing the zoning for 3836 Startown Road from PD-SC-C (Planned Development – Shopping Center – Community) to B-2 (Highway Business), allowing a tire store to locate on the 1.72-acre parcel.

Planning Director Randy Williams told council the site consists of two parcels (Catawba County PINs 3629-07-67-2803 and 3629-07-67-1856) totaling 1.72 acres and cited a parcel size of 74,923 square feet. He said existing rules do not allow a tire shop on parcels larger than 57,000 square feet under the current zoning designation, so the rezoning would permit the applicant to build the proposed tire store. Williams also noted the site fronts Startown Road, which had a 2021 average annual daily traffic count of about 13,000 vehicles per day, has access to utilities and private access to the adjacent Food Lion shopping center, and is designated a "Neighborhood Node" in the city’s Blueprint Newton Comprehensive Plan adopted in October 2023.

Williams said the Planning Commission reviewed the request and voted unanimously to recommend approval. Mayor Jerry Hodge asked about the project timeline; Mr. Aaron Edwards responded that the timeframe depends on approval of the rezoning. No members of the public spoke at the hearing.

Council Member Jody Dixon moved to close the public hearing and Council Member Ed Sain seconded; the ordinance to rezone the property to B-2 was then approved by unanimous vote.

The rezoning ordinance and related documents are on file in the Office of the City Clerk.