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Newton council approves rezoning of three Muntz Drive parcels for storage expansion
Summary
Newton City Council unanimously rezoned three parcels at 1343, 1347 and 1353 Muntz Drive from R-20A to B-4 to allow expansion of Affordable Mini Storage; the applicant said he will remove and remediate old 40-foot fuel tanks on the site.
Newton City Council on Nov. 5 unanimously approved Rezoning #2024-07 to change three parcels at 1343, 1347 and 1353 Muntz Drive from R-20A residential to B-4 general business to allow expansion of an adjacent storage business.
Planning Director Randy Williams told the council the 0.8-acre site, comprised of three Catawba County parcels, has been zoned R-7 (and later R-20A) for decades and that the city’s Comprehensive Plan shows the southern portion as a Neighborhood Node and the northern portion as a Middle-Intensity Residential Neighborhood. He said the applicant, Chad Barkley, holds an option to purchase the former Yoder Fuel Company property and intends to combine portions of that property with the parcels to the south to access the site through the Neighborhood Node area.
Williams said the parcels lack city water and sewer access and that electricity would be provided by Duke Energy. He summarized public-notice steps taken and told council the planning commission voted unanimously to recommend approval, finding the request consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Applicant Chad Barkley told the council he appreciated the opportunity to rezone the properties and said the site contains old fuel tanks that he intends to remove. "There are still old fuel tanks that are 40' tall and 10' in diameter," Barkley said, and he added he will work with remediation companies to tear down the tanks and improve the appearance of the city entry.
Mayor Jerry Hodge opened the public hearing; no members of the public spoke. After the hearing was closed, council voted unanimously to approve the rezoning. Mayor Hodge then presented a resolution recognizing H&W Drug; former Mayor Eddie Haupt thanked council and staff for the recognition.
The rezoning clears the way for Barkley’s planned expansion of Affordable Mini Storage, which is adjacent to the parcels. Barkley told the council he does not plan to use Muntz Drive for access and will pursue closure of Ray Avenue, an unopen street right-of-way adjacent to the property, as his development plans progress.
The council record shows the rezoning as Rezoning #2024-07 and the Planning Commission recommendation and related ordinances and resolutions are on file in the office of the city clerk. The council did not record any conditions on the approval during the Nov. 5 vote. The next procedural step for the applicant will be permits and any required land disturbances or right-of-way actions to support the storage expansion.
