Newton Council approves rezoning for retail center on NC Highway 16 with limits on freestanding signs

The Newton City Council voted unanimously Sept. 3 to rezone a 5.63‑acre property at 9737 NC Highway 16 from EM‑1 (Exclusive Manufacturing) to PD‑SC‑N (Planned Development Shopping Center‑Neighborhood), clearing the way for a proposed multi‑tenant retail development with a convenience store, fast‑food restaurant and gas pumps.

Planning Director Randy Williams told the council that applicant Claude Gagne proposed a 10,080‑square‑foot multi‑tenant retail building and a 5,500‑square‑foot retail building on the site at the southwest quadrant of East 20th Street and NC 16. Williams said the parcel has been in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction since 1980 and that water and sewer are available to the site. He noted the site’s future‑land‑use designation in the 2010 Core Area Plan shows industrial use but that the location and parcel configuration do not suit modern manufacturing needs.

A key issue at the continuation meeting was signage. Council members pressed for specific, enforceable sign standards at the gateway location. After a sequence of motions and amendments, the council adopted conditions that require a maximum of two freestanding monument signs (one per building), construction of signs from materials that match building exteriors, a maximum sign height of 10 feet, a maximum of 80 square feet per face, and internal illumination only. The Planning Commission had recommended approval with a condition limiting outdoor lighting to full cut‑off fixtures; the council’s action incorporated that lighting guidance and added the signage limits.

Council Member Ed Sain moved approval of the rezoning as recommended by the Planning Commission; John Stiver seconded. Council Member Jody Dixon proposed and won amendments to specify sign height, face area and material requirements. The final motion passed by roll call unanimously.

Council and staff noted traffic counts on NC 16 (2017 average daily traffic cited as about 18,000) and said development will be required to comply with the city’s zoning, erosion‑control and stormwater ordinances, and to provide sidewalk connections along both road frontages. Any future building permits and site work will be subject to the city’s development standards and permitting processes.

The rezoning Certificate and conditions were recorded in the city clerk’s office; staff said site development must meet the city’s design and permitting requirements before construction can proceed.