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Cramerton approves two conditional auto‑sales rezonings, denies Wilkinson Boulevard amendment
Summary
The Cramerton Board of Commissioners on Nov. 17 approved two conditional rezonings allowing limited automobile sales with conditions and denied a separate request to expand repairs and storage at a Wilkinson Boulevard car lot; neighbors cited environmental, noise and visibility concerns.
The Town of Cramerton Board of Commissioners approved two conditional‑zoning requests to allow limited automobile sales on residentially‑zoned parcels and denied a petition to broaden auto‑repair and storage at a Wilkinson Boulevard car lot during its Nov. 17 meeting.
In the first case (RZ22‑06), staff said property owner Bob Andrew asked to rezone his South New Hope Road parcel from B‑1 to Conditional Zoning so he could continue limited automobile sales while living on the premises. Staff recommended conditions including a limit of three cars for sale and restrictions on temporary signage to maintain the residential character. No one from the public or the applicant spoke at the public hearing; the board approved the rezoning 5‑0.
The board also approved an amendment request for RZ22‑04 (J & J Auto, 3739 South New Hope Road). The owner asked to add used‑car sales to a site previously permitted for an upholstery business and to display up to three vehicles in the front yard. Planning staff recapped earlier conditions requiring decorative fencing and a landscaping plan; adjacent property owner Linda Humphries raised concerns about past grading and landscaping impacts. The amendment was approved 5‑0 with conditions including fencing and landscaping review and a prohibition on vehicle repairs visible to the public.
By contrast, the board denied RZ22‑05, an amendment proposed by Ronald Harrison for 5030–5034 Wilkinson Boulevard that would have modified existing conditional zoning to allow the temporary storage of transition vehicles and limited auto repairs inside two on‑site storage buildings. Planning staff described the site’s long history as an auto lot and presented a set of draft conditions — including an eight‑foot opaque fence along the southern property line and a vegetative buffer. Neighbors raised environmental and noise concerns; Lynn Ferguson told the board she has lived behind the property for 17 years and that the change would "create a loss of quality of life" because of pests, odors, noise and lights. Ronald Harrison said repairs would be limited to the garage and that he and his wife would be "willing to install fencing," and he said no car haulers would make deliveries. The board voted 5‑0 to deny the Wilkinson Boulevard amendment and also denied the related statement of reasonableness 5‑0.
Why it matters: these conditional rezoning decisions continue a pattern of small, site‑specific requests to allow limited commercial activity adjacent to neighborhoods. Commissioners approved limited, tightly conditioned auto‑sales uses in two cases while rejecting a request they judged likely to create greater neighborhood impacts.
Votes at a glance RZ22‑06 (Andrew Auto) — Approved 5‑0; conditions include limit of three cars for sale and signage restrictions. RZ22‑04 (J & J Auto amendment) — Approved 5‑0; conditions include fencing, landscaping approval and no visible repairs. RZ22‑05 (Wilkinson Car Lot amendment) — Denied 5‑0; statement of reasonableness denied 5‑0.
Next steps: Approved conditional rezonings will be enforced through the property’s CZ conditions; denied applicants may choose administrative or legal options provided by local zoning rules.
