Raeford council approves two residential rezones and a commercial rezoning, sends contested Lemont Drive request back to staff

The Raeford City Council on Aug. 7 approved rezoning requests that would allow manufactured homes on two residential parcels and convert roughly 3.11 acres along Fayetteville and North Vass roads to Highway Commercial, while sending one contested Lemont Drive request back to staff after resident objections.

Code Administrator Felecia Locklear presented the first two requests. The council unanimously approved a motion by Councilwoman Mary Neil King, seconded by Councilman Wayne Willis, to rezone a 1.36‑acre parcel owned by Alice Baker‑Powell from R‑6 (Residential 6,000) to RMH (Residential Manufactured Home) to accommodate placement of a manufactured home. A similar rezone for a roughly 2‑acre portion of a larger parcel at 345 Dockery Road owned by Arthur B. Kemp, requested by Anthony B. Kemp, was approved unanimously after Locklear said the applicant told the Planning Board he planned to occupy the home.

A separate application from Christopher and Kathryn Spivey to rezone approximately 2 acres on Lemont Drive from R‑8 to RMH drew direct resident opposition. Ronald Flippin, speaking for residents of Lemont Drive, read a prepared statement asking the council to deny the request and cited the condition of the private road; several residents stood in visible support. After discussion the city manager recommended additional staff review, and Councilman Charles Allen moved — and Councilman Robert Conoly seconded — a motion to send the Spivey rezoning back to staff for more review. The motion carried unanimously, leaving the rezoning unresolved pending further staff work.

The council also approved a rezoning requested by Rhetson Companies, Inc. to change four parcels (PIN#s 694351301043, 694351301044, 694351301216 and 694351301215) from R‑6 to HC (Highway Commercial). Planning staff and the Planning Board recommended approval with the condition that the four parcels be recombined and then divided to meet city dimensional standards. Attorney Jessica Bowers and representative Matt Taggard presented for the applicant; Bowers noted a nondisclosure agreement with a prospective retailer who would occupy the site if the rezoning were approved. Councilwoman King moved and Councilman Willis seconded approval with the recombination/subdivision condition; the motion passed unanimously.

What happens next: the Spivey request will return to staff for further review before the council considers it again. The two RMH rezones and the Rhetson HC rezoning were adopted as motions during the Aug. 7 meeting and recorded in the minutes.