Raeford council amends zoning to allow funeral homes in downtown CB district

The Raeford City Council voted unanimously May 6 to adopt Ordinance #2024-02, amending Chapter 7 (Table 7-1) of the City's Unified Development Ordinance to list "Funeral Home & Services" as a permitted use in the Central Business (CB) zoning district.

Code Administrator Felecia Locklear told the council she first identified the issue while completing a zoning verification tied to the sale of Crumpler's Funeral Home. Locklear said the business, established in the 1960s, had been a legal nonconforming use and that, under the current ordinance, the use could not be continued if the building suffered damage greater than 60% even if repaired. "That would be a terrible loss to the community's history," Locklear said, explaining the rationale for changing the permitted-uses table.

Locklear said a sign had appeared suggesting a new McNeill-Legacy Funeral Home and crematorium would be built, and that she had not been contacted by the prospective buyer before the sign was erected. She noted that "crematoriums are listed as a primary use, which would not be permitted," but explained a crematorium could be allowed as an accessory use to a permitted funeral home. The Planning Board met April 29 and unanimously recommended approving the amendment.

Council members asked whether the change would allow the existing funeral home to be rebuilt after damage; Locklear answered that it would. Councilman Ricky Sandy questioned whether the prospective owner had sought confirmation from planning staff before posting the sign; Locklear said the owner contacted the city only after the sign was up.

Councilman Sandy moved to approve Ordinance #2024-02, Councilman Charles Allen seconded, and the motion was recorded as unanimously carried. The ordinance was adopted that night and will be incorporated into the city's Unified Development Ordinance as adopted.