Dawson County approves rezoning for self‑storage after securing access and buffer for historic Bethel cemetery
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Summary
The Dawson County Board of Commissioners approved rezoning 8.84 acres for a self‑storage facility but required an expanded undisturbed buffer, pedestrian access, a small commemorative plaque and an 8‑foot sidewalk to protect and preserve the nearby Bethel cemetery.
The Dawson County Board of Commissioners on March 19 approved a rezoning and special‑use permit for an 8.84‑acre self‑storage development on Dawson Forest Road East, adding conditions intended to protect an on‑site historic cemetery.
Planning staff and the applicant, Dylan Lee of Precision United, told commissioners the project would rezone the parcel from Residential‑Agriculture to Commercial Rural Business to allow a mini‑warehousing facility. Lee said the developer used ground‑penetrating radar and an archaeological review as part of the permitting process and that the reports "recommend a 50‑foot buffer off of" the last marked gravesite; the applicant said design work keeps buildings and grading outside flagged areas.
The board heard concerns from a longtime resident who said the cemetery—referred to in the meeting as Bethel—dates to the early 1800s and that family members still visit. "We just need to be sure they have access to it and ... be able to get in there to it," the resident said, urging the board to preserve public access and avoid disturbing gravesites.
Commissioners incorporated several protections into the approval. The rezoning and special‑use permit were approved with stipulations requiring a minimum 50‑foot undisturbed buffer measured from the last marked grave; a gated vehicle entry with a separate, locked pedestrian "walk‑through" gate and keypad access so relatives can obtain a code to reach the cemetery; a minimum 3‑ to 4‑foot concrete pedestrian approach at the walk‑through; placement of a small plaque or marker to commemorate Bethel Methodist Cemetery; and an 8‑foot sidewalk along Dawson Forest Road to match an existing contiguous trail segment.
Planning director Richard noted the site sits between an existing Walmart and a nearby townhome development and that county design standards for the 400 overlay district require enhanced façade materials; commissioners asked the applicant to coordinate facade and brick colors with neighboring developments for visual continuity.
Commissioner Seth Stowers made the motion to approve the rezoning and special‑use permit limited to the site shown on the submitted site map; the motion included the cemetery protections and the sidewalk requirement. The board voted to approve the application with the stated stipulations.
The applicant and staff said the archaeological review and GPR work are part of the permitting record and that, if graves are encountered during grading, state procedures would require a halt and additional steps. The applicant indicated the current conceptual plan shows about 102,650 square feet gross and roughly 84,575 square feet of net rentable space, and that parking is sized to serve a small on‑site office while most access will be through loading zones.
The board's approval resolves a choice commissioners described as weighing the county's strong interest in retail sales‑tax revenue against land‑use compatibility; one commissioner noted the site is "prime retail real estate," while others emphasized protecting an historic cemetery.
The county will apply the conditions as part of its zoning approval and require the developer to include the documented archaeological and GPR reports in the permitting process. Construction subject to the permit will remain contingent on meeting the stipulated protections and following state rules if human remains are found.
