Planning staff reviews rezoning, setback variances for Hickory Road parcel

At a Holly Springs work session, planning staff outlined an application by Roy Kane to rezone a 0.37-acre parcel off Hickory Road (Tax Parcel 379 of Tax Plat 15 & 20) from R-40 single-family estate to NC (neighborhood commercial) and requested variances to reduce the front and side setbacks to 15 feet.

The staff presentation noted the lot is triangular and constrained by size and shape, limiting development options; the project is described as a small office building likely to be one story. "They're requesting to rezone this property to neighborhood commercial or just the development of a like, it's basically a small office building," the staff member said.

Commissioners discussed context and traffic. One committee member raised concerns about driveway access at Hickory Road and the location of acceleration and deceleration lanes, asking whether the existing median/pocket would need removal or extension for safe ingress and egress. The staff member responded that projects are already underway in the area and that design standards and the state Department of Transportation would be consulted.

The chair reiterated that the work session is for review only: "Final decisions and recommendations will not be made at this meeting." Staff said the application will move to a formal public hearing, at which the applicant and members of the public may speak and the commission may take action.

Next steps: the item will be advertised for a public hearing in May; staff indicated it would follow-up on right-of-way and design-standard questions raised during the session.