Carroll County approves rezoning to allow automotive repair shop at Horsley Mill Road

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning that will allow an existing automotive repair shop on part of a 3.5-acre parcel at 905 Horsley Mill Road.

Ben Skipper of Community Development presented case Z-26-03-02, saying staff recommended approval and that the planning commission voted unanimously (4-0) to forward the request. The parcel (tax parcel 133-0146, fifth district) was described as being split so that one acre becomes commercial and 1.7418 acres become residential to accommodate the applicant’s house.

Applicant Shane Caldwell told the commission he bought the property four years ago and intends to confine commercial activity to the one-acre portion. "I'm just trying to get it zoned commercial where I can do it properly," Caldwell said, describing the operation as an automotive repair/hobby shop that he and his son will run.

A commissioner moved to approve with two conditions: the one-acre track is rezoned to commercial and may be used only as an automotive repair shop (any change of use must return to the board), and 1.7418 acres shall be rezoned residential for the applicant’s house. The motion was seconded and the board voted to approve the rezoning; the clerk recorded the motion as "passed 7-0." The planning record and staff materials were noted as included in the county file.

Commissioners also noted the site’s long history as an automotive shop dating back to the early 1970s. With the rezoning approved, the applicant may proceed subject to the conditions set by the board.