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Commissioners set public hearings on medical‑spa zoning rules and debate drive‑thru limits for Hickory Flat marketplace
Summary
The board set a public hearing on a proposed text amendment defining 'medical spa' and adding supplemental use conditions in AG zoning (5‑acre minimum, appointment‑only, proposed 2,000 sq ft and 15‑employee cap with some public comment asking for 4,000); commissioners also discussed Hickory Flat marketplace modifications to allow drive‑thrus (Chicken Salad Chick cited by residents) and several other zoning modifications and annexation notices.
At a Cherokee County planning meeting held during the commission session, planning staff presented several land‑use items and commissioners debated use standards, size and employee caps.
Medical spa proposal: Planning staff (Thomas) described a new defined use — "medical spa" — limited to cosmetic and aesthetic treatments performed by licensed health professionals, with the following use conditions proposed in AG zoning: State licensure required; minimum lot area 5 acres; access to a county road; not permitted in subdivisions; outward residential/agricultural appearance; appointment‑only services; no general medical or surgical procedures; off‑street parking per Article 12; hours limited to 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Saturday; maximum floor area 2,000 sq ft (some public commenters asked to increase to 4,000); and a cap of no more than 15 employees. Commissioners debated whether the Fire Marshal’s occupancy limit could replace a fixed employee cap and whether variances could allow different size limits on a case‑by‑case basis. Staff noted applicants would still require a special‑use permit and the public hearing was scheduled for the evening.
Hickory Flat marketplace (drive‑thru): A separate modification proposed to allow restaurants with drive‑thru windows (to accommodate a potential tenant identified as Chicken Salad Chick) generated discussion about community preference and operational impacts. One commissioner said community interest in that specific tenant was a significant factor, and the board discussed numerical limits (allowing three drive‑thru restaurants) and the option of handling additional requests through variances or special‑use permits.
Other cases and annexations: The board also heard other modification requests (a Ballantree withdrawal of an application, architectural modifications for an Arkin Homes subdivision on Beavers Road, and two Holly Springs annexation notices for 790 Swan Lane and 2208 Holly Springs Parkway). Staff highlighted road width, hydrant and water‑flow requirements for annexations and noted public hearings scheduled in June and July for several items.
What’s next: multiple public hearings will be held on the proposed text amendment and the various zoning modifications; staff emphasized these changes do not grant automatic approvals — each will continue through the special‑use or variance processes as required.
