Planning board backs rezoning tweak to allow Ray shop expansion at Airspeed Drive

The Huntersville Planning Board on a unanimous recommendation supported a rezoning revision for 12311 Airspeed Drive that will allow the Ray shop to revise its approved site plan to increase building size and add parking.

Brian Richards of the town planning staff told the board the request is largely cleanup to an existing conditional district and that the applicant proposes to increase the building footprint from roughly 95,000 square feet to about 117,800 square feet. "Great asset to have in Huntersville," Richards said of the existing business, and he added staff found no change in the traffic-impact analysis, stormwater controls or tree protection requirements tied to the change.

Richards said a buffer was labeled as 60 feet in prior materials but measured at 50 feet; the applicant has offered to plant in the 50-foot area at the 60-foot planting rate to maintain the visual screening. Board members asked whether future expansions would be allowed without another amendment; staff said additional expansions would require an amendment to the approved rezoning plan.

After questions from board members about BMP sizing and impervious area associated with the enlarged parking, a motion recommending approval—finding the application consistent with Huntersville 2040 policies LU1.1, LU5.1 and EV1.2—carried by voice vote with conditions noted by staff.

The planning board recommendation advances the applicant's request for a final decision by the town board as provided under the town's rezoning procedures.