Panel conditions Figsboro Road rezoning for auto sales on subdivision of commercial lot

The Henry County Planning Commission on May 13 voted to recommend Board of Supervisors approval of rezoning roughly 1 acre at 2591 Figsboro Road from Rural Residential District R-R to Commercial District B-1 to allow an automobile sales lot, but made clear the commercial lot must be subdivided from the residence before a dealer’s license is approved.

Lee Clark, Director of Planning, Zoning and Inspection, described the parcel’s long history of motor-vehicle uses under prior licenses and explained some uses (used car lot, salvage yard) had lapsed while the repair garage remained grandfathered. Clark said bringing the property into compliance for a dealer’s license requires appropriate B-1 zoning for the portion containing the garage.

When Commissioner Stuart Bowman asked whether rezoning should be contingent on subdivision, Clark replied that the commission should make it clear the lot be subdivided and that the county would withhold approving a dealer’s license until subdivision occurs, saying staff would “withhold approving that license until it is subdivided off.” Applicant Michael J. Tipton acknowledged understanding and agreed to separate the garage parcel from the residence.

Stuart Bowman moved to request that the Board of Supervisors approve the rezoning with the understanding the garage lot would be subdivided from the remainder of the property; Richard Reynolds seconded. The motion passed unanimously with two absences.

The commission’s recommendation and the subdivision expectation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors.