Four Oaks approves variance for 4040 U.S. Hwy 301 S. to allow small office

The Four Oaks Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a variance Dec. 16 for Parcel #08J11023Y at 4040 U.S. Hwy 301 S, allowing an office building on a lot that does not meet current minimum size requirements.

The board conducted a quasi-public hearing, swore in witnesses and then considered four statutory findings of fact required for a zoning variance. Attorney Alan "Chip" Hewett read the required findings — that a strict application of the ordinance would cause unnecessary hardship, that the hardship stems from conditions peculiar to the property, that the hardship was not created by the applicant, and that granting the variance would be consistent with the ordinance's spirit and public safety. The board voted unanimously to approve each finding.

Petitioner Chad Stewart told the board the parcel was split into two lots in the 1990s and currently does not meet the town's lot-size requirements. Stewart said he intends to remove an old trailer and replace it with a small office "for paperwork only," adding, "This will not be a 'show lot.'" After the findings were approved, Commissioner Tony Capps moved to grant the variance, Commissioner Michael Bradley seconded, and the motion carried with unanimous approval.

Why it matters: The variance clears the way for a buyer to use the site for a small administrative office that, according to the applicant, will not operate as a retail or display site. The decision was supported by the board's unanimous finding that the property's existing configuration creates the hardship prompting the request.

No additional conditions or amendments to the variance were recorded in the minutes; the board did not state further permitting steps beyond the usual permitting and code compliance processes.