Property owner seeks rezoning for outdoor vehicle storage, offers annexation to Atlanta

A property owner asked the planning commission to begin the rezoning process so he could operate outdoor storage for RVs, boats and trailers, and suggested voluntary annexation into Atlanta so tax revenue would stay local.

"There'd be an application, and then a hearing date would be set," the Chair said, outlining the steps required under the commission’s process. The Chair added that after a rezoning decision the owner would likely need to seek a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals to allow the proposed special-exception use. "You'd have to go before the board of zoning appeals to get a variance to allow you to use it for what you wanna use it for," the Chair said.

Mark, who identified himself as the property owner and as Jacqueline’s father, told the commission he bought the land in 2003 and that the parcel is currently assessed as agricultural. He said a nearby facility on 2.7 acres pays "a couple thousand" in taxes, and that agricultural assessment currently produces a much lower tax bill ("either 75 or 150 a year," he said). To keep revenue local he suggested voluntary annexation into Atlanta and said he wanted to provide a lower-cost storage option. "I'm talking, like, $30, you know, starting out $30," Mark said when discussing proposed customer rates.

Commissioners and attendees focused on what the zoning code allows and on screening requirements. They noted that automobile and truck storage appears as an allowable special-exception use in the C2/C3 classifications but that landscaping and setback requirements apply. Commissioners said a shadow-box fence would be an expensive option for multiple acres and that fencing is more likely required where storage includes non-vehicular containers or pods; for vehicles on wheels, landscaping and required trees may suffice.

A commissioner asked about public-notice timing and where the notice must be published. Participants said the Hamlet County Reporter is commonly used for public notices (the paper typically runs a batch of notices on Mondays). The Chair said staff would consult the city attorney to confirm the exact publication and notice timeline and would get the planning application to the applicants within the week.

Commissioners asked the applicant for a simple schematic or rough drawing so neighbors and the commission could clearly see the proposal at a public hearing. The Chair repeated that the rezoning must be completed before any variance could be considered by the BZA and emphasized that members of the council cannot participate in BZA deliberations.

The commission did not take a formal vote on rezoning at the meeting. A participant moved to adjourn, a second was given, and the Chair closed the session by voice vote.