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Planning Board recommends rezoning of 708 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from I-1 to B-1
Summary
The Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend rezoning 708 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from I-1 (Light Industrial) to B-1 (General Business), finding the request consistent with the city's comprehensive plan; the recommendation goes to City Council for final action.
The Kinston Planning Board voted May 12 to recommend that City Council rezone 708 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from I-1 (Light Industrial) to B-1 (General Business).
Planning Director Elizabeth Blount presented the application from David Edwards, real estate agent for Trade Land Company, LLC, explaining the property’s prior use as a convenience store with gasoline sales. In 2024, fuel canopies, a utility building and underground storage tanks were removed and the store did not reopen; because the property remained vacant for more than 90 days, its prior nonconforming use status was extinguished (NC PIN 4525-65-1621). The applicant said the owner has had difficulty marketing the site under I-1 zoning.
Board discussion considered corridor aesthetics and the risk that B-1 zoning could allow uses some members considered undesirable. Director Blount said the Board must evaluate consistency of the zoning category with the comprehensive plan rather than base a decision on any single anticipated use. She noted IB (Industrial-Business) zoning as an alternative that provides a transitional set of permitted uses but emphasized the Board was acting on the submitted B-1 request.
After discussion, Board Member Clifton Hargett moved and Board Member Mary Margaret Herring seconded a motion finding the rezoning request consistent with the comprehensive plan. The motion carried unanimously and the Board will forward the recommendation to City Council for final approval.
City Council will consider the rezoning at a later date; Planning staff recommended the applicant could pursue the IB designation as an alternative in future filings if desired.
