Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Special Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kenly council approves special use permit for renovation at 313 S. Garner, adds Building 7
Summary
The Kenly Town Council approved a Special Use Permit to renovate a multiunit property at 313 S. Garner, including an explicit decision to include Building 7 in the permit package. Council cited code compliance, infrastructure capacity and tenant screening commitments; votes were unanimous.
Kenly’s Town Council on Aug. 11 approved a Special Use Permit to renovate a six‑unit property at 313 S. Garner and voted to include an additional structure, Building 7, in the permit package.
Interim Town Manager Tony Sears opened the board of adjustment public hearing for the application submitted by Joshua Craig on behalf of the property owner. Craig described a comprehensive renovation: exterior cladding replacement, selective window replacement, full interior remodels (kitchens, bathrooms, finishes), HVAC overhaul, plumbing modernization, and an electrical service upgrade from 100 to 200 amps. He said the improvements aim to attract higher‑quality occupancy and increase local property values and tax revenue.
The applicant or project representative presented plumbing and drainage plans and provided Drain Fixture Unit (DFU) calculations, stating that six units at seven DFUs each (total 42 DFUs) fall within the capacity of a four‑inch horizontal branch line, citing North Carolina code sections 709.1 and 710.1. Staff and the applicant confirmed electrical systems would be brought to current code and that Johnson County inspections and permitting will be required.
Council and staff discussed site safety and accessibility improvements proposed for the project, including removal of deteriorated exterior materials to address underlying structural issues, grading and repaving to address drainage, replacement of crumbling sidewalks, installation of a privacy fence to reduce trespass, and driveway improvements to ensure emergency access and ADA compliance.
Craig outlined tenant screening standards that would be applied by property management, specifying a 650 minimum credit score, five years of rental and employment history, and background checks intended to reduce prior nuisance and criminal concerns cited in the file.
After council’s review, the board presented eight findings of fact addressing compatibility with the neighborhood, infrastructure adequacy and compliance with the town’s development regulations. Council Member Mark Smith moved to approve the Special Use Permit for the quasi‑judicial hearing; Council Member Keith Davis seconded. The motion passed with a recorded vote of 4–0. Smith then moved to include Building 7 in the permit package; Council Member LaWanda Neal seconded, and that motion also passed 4–0.
The council closed the public hearing, returned to regular session and recessed for three minutes before reconvening. The approval allows the project to proceed through county permitting and the required inspections; staff emphasized that any deviation from approved plans will require a permit amendment and may prompt enforcement actions.
