Planning board conditionally recommends Toy Barn storage project be reclassified as office before commissioners review

The Peletier Planning Board voted to forward a conditional recommendation to the board of commissioners for a proposed eight-unit storage building at 102 Pettiford Road, directing the applicant to amend the application to classify the units as office space or otherwise align the application with the project’s promotional material and parking requirements.

A staff member said the board received promotional materials that describe activities — including a small personal office and recreational features such as a pool table — that could constitute occupiable space under the North Carolina building code. The staff member recommended “denial due to the discrepancy between the use proposed on the zoning application and the use advertised” or, alternatively, a conditional approval if the applicant reclassified the project and submitted an updated site plan to meet office parking standards. “I recommend denial due to the discrepancy,” the staff member said; he added that an alternative would be “reclassification of the project … to office” and submission of a revised plan showing required off-street parking.

The applicant described the development as primarily storage for classic and exotic cars, boats and RVs, saying the building would contain eight deeded units that would be sold to individual owners rather than rented. “It’s mostly storage,” the applicant said, adding the building would include 14-foot door heights and a 20-foot peak and that units would initially be served by a single electrical meter, with meters added later as needed. The applicant apologized for an oversized real-estate sign and described community-fee arrangements for maintenance: “They’ll be roughly $1,500 a year,” he said.

Board members pressed the applicant on access, setbacks and whether the promoted activities — such as placing a desk or small office in a unit — would allow public business activity that conflicts with the storage classification. The staff member noted that under the town’s zoning ordinance and the building code, spaces intended for human occupancy trigger different standards, especially for parking. He cited the local off-street parking schedule and said offices require a higher parking ratio.

After discussion, a board member moved to recommend conditional approval to the commissioners provided the applicant amend the application to an office use (or otherwise correct the wording that suggests occupiable activities). The board approved the recommendation by voice vote; the item will be considered by the board of commissioners, which holds final authority. The staff said it will work with the applicant to prepare the amended application and updated site plan before the commissioners’ meeting.