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Mebane council approves rezoning of 7.2-acre Gibson Road parcel to Light Manufacturing
Summary
The City Council voted to rezone approximately 7.2 acres on Gibson Road from R-20 (residential) to LM (Light Manufacturing), with staff citing compatibility with the city's 2017 comprehensive plan and the applicant saying the change will allow fencing and site improvements rather than long-term vehicle salvage.
The Mebane City Council on May 5 approved rezoning about 7.2 acres of a 47-acre parcel on Gibson Road from R-20 residential to LM (Light Manufacturing). The council closed a public hearing and approved the ordinance change by voice vote.
Development Director Ashley Olmi presented the staff report, saying the site sits in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction and that utilities are not available nor required for the proposed use. Olmi said the site abuts heavy-manufacturing zoning on one side and a mix of residential and warehouse uses nearby, and that the change aligns with the objectives of the city's 2017 comprehensive land development plan, "Mebane by Design."
The applicant's representative, attorney Michael Hudson, described the requested rezoning as a measure to improve site appearance and security rather than to create a salvage operation. "This 7 acres will allow enough room to actually put fencing up to protect the view from the road," Hudson said, adding that vehicles on the towing site are typically transferred for insurance processing and not stored long-term.
Council members asked about the duration vehicles would remain on site and whether the rezoning would permit a long-term salvage yard. Hudson said towing companies typically incur storage costs and either receive title through the DMV process or move vehicles to salvage firms such as Copart; he and staff emphasized the operation is not intended as a salvage yard.
After the public hearing, Council Member (Speaker 12) moved to approve the LM zoning request, finding the application consistent with the city's land development plan; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
The rezoning takes effect in accordance with the city's ordinance-adoption procedures. Staff noted the parcel is in a G4 secondary growth area on the future-land-use map and that the applicant (property owner identified in the record as Chris Fuqua) requested the change.
What's next: The zoning map will be updated to reflect the LM designation and staff will continue to process any required permits for site modifications such as fencing and site access.
