Council approves rezoning for small duplex on Giles Street amid neighborhood parking and density concerns

The Mebane City Council voted to rezone a 0.3-acre corner lot at Giles and Vance from R-20 to R-8, allowing a duplex to be built by TRG Capital LLC.

Planning staff said the lot is vacant, inside city limits and served by city utilities, and that R-8 zoning exists across Giles Street. Frank Ascott, the applicant, described a three-bedroom duplex designed to look like a single-family house, with two driveways and garages for each unit. “It looks more like a house,” Ascott said during his presentation.

Neighbors who live near the site told the council they opposed the rezoning, pointing to parking and density problems created by recent duplex construction across the street. Didi Vincent said the existing three duplexes have “12 cars right there on Giles Street” and warned the new duplex would add to congestion. Orla Helmer and other neighbors also raised concerns that units could become rentals and said narrow streets and limited shoulder space already make parking difficult.

Staff and the applicant answered technical questions: driveway widths must meet the city’s Unified Development Ordinance, and building and fire-code staff confirmed duplexes must meet state firewall and setback standards. Planning staff noted sidewalks are not required for development of a single lot in that neighborhood.

Council members debated constraints on the decision, including state law that limits consideration of whether a property will be rented. One council member said the request is consistent with surrounding zoning and the Mebane 2045 plan’s suburban-neighborhood objectives. After discussion, the council approved the rezoning by voice vote.

The approval allows duplex development by right under R-8 zoning; any building permit will still require compliance with UDO standards for setbacks, parking and building code.