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Council approves conditional‑zoning amendment for Tractor Supply; applicant offers $200,000 fee‑in‑lieu for Wilson Road connector
Summary
The council approved revised conditions for a conditional rezoning that allows a Tractor Supply project to proceed while replacing a required Wilson Road right‑of‑way with a $200,000 fee‑in‑lieu tied to future acquisition or construction; staff and the applicant described the traffic study and voluntary curb/gutter offer tied to adjacent property owner consent.
The City Council approved an amendment to a previously approved conditional‑zoning district for a proposed Tractor Supply site after a public hearing and extended discussion about a stub road and right‑of‑way.
Planning staff explained that the original condition requiring a Wilson Road extension could not be met because the necessary right‑of‑way could not be secured. Applicant counsel Nathan Duggins (S22) told the council the team pursued attempts to acquire the parcel, negotiated with NCDOT and the landowner, and ultimately proposed a $200,000 fee‑in‑lieu to be held by the city and tied to the acquisition and/or future construction of the extension. Duggins said the fee would be held for up to five years; if the connection is not completed by then, funds would be available to the city for other transportation uses.
Staff and council discussed alternatives, including voluntary curb and gutter installation only if the adjacent landowner requests it, and the applicant described traffic‑analysis results that required only a left‑turn lane on Forest Oaks Lane rather than the full road extension. Council members noted DOT’s prior acquisition and settlement history around the stub and asked for additional clarity on construction cost estimates (staff suggested a wide range: roughly $120,000–$400,000 depending on site conditions).
Councilmember motioned to approve the revised conditional rezoning conditions (including the voluntary curb/gutter offer and the $200,000 fee‑in‑lieu tied to Wilson Road), and the motion carried by voice vote. The transcript shows the motion and second and recorded voice approval; the exact numeric roll call is not in the transcript.
Why it matters: The amendment allows the project to proceed without the immediate road connection while creating a dedicated funding mechanism to pursue the connector if and when conditions permit. It balances near‑term development with an explicit contribution toward future transportation improvements.
What’s next: The applicant will tender the $200,000 fee‑in‑lieu under a simple development agreement; staff will work with NCDOT and the landowner on acquisition and construction options and return with any follow‑up approvals as necessary.
