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Council approves West Holt Street rezoning to R-8 for small multifamily project
Summary
The Mebane City Council approved a general rezoning of two West Holt Street parcels from R-12 to R-8 to allow 2–4 unit “missing middle” housing after a public hearing and applicant presentation; council debated parking, driveways and early-stage design details but found the request consistent with the Mebane 2045 plan.
The Mebane City Council voted to rezone roughly 0.48 acres on West Holt Street from R-12 to R-8, approving an application that the applicant said would allow 2–4 “missing middle” rental units within walking distance of downtown.
Developer Alan Thompson, owner of AMM Properties, told the council he and his wife had just closed on the site and presented conceptual plans that could yield duplexes, a triplex or a four-unit building. “We’re really gonna try to get the cost of this project down and make it as efficient as we can to be able to pass that savings on to the end tenants of the property,” Thompson said.
Development Director Ashley Ombe described the property as primarily vacant, with city utilities available and a stream that runs along the parcel near Holt Street Park. Ombe also noted the site lies within the downtown place type of the Mebane 2045 comprehensive plan, which supports a mix of housing to complement downtown uses.
At the public hearing Colin Connell, a member of the Mebane planning board, urged approval and said the proposal matches the comp plan’s intent. “This is exactly the kind of missing middle, more affordable housing infill that the city said that it wanted in the comp plan that you guys just approved,” Connell said.
Council members pressed the applicant on driveway access, parking counts and whether NCDOT would permit curb cuts on that stretch of Holt Street. Thompson said options under further design include a single shared driveway with internal parking or rear parking and that the project team had commissioned a preliminary flood study showing limited mapped floodplain impact.
Some councilors expressed caution about approving a rezoning when final building plans are not yet complete. One council member warned the rezoning is “almost just a blanket R-12 to R-8” and said details matter; others pointed to the applicant’s local reputation and prior similar projects in Mebane.
The council moved to find the application consistent with the Mebane 2045 comprehensive plan and approve the R-8 rezoning. The motion passed by voice vote.
Council signaled that TRC review and permitting requirements (including NCDOT driveway approvals) would still apply as the applicant returns with detailed site plans.
