Coats board approves rezoning for three N. Orange Street parcels amid neighbor traffic concerns

The Town of Coats Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 14 to rezone three parcels on N. Orange Street from SFR-1 to SFR-3, a change the Planning Board recommended as consistent with the updated future land use plan.

Mayor Chris Coats opened a public hearing before the board’s vote. Neighbors said the stretch already experiences heavy traffic and speeding. "Traffic was already horrible," said Phillip Poole, who spoke on behalf of his mother and said backing out of her driveway is difficult. Ronnie Poole echoed concerns about speeders, and Janice Medders agreed traffic was bad.

Rick Ploughe, who said he was a financer for the property owner, described the project as three lots served by a private street and told the board that "backing out to the street would not be an issue." Town Manager Nick Holcomb and planners said the request aligns with Objective 2.7 to promote infill development that optimizes existing infrastructure.

Commissioner Jerry Beasley raised questions about driveway width and fire-truck accessibility; Ploughe said the private road maintenance agreement and a 20-foot driveway would address access concerns. Mayor Pro Tem Marc Powell and Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert noted the rezoning would make the section uniform with nearby SFR-3 parcels.

The board also adopted the Planning Board’s consistency statement confirming the rezoning supports the updated future land use map. Both votes were unanimous.