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Roanoke Rapids council approves special‑use permit for Craig Street duplex despite neighbor objections
Summary
Council granted a special‑use permit to Jitto Enterprises for a duplex on Craig Street after a quasi‑judicial hearing; planning staff found the proposal consistent with the comprehensive plan, and one council member registered opposition at the final vote.
Roanoke Rapids City Council voted to grant a special‑use permit to Jitto Enterprises for a duplex on Craig Street following a quasi‑judicial public hearing and individual votes on the four required findings.
Planning and Development Director Kristen Anderson told the council the parcel sits in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) in an R‑8 residential district and that staff found the application complete and, if built as proposed, likely to comply with the land‑use ordinance and the comprehensive plan. Anderson said the development review will include code enforcement, building inspections, fire, Halifax County Environmental Health and the N.C. Department of Transportation. “Duplexes are authorized within the R‑8 residential zone with a special use permit,” Anderson said.
Applicant Peter Jitto, who identified himself as a licensed general contractor and owner with multiple local projects, described a two‑unit duplex with four bedrooms per side and said he plans to manage or sell the units depending on market conditions. “I build them usually… I’m very familiar with Roanoke Rapids,” Jitto said.
An adjacent neighbor, Kathy Little, opposed the permit, saying she has lived at 220 Craig Street for 24½ years and feared the duplex would lower property values and bring instability. “I do not want this duplex in my neighborhood,” Little said, citing prior disturbances at a neighboring property.
Councilors individually considered the four quasi‑judicial findings—public health and safety; effect on adjoining property values; harmony with the area; and general conformity with the comprehensive plan—and recorded motions, seconds and votes on each. After those votes, the council moved to grant the permit for Halifax County Parcel No. 0905008 with the conditions set by the land‑use ordinance. One council member registered opposition during the final vote; the motion carried and the project will proceed to the applicable permitting and review steps, including driveway approval by NCDOT.
The staff report referenced the land‑use ordinance section cited during the hearing and noted required buffering (Type B screening) and coordination with utilities and county services. The city clerk will record any conditions and applicable plan requirements in the permit documentation.
