Pearson council approves rezoning to allow outdoor storage for fencing contractor

The Pearson Town Council voted unanimously on second and final reading Aug. 19 to approve Ordinance 2025-03 (a small-scale comprehensive-plan amendment) and Ordinance 2025-04 (rezoning) for a 1.24-acre parcel at the northeast corner of Center Street and Fourth Avenue owned by Chris Walcott. Councilman Jimmy Anderson made the motion to adopt the rezoning; Councilwoman Brandy Peterson seconded it, and the clerk recorded a unanimous roll-call vote.

Town attorney Scott Simpson read the ordinance titles into the record and described the technical changes to the future land-use map. Town planner Rebecca Carle told the council the request was intended to permit outdoor equipment and material storage: "B-2 is the only zoning that allows for outdoor equipment or material storage," she said, explaining why the applicant sought the heavier commercial classification. Carle added that any on-site improvements would still be subject to the town's landscaping buffer and screening requirements, and would be reviewed through the site-plan process.

Council discussion focused narrowly on land-use compatibility and enforcement tools if outdoor storage was not properly screened. One resident asked whether the newly cleared adjacent land belonged to Sean Smith; staff clarified the cleared parcel is already zoned B-2 and the fencing business parcel is the 1.24-acre site under consideration. The ordinances include standard severability and noncodification language and take effect on the dates specified in the ordinances.