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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_1054WATERSHED REGULATIONS: The property is not located within a Watershed. TRAFFIC: NCDOT is in process of making improvements to this stretch of Highway 70. This involves widening the roadway to 5 lanes from the City of Statesville's eastern boundary to Bethesda Road; according to the local DOT office, the right-of-way through the school area will remain the same except for a small portion of the northeast corner of the property. The widening project is scheduled for completion in July 2007. ZONING HISTORY: The property has been zoned RA since county -wide zoning took effect in 1990. STAFF COMMENTS: The owner -applicant is seeking rezoning of the former Wayside School property from RA to CB -CUD. The Highway 70 East Corridor Land -Use Plan proposed maintaining this property in a Public & Institutional capacity. The Plan further states that "The former Wayside School building may be sold for a use not permitted in the RA district. It is important that if rezoning is required for the future use of this site that the rezoning be in the conditional use format in order to ensure compatibility with the surrounding residential area." The district and restrictions proposed are in keeping with the principles of the Highway 70 East Land -Use Plan. Such conditions help the property blend with the residential character of the area located on the southern side of Highway 70. Therefore, staff recommends in favor of the request. Statement of Land -Use Plan Consistency: Approval of this request is consistent with the Land -Use Plan's instructions that "The former Wayside School building may be sold for a use not permitted in that RA district. It is important that if rezoning is required for the future use of this site that the rezoning be in the conditional use format in order to ensure compatibility with the surrounding residential area." The applicants have worked in good faith to address the neighbors' concerns regarding the development of the property by agreeing to certain conditions on the rezoning and, hence, this request is deemed reasonable and in the public interest. PLANNING BOARD and COMMISSIONERS' ACTION: On October 5, 2005 the Planning Board voted to recommend approval by a vote of 8-1. On November 1, 2005 the Board of Commissioners tabled the request due to the lack of specific site - development plans at that time. The applicant was directed to come back with a more specific plan that would hopefully address concerns raised by neighbors about traffic and access. As a result, the applicant has revised its plans through consultation and discussion with neighbors. Conditions have therefore been added to their request as stated on this report above. Ed Crew said his property adjoined the former school property. He asked for further description on the term "public recreational facility," as well as the public access into the property. Warren said the driveways were to be gated, or have an enclosed public access. He said the access would come from the driveway off Salisbury Highway on the eastern side of the property, subject to Department of Transportation approval. Warren said there should be no public access, whatsoever, coming from Old Warren Lane, as was stipulated in the conditions. Crew asked about the public usage of the auditorium. He asked if bands would be allowed to use the facility. Warren said incidental recreational uses would be allowed; however, the gym would not be open to the public for public recreational league use. He said it would be used in conjunction with primary use and care of the North Carolina Support Services' clients. Mr. Warren asked the applicant to further describe the usage. Lame Craven, with North Carolina Support Services, said on November 1, a youth basketball team had asked to use the gym. He said there were no intentions to open a health club or gym. 8