Albemarle council approves rezoning ordinance for new retail establishment

The Albemarle City Council on Tuesday night held a public hearing and then approved a rezoning ordinance which would make way for a new retail establishment within the city.

The 1.84-acre vacant property at 2425 W. Main St. will be rezoned from R-10/General Residential District to GHBD (General Highway Business District.

GHBD permits a number of uses by right, to include retail establishments, restaurants, contractor’s storage yards and offices, chiropractic and dental clinics as well as a number of other similar uses, according to the staff analysis document.

The 2028 Land Use Plan classifies the parcel and surrounding areas as Commercial, which is defined as “areas generally located along major thoroughfares that contain a wide array of commercial uses.”

The city’s Planning and Zoning Board recommended Council approve the request during its Jan. 6 meeting.

Salisbury-based Teramore Development requested the rezoning on behalf of property owner JEP Farms LLC. The plan is for the retail establishment to provide groceries and some household items, though no other specifics were given during the meeting.

“We see it as a logical extension of the commercial district that is … at the intersection of St. Martin Road and N.C. Highway 24-27,” said Ben Hintze, an attorney representing Teramore Development during the public hearing.

Following the public hearing, the council approved the rezoning with the statement that amending the property is consistent with the adopted 2028 Land Use Plan, with only councilmen Bill Aldridge and Benton Dry opposing.

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