Council approves conditional rezoning for convenience store near Amazon site
February 17, 2026 | Town of Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Town of Smithfield council approved a conditional rezoning request (CZ‑25‑07) to convert roughly three acres near the Amazon facility from light industrial to a highway entrance conditional district to allow a commercial convenience store intended to serve the nearby industrial development.
Planning staff summarized the proposal as a conditional rezoning for a roughly 6,100‑square‑foot store with a drive‑through, parking shown for about 40 cars, sidewalks along US‑70 Business West, and a future stormwater facility. Staff recommended approval and stated the action was consistent with the comprehensive plan because the convenience store is intended as an accessory use serving employment land uses (Planning staff: SEG 218–230, SEG 295–302).
John Featherston, who introduced himself at the meeting as "a principal with Real Seal Property Group" and the applicant representative, said the intent is to build a Sheetz store and described fuel plans: "Sheetz does serve, does, sell diesel fuel for, you know Auto... but it doesn't have the high speed diesel fueling that is used for tractors, tractor trailer, vehicles," arguing long‑haul truck fueling and staging was unlikely at the site. (John Featherston: SEG 418–427.)
Council discussion focused on truck staging, parking accommodations for tractor‑trailers, and jurisdiction of driveways and easements. Staff and the applicant discussed possible no‑parking signs and easement negotiations with the current road owner; staff noted stormwater and other site plan standards would be reviewed at the site‑plan stage.
The council approved the conditional rezoning with the conditions discussed by staff: the applicant will prepare a minor subdivision to separate the lot from the parent parcel and the council accepted staff's recommendation to waive foundation plantings for the site plan (motion and voice vote carried at the meeting). (Motion and vote: SEG 749–774.)
Planning staff said site‑plan submittal, lighting, landscaping, curb and gutter, and stormwater management remain required before building permits are issued.
Planning staff summarized the proposal as a conditional rezoning for a roughly 6,100‑square‑foot store with a drive‑through, parking shown for about 40 cars, sidewalks along US‑70 Business West, and a future stormwater facility. Staff recommended approval and stated the action was consistent with the comprehensive plan because the convenience store is intended as an accessory use serving employment land uses (Planning staff: SEG 218–230, SEG 295–302).
John Featherston, who introduced himself at the meeting as "a principal with Real Seal Property Group" and the applicant representative, said the intent is to build a Sheetz store and described fuel plans: "Sheetz does serve, does, sell diesel fuel for, you know Auto... but it doesn't have the high speed diesel fueling that is used for tractors, tractor trailer, vehicles," arguing long‑haul truck fueling and staging was unlikely at the site. (John Featherston: SEG 418–427.)
Council discussion focused on truck staging, parking accommodations for tractor‑trailers, and jurisdiction of driveways and easements. Staff and the applicant discussed possible no‑parking signs and easement negotiations with the current road owner; staff noted stormwater and other site plan standards would be reviewed at the site‑plan stage.
The council approved the conditional rezoning with the conditions discussed by staff: the applicant will prepare a minor subdivision to separate the lot from the parent parcel and the council accepted staff's recommendation to waive foundation plantings for the site plan (motion and voice vote carried at the meeting). (Motion and vote: SEG 749–774.)
Planning staff said site‑plan submittal, lighting, landscaping, curb and gutter, and stormwater management remain required before building permits are issued.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
