Council approves conditional rezoning for 234 Batley Dairy Road to allow limited employee housing and warehouse uses

The Hamlet City Council on Monday approved a conditional rezoning for 234 Batley Dairy Road, converting the parcel from I-1 (light industrial) to a conditional district that would preserve existing industrial uses while adding limited new uses including a single apartment for the owner, private recreational-vehicle occupation for employees and explicit warehouse uses.

Planning staff described the request as a conditional rezoning that keeps all existing I-1 uses and adds the requested uses only under the conditions the council may impose (including buffering because of surrounding residences). Staff noted the planning board had unanimously recommended approval at its November meeting.

During the public hearing, no speakers rose in opposition and the council voted to find the rezoning request consistent with the comprehensive plan before moving and approving the rezoning itself.

Council members discussed limitations and clarified that the private RV occupation would be restricted to employees (not open to the public) and that the conditional zoning gives the council the authority to add development conditions such as buffering or ingress/egress requirements.

The planning staff said the applicantexpects about 12 RV spaces for employees and that the conditional zoning is intended to bring the existing nonconforming building into conformity with permitted uses.

The council approved the consistency statement and then approved the rezoning by voice vote.