by Audrey Thomasson
LANCASTER—Rezoning to accommodate a light industrial business within a residential area brought up the argument of whether job growth is more important than spot zoning.
The controversy centered around a request from Otho and Dandridge Carlson to rezone a 7.803-acre parcel from residential to industrial limited in the 12300 block of Mary Ball Road across from Kamps Mill Road in order to relocate DC’s Powder Coating and DC’s Lawn Care to the site.
District 2 supervisor Ernest Palin made the motion to approve, which passed on a 4-1 vote. Supervisors voting with Palin were Butch Jenkins of District 1, Wally Beauchamp of District 5 and William Lee of District 4. The opposing vote came from Jason Bellows of District 3.
“This is spot zoning,” said District 2 resident Charlie Costello during the public hearing. “It is not in the primary growth area. It’s in a residential area.”
Costello was one of only two citizens to express opposition to rezoning. Three adjacent property owners requested more information, but did not object.
Planning and land use director Don Gill disagreed with Costello. “The rezoning request can be considered reasonable and appropriate given the fact that nearby parcels have industrial or commercial uses. This parcel is located approximately one-half mile from eight industrially zoned properties at the intersection of Mary Ball and Goodluck roads,” he said.
The parcel has sufficient acreage to provide adequate buffering from the neighbors to the west, he said.
Palin noted his reluctance to approve a light industrial business in a residential area outside the primary growth area. He called on the planning commission to amend the comprehensive plan to be “more definitive of the perimeters for the primary growth area” in the triangle between Kilmarnock, Irvington and White Stone.
“One job will be created, possibly more,” said Beauchamp. “I’d like to see it pass. We need more jobs.”
“This is another young man conducting business in the county,” said board chairman Lee in noting his support of business start-ups. “I think its ideal for this property. It’s light industry.”
Jenkins agreed, sighting the low activity of the two businesses.
Bellows cited the comprehensive plan’s directive to protect residential neighborhoods. “I understand the concerns. But, we’re already getting complaints about residential businesses going beyond the scope. We need to protect against urban sprawl.”
In other business, Davenport and Associates reported the Bank of Lancaster won the county’s revenue anticipation note request with an interest rate of 0.85%. The note requesting $2.5 million is expected to be paid off by the end of the year.
By unanimous vote, supervisors also approved:
• a request from William Bradley Smith to amend proffers on a property at 3611 Irvington Road near Irvington which he purchased for an auction house and antique shop under the business, Big Red Enterprises, LLC. Supervisors praised Smith as a young entrepreneur who grew up in Lancaster County and started his business when he was 14 years old.
• a special exception for Larry Benson and Michael Andrews Jr., to place a double-wide manufactured home at 302 Senora Road in Salt Aire Subdivision.
• amendments to the public boat landing regulations to include the public boat ramp at Windmill Point.
• “no wake” zones on Dymer Creek requested by the Dymer Creek Environmental Preservation Association.
