BY KARISSA MILLER
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a rezoning request for three parcels at the corner of Brawley School Road and Drye Drive for Lake Division Development LLC for use as a hub and storage facility.
Lake Vision Development specializes in designing and building luxury outdoor living spaces, including pools, cabanas, and other hardscapes.
Owner Phil Rotella requested the parcels, totaling 1.6 acres, be rezoned from split-zoned Highway Business/Residential Agricultural to General Business Conditional District because the use has spread over onto his adjoining residential parcels.
Rotella plans to combine these three parcels for use of the properties’ existing warehouse-type structure to house building supplies and a construction office operating out of the existing residential structure.
In 2023, Rotella attempted a straight GB rezoning of these three parcels. After much debate, commissioners advised Rotella to reapply as a conditional rezoning request and waived the 180- day waiting period for submittal of another request on the same properties.
“I’ve learned a lot through this process. I appreciate your patience,” Rotella told commissioners during Tuesday’s public hearing.
Planning Director Matthew Todd told commissioners that no neighbors opposed the plan at the public input meeting. The rezoning is consistent with the county’s 2045 Horizon Plan and was supported by the Planning Board, Todd said.
Following the public hearing in which no one spoke against the plan, commissioners voted unanimously to approve the rezoning request.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business, the board:
♦ Approved a request from Parks and Recreation for approval of $2,535 through donated funds to purchase a memorial bench for the Recreation Center in honor of Barbara Turner.
♦ Approved a request from the Iredell Library for approval of a three-year contract with Spectrum to provide internet access at the Statesville and Troutman libraries and authority from the board for the Library Director to sign the service order.
♦ Approved a request from the library to apply for E-Rate discounts. E-Rate funds cover 60 percent of the cost of services, so E-Rate discounts will cover $7,884.
♦ Approved a request from the Finance Department to amend the budget ordinance to include the Opioid Settlement Fund. According to County Manager Beth Mull, this is essentially taking the ordinance from a multi-year to an annual ordinance.
♦ Approved a request from Planning & Development to consider calling for a public hearing on March 19 at 6 p.m. in regard to a text amendment to the Land Development Code.
♦ Approved a request from EMS to purchase two ambulances and accompanying equipment for $836,065 out of fund balance.
Commissioner Updates
Commissioner Gene Houpe thanked the staff, the school system and volunteers in the community for their involvement with early voting.
Commissioner Scottie Brown took time to thank the county staff for making a difference. “If people don’t realize how great we have it here, it’s been an honor,” Brown said.
Chair Melissa Neader shared that she had the opportunity to speak to early college students about voting and at Barium Springs, where there are students with high needs. “It was eye opening to me to hear the different programs that they have,” she said.
County Manager’s Report
County Manager Beth Mull announced that the continuation of the budget retreat is planned for March 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the EOC Public Safety Center. Commissioners will discuss capital projects. However, she noted that the bids for the new high school Weathers Creek won’t be back until April 30.