New business zone proposed
By Matthew Whittle
Published in News on March 21, 2008 1:46 PM
It hasn't been formally discussed by the Wayne County Planning Board yet because of time constraints at its last two meetings, but county Planning Director Connie Price is proposing that a new zone be added to the zoning ordinance for commercial businesses.
Currently there are only three zones that allow commercial businesses.
Community shopping is designed to allow establishments that meet the day-to-day needs of residents.
Village district is designed to accommodate small businesses that can adjoin residential communities.
The third, airport zone, was created for those businesses appropriate near airports.
This new one -- highway business zone -- however, would accommodate a mix of highway-oriented retail and commercial businesses that are typically visited by both residential and nonresidential traffic, such as gas stations, restaurants, grocery stories and shopping centers.
It also would allow limited residential development as a special use.
Price explained that if approved, the zone will likely be implemented in those parts of the county identified in the comprehensive plan's growth map as "urban transition areas" -- those locations that are likely to grow into new business centers that will serve as gateways into Wayne County because of new highways and the installation of new water and sewer lines.
Because of that, Price said, the zone's most important features are those governing its appearance -- requirements for high quality designs, ample parking, controlled traffic movements, attractive landscaping and non-intrusive signage.
It would, in many ways, be similar to the highway business zone the City of Goldsboro currently has available.
"This would go well with what they have," Price said. "And I just thought that instead of trying to change the zones we already have, I would try to create a zone that would be along our major highways that serve as gateways into Wayne County."
The goal, he explained, is to make Wayne County a more enjoyable place to live, to visit and to drive through. "We're just trying to make a good first impression," he said.
He's not sure, though, when the proposal will be discussed -- first by the planning board and then if approved, by the county Board of Commissioners.
Price said he is not sure, though, when the proposal will be discussed -- first by the planning board and then if approved, by the county Board of Commissioners.