Four rezoning requests, almost 100 acres, on the table in Brunswick next month

BRUNSWICK COUNTY — At least four rezoning requests, potentially affecting up to 100 acres, will be up for consideration by the planning board in December.

The planning board in Brunswick County delivers rulings on land use requests and proposed projects that require legislative changes to the zoning map or review of fleshed out site plans.  

Rezonings, unlike applications for “planned developments,” which have been proposed in abundance this year in Brunswick County, do not require forewarning from the landowner about future plans. Rezoning requests like these are judged on the merits of how general land use categories — commercial, agricultural or high-density residential, for example — would gel at the site in question.

Next month, one property owner, hoping to achieve a less-intensive zoning status, will request a down-zoning, while others will strive to have their land deemed suitable for high-density residential development. 

Here is a rundown of the rezoning requests expected at the Dec. 13 planning board meeting: 

4748 Dixie Lane SW 

These 20 acres comprise three parcels near Shallotte and are currently zoned for purposes of medium-density residential. The owners of two of the parcels, Jorge and Veronica Herrera, purchased their property in 2018, according to property records. 

The other owner, James Sheffield of Thomasville, bought his piece in March 2021. The applicants are seeking the zoning of rural low-density residential, which opens up wide-ranging doors for agricultural uses not permitted in other types of residential zoning districts. 

“The Rural Low Density Residential District is intended to accommodate nonresidential agricultural uses and low density residential development, as well as limited nonresidential uses that are supportive of the County’s traditional agricultural orientation including farming, silviculture operations and related activities,” according to Brunswick County ordinances. 

The site is just beyond the southwestern border of Shallotte. 

5561, 5567 and 5573 Old Georgetown Road SW (SR 1163)

This rezoning request also involves three separate parcels, amounting to 1.5 acres of land. The parcels are practically next door to those included in the previous rezoning request, separated by a large parcel within Shallotte’s jurisdiction. 

The owners of these parcels are currently operating with medium-density residential zoning and are seeking a rezoning for low-density commercial purposes. The land has frontage on Old Georgetown Road in an area on the edge of Shallotte, with mostly undeveloped land on the other side. 

Off Green Swamp Road (NC211) 

This 30.5-acre parcel is zoned for rural low-density residential uses. It’s located northwest of the N.C. 211-Highway 17 intersection, just south of the 268-acre sewer plant parcel owned by the county. 

The owner, listed as Erin Catucci of Southport, acquired the property last November pursuant to terms of a trust. 

The rezoning request on this parcel is an attempt to gain ability to build high-density residential development.

“The R-7500, R-6000, and SBR-6000 [high-density residential] districts are established to provide for orderly suburban residential development,” according to county ordinances. “A limited number of commercial and civic uses are allowed, subject to the restrictions necessary to preserve and protect the residential character of the neighborhood.”

1631 Ash-Little River Road NW

This parcel includes 42.5 acres near Ash, N.C. According to property records, the land has been owned by Greg Supsura since at least 1996. (Some of Supsura’s land was the subject of a more intensive land use request in August).

This request involves a bid to rezone the land to high-density residential zoning, specifically, like the Catucci rezoning request, to the R-6000 district. 

The Brunswick County Planning Board will meet Dec. 13, 2021 at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners Chambers of the David R. Sandifer Administration Building, 30 Government Center Dr., at the Brunswick County Government Center.

Send tips and comments to info@portcitydaily.com