Johnston County Commissioners have approved three new solar farm sites.
Following a public hearing Monday night, the county board approved a petition to rezone 11 acres out of a 31 acre tract at 13923 NC Highway 50 from agricultural residential (AR) to Industrial 2. The property is owned by Norma Faye Griffin. HCE Johnston 1, LLC was granted a special use permit to allow for a solar farm facility on the site.
Commissioners agreed to rezone 15 acres out of a 161 acre tract of lane at 4188 Cleveland Road outside of Smithfield from agricultural residential (AR) to Industrial 2. The land is owned by Robert & Wellons, Inc. Red Toad 4188 Cleveland Road, LLC received approval for a special use permit for a solar farm on the rezoned parcel.
Four Oaks Solar, LLC was granted a special use permit for a solar farm at 9971 US Highway 301 between Four Oaks and Benson. The property is owned by Ansel C. Moore and Mary E. Moore. Commissioners approved the rezoning of an 18.36 acre tract from agricultural residential (AR) to Industrial 2 to allow for the solar facility.
All three solar facilities had received prior recommendations for approval from the Johnston County Planning Board.
Following another public hearing Monday, the county board approved a petition to rezone two tracts of land totaling 3.4 acres out of 7.11 acres off US70-A from General Business (GB) to agricultural residential (AR). Teresa P. Blackmon and Stephen G. Braswell own the property. The planning board has also previously recommended approval for the rezoning.
