SMITHFIELD – Following a public hearing that drew no opposition, the Town Council granted a request March 19 from CarMax, the national used-car dealer, to build and operate a sales and distribution center on 13 acres beside Outlet Center Drive between Carolina Premium Outlets and Smithfield Business Center (the former Sylvania plant).
It will not be a typical car dealership; rather, it’s a facility for selling vehicles to “qualified wholesale dealers” and conducting “private” auction sales. As a result, the town exempted CarMax from some of the layout rules for traditional car dealers. The Town Council was told that CarMax could employ 30-45 persons at its Smithfield facility “at full maturity.”
Following a separate public hearing that also drew no opposition, the council tabled a decision on a request from CMH Homes Inc. and Clayton Homes of Raleigh to build single-family dwellings on seven lots at the intersection of NC 210 and Galilee Road next door to West Smithfield Elementary School.
Stephen Wensman, the town’s planning director, said his staff is recommending approval of the project but pointed out that residential use of that particular site goes against the town’s Comprehensive Plan, which calls for commercial use of the property. However, because the county is not providing sewerage to the site, development of residential lots with individual septic systems is now a better option, Mr. Wensman told the council.
Councilman David Barbour said changing the Comprehensive Plan deserves some thought and he moved to table that decision till the April 2 council session. The rest of the council members present concurred.
Reprinted with permission from The Smithfield Weekly Sun
