SELMA – A vacant lot at a busy intersection on Highway 42 will be the future home of a convenience store with mini-storage and outdoor storage. Alexander Design Build of Clayton received approval from Johnston County Commissioners to rezone a 5.4 acre parcel on Highway 42 East at Thanksgiving Fire Road from Agricultural-Residential to General Business-Special Use District. The land is adjacent to the Thanksgiving Fire Department and owned by Three Y’s Men LLC of Selma.
A neighbor, Dianne Fletcher, who owns a home next door on Highway 42, said when her family bought the property they were told the lot being rezoned could never be a convenience store. Fletcher said, however, if the rezoning was approved she wanted the developer to install a fence to prevent access to her land. Fletcher said a convenience store and storage area would create considerably more traffic. She also expressed concern about drainage and runoff.
Commissioner Butch Lawter said the burden was on the applicant to present evidence regarding the impact on contiguous properties. “If people come before us for a Special Use they need to be prepared,” Lawter stated.
In a motion by Commissioner Ted Godwin and seconded by Commissioner Tony Braswell the board voted to approve the rezoning and special use permit. The board included requirements of a buffer with adjacent properties and an 8 foot opaque fence for the outdoor storage area.
