New Car Dealership Approved

A new car dealership has won approval by the Smithfield Town Council.

Classic Ford, which has a sales lot on Booker Dairy Road, will relocate to 1324 North Brightleaf Boulevard near Ava Gardner Avenue. The site is a 7.75 acre lot where Jones Brothers Furniture was at one time located.

Last week the town signed off on the plan which calls for a 33,992 square foot building, 390 parking spaces for vehicles for sale, 40 employee parking spaces and 26 customer parking spaces.

The Town will require the developer to install landscaping and parking lot planting islands, and meet town codes for lighting and signage.

The Smithfield Planning Board had recommended approval of the request.

The NC Department of Transportation is currently reviewing the site plan and will decide where the entrances are located.

After approving the request, town council members asked a representative of Classic Ford what their plans were for the current site on Booker Dairy Road. The representative said the company is currently discussing their options for the site.