Planning Board OKs Rezoning For Gas Station And Restaurant

SMITHFIELD — The Smithfield Planning Board approved a conditional rezoning request Jan. 8 that would allow the construction of a new convenience store on West Market Street, adjacent to the Amazon warehouse. The final decision now rests with the Town Council at its February meeting.

Real Zeal Property Group LLC is seeking to rezone roughly three acres of land from Light Industrial to B-3 Conditional to accommodate the store. The planned 6,139-square-foot development would include a convenience store with seven gas pumps under a canopy, a restaurant with a drive-through, and 40 parking spaces for employees and customers.

The store would have direct access to U.S. 70 Business West via a right-in, right-out driveway and secondary access to a future industrial road. Sidewalks will be installed along the highway frontage, and a dumpster enclosure, stormwater management facility, and drive-through stacking lanes are included in the plans.

Planning department staff noted that while the town’s Comprehensive Plan guides the property for industrial and employment uses, the convenience store is considered an accessory use intended to serve employees at the adjacent Amazon facility. Planning staff concluded the rezoning is consistent with the town’s growth management plan, compatible with surrounding land uses, and reasonable in the public interest.

No deviations from the Unified Development Ordinance were requested as part of the conditional rezoning, and the developer will still need to submit a final site plan for approval after Town Council consideration.

The Smithfield Town Council is scheduled to review the rezoning request at its February meeting, which will determine whether the convenience store can move forward.