(3/24) The Town’s Planning Commission has announced a public hearing on a Comprehensive Plan request submitted by FoodPRO for the inclusion of FoodPRO's 106 acre property, located on Fountain Rock Rd., in the Town's ultimate annexation limits with a land use designation of Limited Industrial. While this is not an annexation request, FoodPRO has pitched possible annexation to the Town previously.
The property is currently designated as Agricultural Buffer and Limited Industrial and falls within the ultimate annexation limits of the Town. Located alongside Creek View and Spring View Estates, it is bisected by an area of the Glade Creek floodplain. FoodPRO plans to construct a new distribution center on the land and may also consider adding a retail food center in the future.
In order to be consistent with annexation plans, the entire property must be re-zoned for industrial growth during the update of the Comprehensive Plan, a process which has been ongoing for over two years. The county must also approve the zoning change; without consensus from all parties, the property would not be developable for five years after annexation.
Town staff has held meetings with the County Planning staff and the Town Attorney for guidance and information regarding this property. A joint Town Council and Planning Commission informational meeting was held in January.
A Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25 to consider the request. At the meeting, FoodPRO will present their plans as part of the Comprehensive Plan update process, Town staff will present a staff report, and Planning Commission members will have the opportunity to ask questions of the property owner. Public comments will also be accepted at this time.
Due to the potential for increased truck traffic and industrialization in an area which has otherwise remained historically pastoral, both town officials and residents have expressed concerns about the FoodPRO request at previous meetings. It is likely that these concerns will be reiterated at the April 25 hearing.
After the hearing, the Planning Commission will vote on FoodPRO’s request. Once the draft plan for the Comprehensive Plan updates is released, it will undergo a 60-day review period in which further public hearings will be held to consider new comments. Revisions to the Plan will be voted on before a new draft is submitted to the Town Council for amendment and adoption.
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