PITTSBORO — The Pittsboro Board of Commissioners held several public hearings last month that will likely find their way back to the board after review by the town’s Planning Board.
The first hearing was the first of two public hearings required for the town to apply for a Community Development Block Grant. The town is seeking a CDBG grant under the Economic Development Building Reuse Program. EG-GILERO, a manufacturer of medical devices, purchased a vacant building in downtown Pittsboro. The company, which will likely create 60 jobs in PIttsboro, purchased the Hanks Street building, which previously housed Biolex. The CDBG grant, which is managed by the N.C. Dept. of Commerce, is a way to incentivize improvements to empty buildings. The first public hearing was strictly based on the economic impacts of the project. A second hearing, which will address the specific aspects of the project, will be conducted at a later date.
The second hearing was a zoning request by Luke McMahan, a local resident, musician, and sound engineer who is interested in opening a music studio in town. According to the town’s ordinances, parcels zoned as an RA-2 Zoning District, including the property McMahan is leasing, do not allow for a music studio. McMahan is asking for a special use permit iso he can proceed with developing a studio at the site. The proposal was sent to the Planning Board for review.
The next hearing was at the request of Commissioner Michael Fiocco on behalf of EG-GILERO. The hearing was to address an amendment to the Downtown Overlay District to allow properties that are zoned for non-residential and are located adjacent to, or across the street from properties zoned commercial, to be allowed to have a 0 feet setback for front and corner side yards. This proposal was also sent to the Planning Board for review.
The final hearing was for a request by Chatham Park for the town to annex Chatham Park Way, which includes approximately 17.5 acres. Chatham Park Investors built the Chatham Park Way which stretches from U.S. Business 64 to the U.S. Hwy. 64 Bypass. The annexation request was sent to the Planning Board for review.
Casey Mann can be reached at CaseyMann@Chathamnr.com