Suffolk News-Herald

Suffolk Planning Commission members Tuesday granted a 60-day continuance on a rezoning request that would allow for a 255-lot single-family subdivision on Turlington Road near its intersection with Carolina Road.

Whitney Saunders, representing the developers of the proposed Millstone subdivision, requested the continuance following a stinging staff report that recommended that commissioners deny the request.

Principal planner Cristi Shields told commissioners the proposed rezoning was in direct opposition to the 2018 Comprehensive Plan and that the petitioners offered no rationale as to why the rezoning was warranted.

The request centered on 123.5 acres, which PMP, LLC of Virginia Beach and property owners Art-Ray Corp. and C.D. Parr want rezoned from OI, Office-Institutional, and M-1, Light Industrial District, to RM, Residential Medium Density. Zoning on the property was changed in 1999 from residential to offices and industry.

Shields noted that the Comprehensive Plan calls for property located near major intersections and the airport to be geared to employment, not residential, and that it would create a negative fiscal impact on the community. She said the request was also opposed by the Department of Economic Development.

Saunders told commissioners he was requesting the continuance because of negotiations with Southside Baptist Church that would change developer plans. The proposal will be brought before the commissioners again in September.

In other business Tuesday commissioners voted to recommend the following to City Council:

?A request by Charles W. Blanchard for a zoning change from OI, Office-Institutional, to B2, General Commercial, for the construction of an Express Lube and Oil Center on Bridge Road.

?A request on behalf of New Paul’s Temple Holiness Church for an addition to an existing building at 720 Factory St. The 4,250-foot addition would increase the church’s seating capacity to 250.

?A request from the owners of Baron’s Pub at the corner of North Main Street and Market Street, to offer live music. Commissioners amended the request to stipulate that no live music could be played prior to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or after 2 a.m. Sundays. Some commissioners expressed concerns that the music could disrupt Sunday church services.