LAURINBURG — Putting a tractor-trailer parking lot in the same vicinity as places of worship didn’t sit well with the Laurinburg City Council on Tuesday.
City Council members unanimously voted to deny the rezoning request for a parcel on Wagram Road from residential to industrial — but told the property owner the city will help in finding him another location.
The property was purchased by Raim Niranjan, who owns Niron Trucking Service, LLC, out of Orlando, Florida, back in March. Niranjan wanted to turn the property into a parking area for semi-trucks as well as allowing cars, boats and RVs to park there for a fee.
When the planning board met on Aug. 13 to discuss the property, which is located across from Northview Harvest Ministries, the vote was split 3-3.
Niranjan spoke to the Council about how there have been problems for the past several years about his trucks getting tickets in rest areas and not being able to park in places like Walmart legally.
“I see the need all around this area,” Niranjan said. “There’s no parking whatsoever.”
During the public hearing for the rezoning, members of the church spoke to the council on how they were concerned about traffic and criminal activity if the area were to be rezoned.
Before the Council began the discussion, City Attorney William Floyd explained that the Council isn’t voting on the plot of land becoming a parking area, but the rezoning of the parcel to industrial — which could allow for a plant to be opened up among other items.
“There’s been a lot of focus here tonight on particular uses,” Floyd said. “I want Council to keep in mind that the over-riding issue here is not this particular use, it’s the zoning of that particular parcel that can be any variety of the list of items you have in front of you. This isn’t a conditional-use permit.”
Council member Mary Evans said the area just wasn’t feasible to use for the particular use (requested) and the current area gives the entrance to the city a nice green space.
“I think it’s important to note that one of the factors we are required to consider is how this request will fit in with our overall long-range land-use plan,” said Council member Andrew Williamson. “Unfortunately, it is clear it does not … I understand these trucks need to park somewhere, I just wish this wasn’t the site we were talking about.”
Niranjan can return in a year to request the rezoning again, but Council was in agreement to help locate another parcel of land that could work in place of the one he requested.
“We’d love for this to be a trucking hub and have all the side benefits that come with it, it’s just concerns about this particular location,” said Mayor Matthew Block. “We do agree it is needed and more highways are coming. Personally speaking, I’d love to have it here, it’s just too out of keeping with the surrounding areas.”
Reach Katelin Gandee at 910-506-3171 or at kgandee@laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com
