Council Rejects Zoning Requests

Morris Long got turned down on his request to rezone the property where the Lincolnton Police Department was located until it moved across Flint Street to its current location.

The Lincolnton City Council unanimously agreed to deny Long's rezoning request at its Thursday night (March 3rd) meeting.

Long wanted to build four duplexes on the site.

The Council rejected the idea.

Councilman Roby Jetton remarked during the presentation by Dennis Williams, "if we approve this, then the property on the other side of Main Street is next."

Mark Ingle, owner of The Meating Place at 114 E. Main Street, was the only person other than Williams and Long to speak during the public hearing on the request. Ingle shared what many have said in Facebook posts since learning about the proposal--that the property should be used for commercial purposes.

Many have said they would like to see another restaurant there; but Williams, in his presentation, said Lincolnton already has a restaurant for every 200 people within three miles of the old courthouse and including other places that sell food, one for every 75 residents. Williams said it would cost about $1.5 million to put a restaurant in this location.

As for building a combination business and residential building, Williams said other such properties with which he was familiar have vacancies in their business portion while the residential portion is full. The driving demand, as he termed it, is for residential locations.

All four members of the Council--Kevin Demeany, Jill Tipton, Roby Jetton, and Christine Poinsette, who made the motion to deny the request, expressed concern about the duplexes being rental units.

Long, who previously operated an industry in Lincolnton and who lives in Westport, said he saw the old police station set empty, an 'eyesore to Lincolnton,' and decided it was worth developing. "I've already spent over $50,000 clearing off the old building. My plans would require another million dollars investment."

Council also turned down a rezoning request from another property owner that would have allowed building a duplex on N. Cedar Street.

You can watch the Council meeting on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuBIEfDwAy0.