Planning board OKs new lofts' subdivision
By Anessa Myers
Published in News on January 29, 2008 2:03 PM
The Goldsboro Planning Commission approved a subdivision plan Monday night that will allow the Borden Mills Loft Condominiums project to continue.
The property, which is located on the corner of Royall Avenue and William Street, was formerly used by the Borden Manufacturing Co. to produce cotton yarn.
Now, a private investment company, Borden Lofts, has bought the property and plans to renovate the buildings into 65 condominiums, complete with modern amenities and historical elements.
Borden Lofts part-owner Robby Baker has said the company is just waiting for more people to show an interest in purchasing condominiums before it starts renovation.
Planning Director Randy Guthrie said he believes that the company asked for the subdivision plan to separate the historical parts of the building from the newer areas -- which will help buyers qualify for historic preservation tax credits.
The company proposes to separate 12.9 acres into four lots to designate which areas will be renovated for residential use and which will be for common use such as parking lots and courtyards.
The commission unanimously approved the request.
"Anything that is going to enhance these buildings and add economic growth to the county, I'm all for," commission member Hal Keck said.
But, the subdivision wasn't the only Borden Lofts item on the commission's agenda.
Members also discussed an upcoming public hearing scheduled for the Feb. 18 City Council meeting on rezoning of the property on the east and west sides of North William Street between Royall Avenue and Tarboro Street from general industry to the city's most dense residential zoning.
The commission recommended approval of two items that were held for public hearing at the City Council's Jan. 17 meeting.
The first was a request by Dustin Pennington for a conditional use permit to operate a used car lot on property located on the west side of North William Street between Patetown Road and North U.S. 117 Bypass. No one spoke for or against the issue at the council's hearing.
The second hearing was on a request from Dr. George Silver for a conditional use permit to allow the operation of an animal hospital with enclosed pens and runs on property on the east side of U.S. 117 bypass between Hooks River Road and Patetown Road. The site currently operates as a veterinary clinic. No one spoke at the hearing.
In other business, the commission denied a subdivision request from Carwell Associates for property on the Lionel Street between Mulberry and Walnut streets and approved six site and landscape plans, including a lighting plan for the proposed McDonald's on N.C. 111 and a plan for converting a former Ford dealership into a pawn shop, body shop, warehouse and car wash/detail shop on property located on the corner of Ash and Daisy streets.