Muslim cemetery on Council Monday agenda
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on May 1, 2016 1:45 AM
A controversial issue that has been the subject of debate in City Hall for nearly a year will come to a head Monday night when the issue will be decided by the Goldsboro City Council.
The Goldsboro City Council will vote Monday night on whether or not to allow a rezoning of property at 506 Fedelon Trail that would permit the Islamic Center of Goldsboro to build a private cemetery.
But, unlike other matters that appeared before the council for a public hearing on April 18, the item does not appear on the council's agenda under its consent agenda, but instead is listed as an item requiring individual action.
This means a separate vote entirely will be held on the rezoning request from the Islamic Center of Goldsboro that will determine whether or not the center will be allowed to build its cemetery.
The city planning commission has recommended that the City Council approve the rezoning request to allow the private cemetery to be built.
The planning commission has also recommended that the council accept the submitted site and landscape plans for the cemetery, on the condition the plans are amended to include paving of the drive from the existing parking lot at 506 Fedelon Trail to the cemetery once it is built; reconfiguring the drive so that traffic can turn around and exit the cemetery once it is built; and the cemetery's property line is set back an additional 50 feet from the eastern property line, where there is a private residence, and an additional 25 feet from the northern property line, where there is vacant farmland.
To approve the city planning commission's recommendation, a council member will need to make a motion that the council do so, then another council member will need to second the motion to approve the rezoning, and then a vote will be taken. A vote to deny the rezoning request could also be taken if a council member makes the opposite motion. It could break either way since the issue appears as an item requiring individual action.
Three other issues that appeared before the City Council on April 18 for public hearings now appear on Monday night's consent agenda, and are all recommended for approval by the city planning commission.
Reginald White Jr. requested a conditional use permit from the city to operate an events center with ABC permits on the east side of U.S. 117 South between Old Mount Olive Highway and the Neuse River.
The center is proposed to be used for corporate events, private functions, birthday parties and more.
Hours the center will operate will vary, but events will not extend beyond 2 a.m. for night time activities.
This item is slated for approval Monday night by the council.
A business in the making on the west side of North John Street and East Mulberry Street -- Goldsboro Brew Works -- requested a conditional use permit from the city to operate a place of entertainment with ABC permits that would consist of retail sales, a taproom and brewery.
Three units near the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp.'s office are being renovated for the business. One unit will be used as a taproom with a bar and seating area, one unit will be used for retail sales and the third unit will be used as office space.
The applicant has also proposed potentially developing a brewery at the location in the future, as well as apartments above the business.
This item is expected to be approved by the City Council Monday night.
Wooten Development requested a conditional use permit from the city for the operation of retail businesses on the southwest corner of U.S. 117 South and Vann Street.
Permits have previously been approved for the location for used car lot and weekend flea market, and Wooten Development wishes to add the allowance of storage building sales on the property to increase the chance of a steady tenant renting out the property.
This item is also expected to be approved at the council's meeting Monday night.
The council's work session to discuss its agenda begins at 5 p.m. Monday night in room 206 of the City Hall annex.
The regular meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall.