Zoning request garners concern
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on September 21, 2016 9:57 AM
A proposed event center in a residential area along Leslie Street raised concerns from a group of neighbors during Monday night's Goldsboro City Council meeting.
Property owner Patrick Gallagher is asking city officials for a conditional-use permit to operate a bed and breakfast, at 112 N. Leslie St., and another building as an activity center for parties, receptions and other similar uses.
Gallagher, who owns a 2.3 acre site on Leslie Street, between Mulberry and Walnut streets, is making the request after being denied a rezoning request in March to change the residential district to a general business conditional district.
The council denied the March request because the area is recommended for high density residential use in the city's land-use plan. Gallagher is now asking to keep the property residential but permitted for a conditional use, limited to buildings being used for a bed and breakfast and activity center.
Residents spoke during a public hearing for the proposed zoning change.
"This is not a good idea," said Rick Roberts, an East Mulberry resident. "I feel like, actually that, Mr. Gallagher is trying to pull a fast one on us. This is the same thing with a different name. He's trying to fool you, and he's trying to fool us, but we ain't fooled are we?"
Keisha James, who also lives on East Mulberry, said the area doesn't need a business until crime and other neighborhood problems improve.
"We have too much crime," she said. "We have too much walking around -- street walkers -- there are a lot of things going on down there."
Lisa Wiggins, with Southern Touch Weddings and Events, said the businesses would add to the city by offering jobs and a location for weddings and events.
"We've got the downtown area growing and thriving once again," she said. "This bed and breakfast and activity building would be another added success to our area.
"It can host small groups, business meetings, receptions, etc. It is peaceful and secluded within the property. It is private, and it is gated. It is secure."
Gallagher also spoke during the public hearing and said the property would be well-lit. The parking lot would be enclosed inside the property fence and off-duty police would be hired for certain events.
When Gallagher spoke before the council, two residents grimaced and slouched in their seats.
"We just want to make the best use of it," Gallagher said of the property. "We're not going to let parties go on into the night."
Resident Bill Keel told the council it needed to think through the request to determine whether the business is a good fit for the area.
"I do worry about some people's intentions," Keel said.
The property includes Gallagher's 5,467-square-foot home, a 2,251-square-foot building proposed as the event site and a 1,200-square-foot guest house proposed as a future bed and breakfast.
A greenhouse, storage building and pool house are also located on the property.
The request will be reviewed by the Goldsboro Planning Commission Monday and a commission recommendation will be made to the council, which will review the permit request on Oct. 3.
The property owner is asking for several modifications from zoning requirements. As part of the approval criteria, a bed and breakfast needs to be located on a major or minor thoroughfare or collector street. The property is located on a secondary street.
The owner is asking that the business be allowed on a secondary street and also asks that the building not be required to be attached to the primary residence. Another modification request includes a wavier from interconnectivity requirements on the property.
The project includes a proposed 70 space parking area.
Also during the meeting, the council voted unanimously to deny a conditional-use permit request at 1923 N. William St., near the Playground Nightclub.
Councilman Bill Broadaway said the denial was based on concerns about crime and other associated activity in the area.
"The council finds that the request may materially endanger the public health or welfare due to concerns expressed from the police department citing a long and documented history of crime and violence within the development where the tattoo establishment proposes to locate," Broadaway said.
The council decided to delay another conditional-use permit decision for a tattoo parlor, at 605 E. Ash St., across the street from First Free Will Baptist Church.