Graham’s city council readily approved a rezoning that will allow River Mill Academy, off South Main Street, to have more room for parking for special events. River Mill is the second largest charter school in the county.
The council approved the rezoning of a lot at 311 Cheeks Lane, immediately beside the school, unanimously, 5-0.
The .72-acre lot was rezoned from R-18 (Low Density Residential) to C-B (Conditional Business) for the purpose of developing a parking lot for their overflow parking at the school.
The planning board had recommended last month unanimously, 6-0, in favor of the rezoning, and no one appeared during a public hearing to oppose it on Tuesday.
Paul Koonts, an attorney representing the school, had told the planning board last month that the school was in “desperate need of additional parking.” The lot will add 41 parking spaces, he told the planning board, although that number may change, based on potential handicapped space(s).
A sidewalk will front the parking lot and connect to the sidewalk beside the school along Cheeks Lane.
The parking lot will have “directional and timed lighting,” Koonts explained at the time.
