The historically black West End community in Mebane could see two additional new homes, based on the recommendations from the city’s planning board this week.
A developer, Kelby Bauer, wants to rezone the current half-acre lot at 715 Roosevelt Street from R-20 residential to R-8 in order to build two single family homes, each with a two-car garage.
The long, narrow lots (about 50 x 200 feet) have been treated as one historically, development director Ashley Ownbey explained to the city’s planning board Monday night.
After looking at a sketch of the proposed construction, planning board vice chairman Colin Cannell described the front of the house as “a garage with a door on it.”
One Roosevelt Street resident, Carlos Cruz, spoke about his concerns with parking, given the narrow streets in the area, but Bauer emphasized the two car garage, as well as parking for two additional cars in front of the garage.
The planning board ultimately voted unanimously, 7-0, to recommend the rezoning to Mebane’s city council, which will consider the issue at its November 2 meeting. In a change from its usual first Monday meeting date, the city council will meet next Tuesday, October 20.
Voting in favor were: Cannell, chairman Judy Taylor, and board members Dalton Mack, Gale Pettiford, David Scott, Susan Semonite, and Edward Tulauskas. Keith Hoover and William Chapman were absent.
Also approved Monday was a rezoning request for a lot at 106 and 108 South Second Street, which the Hernandez family hopes to convert from R-12 residential to B-1 (downtown business) district. The lot has a duplex on it, and Maria Hernandez was required to seek the rezoning in light of the fact that the home has been vacant for the past six months.
Also adopted was a text amendment that explicitly outlines that a duplex can be allowed in a B-1 district.
Both were approved unanimously, 7-0, by the same configuration of board members.
