Burlington’s planning and zoning commission ultimately devoted its shortest discussion on Monday to what proved to be the single-largest parcel which came up for consideration that night.
The commission gave this relatively speedy all-clear to a request for light industrial zoning on some 17.22 acres designated for medium industrial use at the crossroads of Whites Kennel, Old Trail, and Anthony roads.
The commission endorsed this straightforward rezoning change after the applicant Nathan Burton provided a brief overview of his plans for the property.
“We’re not changing anything on the property itself,” Burton assured the commission’s members. “I’m just trying to get my dealer license to sell tractor trailers.”
Prior to Burton’s remarks, James Kirkpatrick, the commission’s newly-anointed vice chairman, asked to recuse himself from this particular item after describing himself as “a very dear friend of the applicant.” The rest of the commission indulged Kirkpatrick’s request, despite his admitted lack of a financial conflict of interest. The remaining members of group then voted 4-to-0 to endorse the request to Burlington’s city council.
