The Pitt County Planning Board voted to recommend that the Board of Commissioners approve a request from Trip Holdings LLC to rezone 3.85 acres along U.S. 264 East from rural residential to general commercial, a change planning staff said would allow expansion of an existing dental practice and parking.

Planning staff summarized the request and said the site is on the southern side of U.S. 264 just east of Old Pactolus Road and that the county’s future land use map designates the area as “commercial crossroads.” Planning staff recommended approval, saying the request is consistent with the Envision Pitt County 2045 plan and noting an existing dental office already zoned general commercial adjoins the subject parcels.

“The proposed zoning is general commercial, which is intended to accommodate a range of retail, service, office, limited wholesale, and moderate density multifamily residential uses,” planning staff said, and concluded, “Planning staff does recommend approval of the requests.”

Scott Anderson, a local civil engineer who said he represents the applicant, described the project as an expansion of “the site of a current existing dental office that serves the community. It is very successful, and they need to expand,” and offered to answer questions from the board. Another supporter, Chris West, spoke briefly in favor.

Board member Steve Little moved to recommend approval and was seconded by Lyman Hardy; board members voted to carry the motion. Planning staff said the Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the rezoning request on August 18 at 6:00 p.m.

Because the planning board’s recommendation will go to the county commissioners, the recommendation does not itself rezone the parcels. Planning staff noted that future nonresidential uses will require site-plan approval and that standard site-plan and utility requirements apply.

Clarifying details from the technical presentation and staff comments: the rezoning request covers three parcels totaling 3.85 acres (parcel numbers identified in the staff presentation), the site has frontage and direct access to U.S. 264 East, and an existing dental facility owned by the applicant is adjacent. Planning staff said utilities in the immediate area are a mix of limited water service and on-site septic.

The planning board’s recommendation packet lists the applicable local planning guidance (Envision Pitt County 2045) and standard county site-plan and zoning requirements; the staff presentation said further approvals (site plan, access permits) will be required before development proceeds.

The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for a public hearing on August 18.