By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer

A handful of zoning changes and housekeeping issues kept the Whiteville City Council busy Tuesday.

One of the measures approved involved two parcels in the Lowe’s Home Improvement Center project.

The sprawling project, which is due to be completed in December, is located at the intersection of U.S. 701 and N.C. 130. The property is a combination of several tracts, and two parcels were still zoned RA-20 for residential or agricultural uses.

The remainder of the Lowe’s property is zoned B-3, or commercial business.

The two RA-20 tracts are located on N.C. 130, across from Leslie Newsome Avenue. City maps give the property an address of 100 Green Hill Drive.

City Planning Director Lainie Johnston explained that the Lowe’s site plan calls for using the two RA-20 tracts for storm water management purposes.

The council approved the request after Councilman Robert Leder asked a question voiced by a number of area residents of late.
“How are people going to get into the Joe’s Banquet Hall?” Leder asked. The popular eating establishment is located behind the Lowe’s property.

Johnston said the developers will build a new road from N.C. 130 allowing access to the banquet hall, which is often the location of large meetings and other events.

In other action, the council approved a request by Anthony Robinson of Elizabethtown to change the zoning at 719 Washington Street to allow a new bail bondsman’s office.

The council also held off on final approval for the Beautiful Light Inn annexation until issues regarding fire coverage for the area could be ironed out with Brunswick Fire Department. Developers of the property, which is owned by The News Reporter publisher James C. High Jr., requested annexation of part of the property, which is outside the city limits.

Councilmen approved a resolution annexing the land, but will not complete the process until the fire protection contract is confirmed.

The council also approved a change to zoning code to note that handicapped parking meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards where applicable.