One step closer: Zoning change approved for new development on Pine Street

The former Bank of America building on Pine Street is one step closer to coming down following the approval of a zoning change by the Highlands Board of Commissioners.

During Thursday’s board meeting a public hearing was held to address the potential zoning assignment for Pine Holdings LLC’s property adjacent to Kelsey-Hutchinson Founder’s Park.

“Pine Holdings LLC has requested a conditional zoning change from B-3 commercial to B-2 commercial in order to start development of a property at 424 Pine Street,” Highlands Town Planner Michael Mathis said. “The planning board reviewed the request during their March meeting and approved it with the condition that the traffic pattern into Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park be changed. That change has since been made. Additionally, the zoning board reviewed the request in March and approved it as well.”

Project manager Jeff Weller, with Summit Architecture, explained to the planning board in March that the zoning change was needed due to the difference in setback requirements between B-3 and B-2.

“The only advantage to going to B-2 is that the setbacks are different than B-3 and we need that wiggle room to put the buildings closer to the sidewalk,” Weller said. “The design is not only pedestrian friendly, but it also adds parking spaces.”

The proposed development would demolish the current building and create three new structures with retail space on the first floor and residential space on the second floor. The property would also include a two-level parking deck.

Much like other commercial buildings on Main Street and 4th Street, the structures will be adjacent to the sidewalk with walkways and green space between buildings, thus necessitating the zoning change to accommodate the lack of setback from the sidewalk.

“We have two loading zones, per the town requirements, and both of those are accessible via Carolina Way,” Weller said on Thursday.

There was some discussion during the planning board’s review of the conditional zoning request regarding the lower level of the parking deck entering and exiting the property via Pine Street into Founder’s Park. In order not to disrupt events that are held in the park each year, the plans were amended and the entrance and exit to the parking deck will now be accessed via Carolina Way.

Commissioner Marc Hehn made a motion to approve the zoning change and the motion was approved unanimously.

- By Ryan Hanchett