LUMBERTON - by Lauren Huet Tonight many families in a Lumberton neighborhood tell KFDM they are happy and relieved that city council failed to approve plans for a 24-hour convenience store near their homes. Cheers broke out after council failed to pass the zoning change that would have allowed the Stripes convenience store to open near Boykin Estates. The property owner said it would create dozens of jobs. Critics worried about the impact on their peace, quiet, safety, and security. In the end, although a majority of council voted for the change, it needed one more vote to pass. A full parking lot and standing room only Monday night at Lumberton City Council. Families that live in the Boykin Estates subdivision spoke out against a proposal to rezone a piece of property at the corner of Cobblestone and Highway 69. The lot is at the entrance to the neighborhood. "If the change is made," said one resident, speaking to council at the hearing, "any type of 24-hour-business could go in at the entrance to Boykin, which would hurt both the safety and the property values in the community." "One is the increased traffic in the neighborhood," said a concerned man, "second is preserving the integrity of our family friendly neighborhood." Residents voiced their concerns. Saying Cobblestone Lane is already a busy road, and the 24-hour-convenience store would exacerbate the problem. "Three of my four children go up and down Cobblestone all the time," said another man. "If this zoning change happens they won't be going up and down Cobblestone anymore. It won't be allowed." Families worried rezoning the property to allow a 24-hour business will harm their community. "Will have a negative impact on their quality of life," said resident Marla McKinstry, "and their property and their safety." Dale Williford owns the property. He says rezoning the land to allow a 24-hour Stripes convenience store would benefit the community and create 35 to 40 jobs. "They will bring sales tax revenue to the city, which is the major funding source for the city," said Dale Williford, "and the tax revenue for the school district, and the mud, and the county." "We're a little disappointed by the opposition to it," said Richard Bills, who represents Stripes Convenience Stores, "because we think Stripes is a first class business that you would appreciate having in your city." "The minimum decrease in property values is about five percent," said Guy VanCleve. Guy VanCleve opposes the change. He spoke out at the hearing, and earlier in the day he gathered signatures for a petition to formally oppose the zoning change. That's what made the difference in Monday's vote. "The city has received a formal written protest," the city attorney told council. The city attorney says, that means six votes are required to pass the change. Mayor Don Surratt and Councilman Dan Bell voted against the change. Councilmember Lynette Barks, Councilmember Steven Templeton, Mayor Pro Tem Kenneth Wahl, Councilmember Sharon Spears, and Councilmember David Maniscalco voted for the change. The five votes in favor fell one short. Prompting the crowd to cheer and the property owner to leave disappointed. Earlier this month the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended council deny the property owner's rezoning request, saying it wasn't in the best interest of the neighborhood or the city. LUMBERTON - Lumberton residents cheered when a proposed zoning change that would have allowed a 24 hour convenience store near their Boykin Place subdivision failed to pass by one vote. The vote in favor of the change was 5-2, but because a resident had f

• published: 18 Sep 2015
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