CHINA GROVE — Business owner Jesse Link can move forward with relocating his barber shop now that the town board approved a zoning request.

Five months ago Link, who owns South End barber shop, requested property he purchased at North Main Street be rezoned from light industrial to commercial business. The board approved that request Tuesday night.

The change means Link can implement a parking lot expansion project without being required to place shrubbery or other landscaping “screen,” just grass.

The change in zoning also means any business that locates at the former mill site, adjacent to Link’s business, will also be commercial business. Town Planner Andy Goodall recommended the change, which is consistent with surrounding property.

Link’s attorney, Jeremy Carter, was the only person who spoke during a public hearing at the board meeting.

The business owner bought the old Tuscarora Yarns mill office at 404 N. Main St., and made his initial request months ago at a planning board meeting. He’s been working to move the barber shop from its current South Main Street location to the half-acre site across from the China Grove Fire Department.

Carter told the board the change seemed consistent with other downtown businesses. He said he was encouraged the mill site property owner, -JW Demolition of Charlotte, had also shown interest in similarly rezoning the mill property.

Link thanked the board for its decision. He expects to be open for business in early March.

“We are excited to get you moved up town,” Mayor Don Bringle said.

The board also hopes to recoup $129,000 from the county for lost sales tax revenue following a 2010 Census debacle, robbing the town of more than 800 people in its count.

The count showed the town had about 827 less people than it had in the previous census count. Town officials have said they believe the difference came about when census takers did not count a portion of residents who had been annexed into the town limits several years ago.

It took the town nearly a year to petition and subsequently prove it had more than the census initially counted.

Interim Town Manager Ken Deal said he sent an email to Rowan County Manager Gary Page requesting the money be paid to China Grove. Deal said he’s waiting on a reply from Page.

Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.