By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — Before long, it’ll be “Bo time” on U.S. 29.

Bojangles’ plans to open a restaurant in China Grove near the intersection of East Liberty Street and U.S. 29. The China Grove Town Council last week gave its approval to two zoning requests related to the restaurant. It’s unclear when the store might open.

China Grove Mayor Lee Withers on Wednesday said the Bojangles’ restaurant will be the latest in a number of positive things for the southern Rowan County town.

“We’ve got a lot of great stuff going on, and we welcome any and all development and we’re excited,” Withers said. “It’s going to be the 18th restaurant where you can find some type of edible food in China Grove. I’m not sure how we became a mecca to dine, but it’s great.”

The Town Council unanimously approved Bojangles’ zoning requests, which included a conditional-use permit to allow a drive-through and rezoning a parcel from a residential to highway business classification.

Town Planner Franklin Gover said it will be a corporate-run restaurant rather than one operated by a franchisee. A representative in Bojangles’ corporate office could not be reached Wednesday to comment about the restaurant’s opening in China Grove.

Next up, Gover said, Bojangles’ will submit a “major site plan,” which will be reviewed by the town before construction begins.

A couple of residents who live near the property have expressed opposition to the proposed Bojangles’, which would be on the edge of a cluster of houses and adjacent to a strip mall that has a Domino’s Pizza restaurant, a tanning salon and other stores.

Concerns included noise, traffic and the possibility of property value decreasing. A representative of Bojangles’ said during the Town Council meeting that the concerns can be addressed through site planning, screening and landscaping.

In a motion to approve Bojangles’ rezoning requests, Councilman Brandon Linn said the proposed store would be consistent with the town’s land use plan because of its proximity to U.S. 29 and the existing strip mall.

A Realtor expressed concern about the property value of a client and other neighbors. Council members said there was no evidence presented to show that property values would be affected.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.