SALISBURY — The city’s Planning Board met Tuesday to discuss a zoning variance request and two rezoning requests.

Doug Alles of Buller River Development requested approval to expand the front build line requirement for an infill lot from 42.5 feet to 62.5 feet. The property is in the 1300 block of Faith Road.

Board members discussed other avenues with Alles, such as rotating the house on the property.

Chairman Bill Wagoner said it would be a variance either way since the house is on a corner.

Randy Reamer said it would not be noticeable since it’s on the corner.

Alles assured the board that the company has looked at every option.

The board unanimously approved his request.

The Planning Board discussed the first phase of the community interest conversion rezoning, starting with 25 properties in multiple zones on major roads.

Two church leaders spoke during a public hearing in favor of the rezoning because it would allow them to use an electronic message center.

Development and Code Services Manager Preston Mitchell said as the board works through the phases and gets to residential areas, it should expect more people to come to public hearings.

“It’s not an all-or-nothing,” Mitchell said about whether property owners can opt out of the rezoning.

The board approved the first phase of the rezoning. The issue will not go to the City Council.

The board discussed rezoning property at Trexler Loop and Seventh Street from general residential to rural residential to allow Daphni Piero Sciortino to offer a grooming service there.

Some of the parcels are split between rural residential and general residential zoning. The city has initiatives to rezone them to have one classification.

Mitchell said he had mostly positive feedback about rezoning the area to be rural residential.

Tammy Pinkston, who said she and her family own several of the parcels, spoke against the change, saying her neighbors outside the area are breeding dogs and does not want to attract more dogs to the area.

The board got into a lengthy discussion about the differences in classifications for grooming and breeders. The board agreed to table the conversation until the next meeting to address some possible discrepancies for property owners with in-house animal businesses. 

The Planning Board will next meet at 4 p.m. Nov. 13 in the City Council chambers.