GRANITE QUARRY — The Granite Quarry Town Council voted on Monday to approve a rezoning that would allow for an expansion of the existing apartment complex in the 400 block of West Bank Street.

The rezoning was requested by property owner Joe Mathis and asked for two properties to be rezoned from Single-Family Residential 3 to Mixed Use 1, which would allow for townhomes or multi-family housing. One of the properties, which does not have a numbered address yet, was owned directly by Mathis while the other, 428 W. Bank St., was owned by his company JFM Properties of Rowan.

The MU-1 district is aimed at allowing opportunities for “businesses and various housing designs sharing community amenities and enhancements,” according to the town’s development ordinances. The district’s main usages are residential-, retail- and office-related.

Mathis said that he was applying for the rezoning so that he could add more housing around the existing apartments on adjacent properties. He said that while he did not have any concrete plans for the properties, the property would likely be built with “townhome-like applications.”

Planning, Zoning and Subdivision Administrator Rick Flowe noted that with the rezoning, the property would simply be made to match the two adjacent properties that are both owned by Mathis’ company.

“The idea would be to have an additional property added to the situation that I have, where the idea would be to be able to better expand the development and to grow that property in a way that would have curb appeal and add density to the area,” said Mathis.

The properties consist of approximately 2.3 acres when taken together.

After the discussion, Council Member John Linker moved to approve the rezoning, citing the town planning board’s unanimous recommendation of approval. Planning Board Vice-Chair Jared Mathis abstained from the discussion and vote due to a conflict of interest as Joe Mathis’ son. The rezoning was approved by the town council unanimously.

In other news from the town council meeting:

• Todd Taylor was sworn in as the Granite Quarry-Faith Joint Police Authority Chief along with new Granite Quarry Police Officer Jzanese Weekes.
• Town manager Jason Hord introduced new Assistant Public Works Director Josh Whitley.
• The town council approved an $11,000 budget amendment, which will be used to purchase new Granite Quarry-branded street signs.