The Petitioner is requesting an amendment of the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) from Residential Suburban Single-Family Character Area to Industry Light Character Area for the subject parcels adjacent to Rockingham Farms on Buckhalter Road. The parcels have a combined area of 52.86 acres. The subject parcels are currently developed as single-family residences. The petitioner’s intent is to combine these parcels with the larger Rockingham Farms Industrial tract. 

The ten subject parcels each have an average size of 5 acres with the 343 Buckhalter Road parcel being the largest in size at 16.9 acres. The parcels are large rural tracts facing Buckhalter Road (a two-laned road) with single-family residences. The rear of the properties abut the 100-acre Industrial Parcel which has access from Veterans Parkway and is a part of a larger Industrial Park on both sides of Veterans Parkway. Character Areas in the Comprehensive Plan (Plan 2024) are intended to work in partnership with the FLUM to set a cohesive countywide vision for responsible growth over the next twenty years.  The Character Areas are not intended to represent or guide future zoning; however, it should be considered in tandem with the FLUM when policy makers consider land development. Character Areas are places defining characteristics, such as development intensity or available resources. Identifying community character across Chatham County is an important step in making compatible future land use decisions. 

Suburban Industrial character areas generally contain large-footprint buildings and businesses that accommodate warehousing, light industrial, manufacturing, office spaces, and other uses such as airports and landfills. All these uses come with unique needs and building forms. A large extent of the Suburban Industrial character area is located between I-95 and Dean Forest Road from I-16 north to the Savannah River. Large surface parking lots and truck loading bays are common in this area. Suburban Industrial areas should look to landscaping requirements in order to screen development from the right-of-way and neighboring properties. Additionally, as these areas often contain large employment centers, special attention should be paid to transit connectivity – particularly links to urban and suburban residential areas.

Suburban Residential character areas include low and medium density developments. Generally, this character area features either single-family structures on large lots or medium lot residential subdivisions with relatively uniform housing types and densities. However, multi-family apartments and attached single-family residential subdivisions are also prevalent in this area. Local streets are laid out in curvilinear patterns, with occasional cul-de-sacs and limited sidewalks. Suburban residential areas adjacent to Suburban Commercial character areas should, to the extent possible, be designed as cohesive, connected neighborhoods. Alternative types of housing options should be encouraged in suburban areas to accommodate multi-generational households, seniors, and others. 

In the interest of preserving the rural character and intent of Plan 2040 for a desired future growth pattern of low-density suburban residential development, MPC Staff recommended approval of the Future Land Use Map amendment to reflect a split character area designation of Light Industrial extending 800 feet to the north and east of the rear property line, and Residential-General from the front property line adjoining Buckhalter Road and extending 800 feet to the south and west.

On July 25, 2023, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the amendment to the Future Land Use Map from Residential Suburban to Industry light for the subject parcels [343 and 339 Buckhalter Road (10942 01003 & -01002A), 335 Buckhalter Road (10942 01002B), 331 Buckhalter Road (10942 01002C), 325 Buckhalter Road (10942 01002D), 323 Buckhalter Road (10942 01002F), 315 Buckhalter Road (10942 01002E), 309 Buckhalter Road (10942 01007 & -01008), and 311 Buckhalter Road (10942 01009)] with the condition that 350 feet of vegetative buffer extend southwest from Buckhalter Road toward the Rockingham Farms industrial site.