Deacon's Expansion Plan Now Up to Voters

Council passed legislation to rezone two residential properties on Wilson Mills Road for use by . The rezoning now has to be approved by voters in the Nov. 8 general election.

"We're passing it to go to the ballot for voters to vote on it," Council President William Buckholtz said at Monday's council meeting.

Deacon's has a $2.5 million expansion project planned that would include a 12,574-square-foot addition to the showroom, which would add the Dodge and Ram product lines.

The residential properties being rezoned are needed to store cars, said James W. Deacon, company president.

"For our business model, I need these extra spaces to pay for the renovation," he said.

He said a letter will be mailed to registered voters explaining the rezoning issue and Deacon's expansion plans. Deacon also said he invites residents to discuss the issue with him.

"We're really cognizant of protecting the residential areas with the buffer space," Deacon said.

A 40-foot buffer space is planned between the back of the car lot and the closest residential property.