With its action, the board recommends a special office-institutional zoning (B-1-S) for the lots at 108,109 and 110 Highland Avenue. The existing zoning is single-family residential (R-8).

Sapona Land Co., which represents a group of doctors, and Kenneth Martin, who owns 110 Highland Ave., jointly asked for the rezoning.

Dr. Doug Shellhorn has been speaking for the Sapona Land Co.

The Planning Board held a special meeting Tuesday after members expressed concern earlier this month that continued committee meetings and delays might jeopardize the doctors’ plan to construct a new medical office building in the area.

Sapona Land Co. also owns four lots in an area bounded by Mocksville Avenue and Barker Street, but it needed the Highland Avenue lots for its total plan.

The existing B-1 zoning on the four other lots did not have to be changed, although the doctors originally requested a hospital services district (HS) for all seven lots.

A “special” district allows the zoning to be more restrictive than the existing zoning, which in this case is B-1, but not less restrictive.

The “special” designation on Highland Avenue will require site plan review by the Planning Board on any proposed development. Uses allowed in this B-1-S district would include medical clinics and offices, dental clinics and offices, automobile parking lots and accessory uses and structures.

Other restrictions call for a 10-foot side-yard setback, instead of the normal 5-foot setback of B-1. If next to a residential district, the side-yard setback must be 15 feet, instead of the normal 10. The rear-yard setback will increase to at least 30 feet (instead of 20 feet), if next to a residential district.

The Planning Board recommendation goes to Salisbury City Council.