The one-acre tract is at 6266 U.S. 601, just south of the Wagon Wheel Barn Dance and near the closed Village Pantry.

Grady Holshouser Jr., the property owner, and Eric Davis, who wants to buy the land and open the restaurant, voluntarily agreed to several restrictions, including a signed pledge not to sell any type of alcoholic beverages.

“Our intent is for a small, family restaurant and not to offend the residents of this community,” Davis and Holshouser wrote in a letter to the Planning Board.

At the meeting, Davis agreed to block off the driveway and parking area after hours, preventing people from loitering and disturbing neighbors.

They said the restaurant will be an asset, keeping people from driving miles to get food.

A clump of 12 neighbors went to the microphone and took turns citing potential problems with noise, traffic, crime and harm to property values.

One man said he didn’t want to see a neon sign for “Joe’s Bar & Grill” in his bedroom window.

“What if he wanted to build this across from your house?” Scott Allmon asked Planning Board members. He asked what a “choke and puke” would do to their property values.

Vice Chairman William Yow, commended Holshouser for voluntarily withdrawing his earlier request and resubmitting it as a conditional use request. By submitting to the conditional use permit, Holshouser and Davis gave the county much more control of the business.

Yow noted the rezoning got a favorable recommendation from the Planning Board last month, and Holshouser didn’t need to take the additional steps.

Yow suggested a restaurant is an asset to the community.

As Planning Board members appeared ready to vote on the request, opponents questioned whether the zoning could be changed in the future.

Chairman John Linker said anyone can request a rezoning on their property.

Board member Andy Hinson cast the only vote against the request, which now goes to the Rowan County Board of Commissioners for a hearing and final action.

In other business, County Planner Marion Lytle updated the board:

• On a new advisory organization working on the Interstate 85 corridor.

Lytle said the Sustainable Community Development Commission will host a public session on I-85 in April.

County commissioners recently endorsed the Sustainable Development group, which may be the only one of its type in North Carolina. It includes representatives from municipalities, the county and diverse interests, from agricultural to business and the environment.

• On a court case in Charlotte that could change zoning procedures across the state.

The challenge questions how local boards issue conditional use zoning. If the suit is successful, the county may have to conduct separate hearings for rezoning and conditional use permits. Currently, the rezoning and permit process are handled in one hearing.

“The goal has been to jump through as few hoops as possible,” said Lytle.