Suffolk News-Herald

John Yeates Middle School could be getting an unexpected 4,000-square-foot addition.

The Suffolk City Council unanimously approved a request to rezone 126 acres in the Harbour View community from industrial to residential, a move that will allows 356 new homes to be built in the growing northern Suffolk area, said Scott Mills, planning director. The new zoning allows 169 additional homes than previous zoning allowed.

In exchange, the developer, East West Partners, developers of the upscale Riverfront community, will build the addition – or contribute $705,000 to a city fund for future improvements at the school.

The developer’s proposal won deep praises from city lawmakers.

&uot;We’ve discussed … what constitutes smart growth,&uot; said Councilman Bobby Ralph. &uot;This meets and exceeds some of our highest expectations from developers. We’re delighted.&uot;

In other business, the council approved:

The addition of the Driver Village Plan to the 2018 Comprehensive Plan;

The addition of the Huntersville Initiatives Plan to the 2018 Comprehensive Plan;

A conditional use permit allowing Teda Barrows, owner of Attitude All Stars, to open an indoor cheering facility at 1258 Progress Road.