Ken Caldaro, who operates CIERE Enterprises LLC, requested the special use permit to upfit a building at 3270 Durham Rd. to accommodate a fruit juice manufacturing and packaging facility.

City of Roxboro Planning Director Julie Kelly said the building Caldaro is leasing for the business formerly housed the Softex facility.

Caldaro reportedly is leasing the property from its current owner, Angelo Nicastro, but does have an option to purchase the facility.

Caldaro said CIERE produces “all types” of fruit juices and that he plans to begin production at the site in “a few months.”

“Everyone has been more than welcoming,” Caldaro said. “My experience has been more than pleasurable.”

Kelly told council that Caldaro’s initial plans for the facility are to employ around five people, however, that number could expand in the future.

She went on to say that the city’s Planning Board recommended approval of the special use permit during its meeting Monday night “contingent upon [Caldaro’s obtaining] all state and local permits, which he is in the process of getting now.”

Kelly told council that due to the city’s zoning ordinance, a special use permit was needed for the site since the proposed use will be on an 8.77-acre tract of land that is zoned Highway Business (B-1).

“Permitting special uses adds flexibility to the ordinance by allowing uses, subject to high standards of planning and design that would not otherwise be acceptable in the zoning district,” Kelly wrote in a memo to council.

Councilman Mark Phillips’ motion for approval of the permit passed without dissent.