FOUR OAKS -- The Board of Commissioners on Monday rezoned the 224 acres on which a real-estate development firm hopes to build the Four Oaks Business Park.

Linwood Byrd, representing his family's surveying business, said the property was purchased from three families and lies within the town's current extraterritorial planning jurisdiction. The remaining 158 acres on which Charlotte-based Keith Corp. hopes to draw manufacturing, warehousing, biotech and other businesses are under the county's planning jurisdiction.

The County of Johnston gave the town permission to extend its ETJ on Jan. 7. But Four Oaks leaders haven’t yet voted on the measure. The town board on Monday tabled for one month a discussion on the ETJ extension.

Byrd said the property rezoned Monday had been zoned for housing and farming. But the board's decision Monday night means the land will now be zoned for light industrial use. He said he expected the same requirements would apply to the remainder of the business park’s property should it come under the town’s jurisdiction.

Also on Monday, council members voted to begin charging a fee for returned checks from utility customers. Town Clerk Sherri Morris said the town had never before charged such a fee. Customers will now pay $25 if their checks bounce.