BY DEBBIE PAGE
debbiepage.iredellfreenews@gmail.com

After a public outpouring of concern at a community meeting on the Troutman Logistics project, the Troutman Town Council voted 4 to1 to delay the public hearing on the matter until its December 9 meeting.

Council member Paul Henkel recommended the delay after receiving numerous calls about the project since the community meeting on Monday. “I want all to be heard. Some think it’s an economic boon; others think it’s horrendous,” he said.

Henkel wants to make sure the residents are protected while at the same time promoting “smart commercial growth.” He noted that the public will have opportunities to give input on the project at the October 25 Planning and Zoning Meeting and the December 9 Town Council meeting before any decision is made.

Saying he had neither a positive or negative opinion of the project, Henkel urged people to “get involved, come to a meeting, and let your voice be heard.”

The planning staff received the application for a conditional rezoning and annexation request for the project, an approximate 1.7-million-square-foot fulfillment center located near Exit 42 with access points along S. Main Street, Ostwalt Amity Road and Perry Road.

The Planning Board is scheduled to make an advisory recommendation after hearing staff recommendations and a public comment period on October 25.

The request for the site, currently in Iredell County Residential Agricultural zoning, is for Troutman’s conditional heavy industrial zoning to accommodate the project.

Council member Eddie Nau voted against the hearing delay.

OTHER PROJECTS

The public hearing for annexation of the Wagner Street Townehomes project, a 66-unit development located on a 13-acre site on the east side of Wagner Street south of its intersection with Era Street, is still scheduled for the November meeting, after consideration by the Planning and Zoning Board in October.

The property owner is asking to change the zoning from Suburban Residential to Conditional Mixed Residential.

The Rocky Creek project’s conditional rezoning request for approximately 55 acres located on Charlotte Highway north of the Exit 42 interchange is also planned for the November Town Council docket after Planning and Zoning Board consideration later this month.

The proposal includes 264 single-family residential units along with approximately two acres of commercial development outparcels. The developers are asking that the property, currently zoned Iredell County Residential Agricultural, be changed to Conditional Mixed Residential if annexed.

DIGITAL INTERSTATE BILLBOARDS

Though the Planning and Zoning Board recommended denial of the request, the council followed staff recommendations and approved a digital billboard text amendment for the Unified Development Ordinance in the I-77 Exit 42 area by a 4 to 1 vote, with George Harris dissenting.

The text amendment allows electronic billboards in a specific I-77 corridor in compliance with state and federal guidelines. The staff recommendation stated that the billboards will “promote local economic prosperity, encouraging a dynamic means of communication in the town, civic pride, quality of life, and allow for emergency management messaging for local and state authorities.”

The amendment limits digital billboards to two in this corridor. A static position of 8 seconds per message is allowed, with flashing messages prohibited. The signs can change up to 8 times per cycle, with one of those messages reserved for public use at the town’s discretion.

The maximum size is limited to 14 feet by 48 feet per sign face, with a maximum height of 50 feet. Both sides of the billboard may be illuminated.

Chris Carney, who brought the request to council, told council members that static signs were “out-of-date” and that the signs will help bring attention to local businesses and events. “The time has come to update that.”

Carney noted that the Cornelius area has several of these signs, which bring “bang for the buck.” He also noted that law enforcement can take over the signs in times of emergency or for Amber Alerts.

BIKE/PEDESTRIAN PLAN INPUT SOUGHT

Associate Planner Andrew Ventresca announced a virtual public meeting on October 21 at 5:30 p.m. for residents to share their ideas for a new bike and pedestrian plan for Troutman. The town received a grant to update its plan.

The Zoom meeting can be accessed at https://vhb.zoom.us/j/82923364778pwd=UzJTaDNIM2ZXalhKYVlIN3g3QnNLQT09. The meeting passcode is 894319.

Residents can also take a survey through October 31 at https://live.metroquestsurvey.com/?u=ug8b8a#!/campaign=web&kiosk=true&p=web&pm=dynamic&s=1&popup=WTD to give their input.

TROUTMAN FIRE AND RESCUE REPORT

Troutman Fire and Rescue Chief Wesley Morris said the department has taken delivery of two new fire apparatus. The new rescue pumper and a 2,000-gallon tanker were ordered over a year ago and are currently being equipped to meet department needs.

Morris said the new equipment should be in service within the month.

Eight full-time staff also recently completed a 120-hour technical rescuer class to earn state certification. This general rescue class prepares them to take more specialized rescue courses in the future.

A week-long vehicle rescue class is planned for next week at the department’s training area on the CATS campus.

Morris also announced that three new staff members will start on October 25 to fully staff the department.

The planning for the Station 3 upfit is still in process, with plans currently being completed, added Morris.

OTHER BUSINESS

♦ The council voted unanimously to approve a Falls Cove water line extension ($17,965) and the purchase of additional sewer capacity from Mooresville ($233,220).

♦ The Speedway truck stop annexation and rezoning (Highway Business) at Charlotte Highway and Lexus Drive (between Bojangles and Wendys) was unanimously approved.

♦ The Superior Properties rezoning request for a proposed restaurant on a 1-acre site at the southeast corner of Highway 21 and Building Center Avenue (across the street from Taco Bell) was unanimously approved. Developers will later ask for annexation to connect to town utilities.

♦ Annexation of 1.36 acres on Winecoff Street for The Meadows development was approved to clean up annexation of a portion of the property left out of an earlier annexation request.

♦ The council tabled consideration of approval of accessory structures at Detailed Design and Customs until the structures are moved to the required property line 10 foot setback.

Members also approved the Design and Review Board Rules of Procedure and revisions to the Troutman Schedule of Fees, including a $10 fee for finger printing, $500 charge for a “water thief” and for “meter tampering,” and the removal of a $2 per bin charge for additional garbage receptacles.

Consideration of the Wastewater Agreement between Children’s Hope Alliance, Iredell County, and Troutman was moved to the November 10 council meeting. The Winecoff Village annexation and rezoning was once again delayed, this time to the December 9 council meeting.

The council also held a closed session to discuss economic development after the regular meeting.