FROM STAFF REPORTS
The Mooresville Town Board of Commissioners on Monday approved an amendment to the town’s Unified Development Ordinance to allow for a limited number of permanent and temporary open air agricultural markets in town limits.
Under the amended ordinance, Josh’s Farmers Market will be allowed to set up permanently in a single location in the Corridor Mixed Use (CM) and Community Commercial (CC) Districts. Seventy-fire percent of the market’s sales must be agricultural/food items.
Josh Graham, a long-time business owner who has been forced to operate Josh’s Farmers Market in various locations on a series of temporary permits since his long-time site was sold, thanked the board and town staff for working to change the UDO.
“I think this was done in a very transparent and mutual way,” he said.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the amendment.
“I think this is a step in the right direction,” Commissioner Gary West said. “It’s been a long and sometimes painful journey to get where we are.”
Under the amended UDO, temporary markets will not be allowed within a quarter-mile of other temporary markets. Permanent markets will not be allowed within a half-mile of other permanent markets.
Board approves economic development incentive for Dehn Inc.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a $934,897 economic development incentive for Dehn Inc., a German engineering firm.
Dehn is planning the invest $38.5 million in a new Mooresville facility and create at least 120 jobs with an average salary of $84,000.
Craig Goodson, director of economic development for the Iredell County Economic Development Corp., told the board that Mooresville was selected from 65 sites throughout the U.S.
Public hearing on proposed Queens Landing Development postponed
A large crowd of residents attended the board meeting to oppose a planned mixed-use development at Queens Landing, located at 1459 River Highway.
However, a public hearing on the proposal was delayed until April 15 at the request of the developer.
The developer, Queens Landing Eat LLC, is proposing to construct 108 multi-family units, a marina, restaurant/commercial building and public greenway on the 6.56-acre site.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business:
♦ The board approved a request to amend the budget by transferring $2,013,975 from the General Fund to provide working capital and project capital to the Golf Course Fund, the Solid Waste Fund and the Stormwater Fund.
♦ Commissioners approved a request to amend the budget to appropriate fund balance from the Community Development Fund in the amount of $641,316 to create the new Non-Restricted Community Development Fund; and transfer $300,000 of that amount into the Liberty Village Project Ordinance for the purchase of 502 Carpenter Avenue.
♦ The board approved a request from Planning & Community Development to authorize the purchase of 502 Carpenter Avenue for $300,000.
♦ Commissioners authorized spending up to $200,000 for targeted cybersecurity investments in government agencies to improve the security of critical infrastructure, as well as the resilience of the services governments provide their communities.
♦ The board appointed Steven Siniscalchi to the open seat on the Historic Preservation Commission.
♦ Commissioners approved a request from the Police Department to accept a Governor’s Crime Commission Violence Against Women Act Stop Grant. The grant would fund 75 percent of allowable expenses with a 25 percent cash match required by the Town.
♦ The board approved a request from the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce to petition the NCDOT to approve a temporary road closure for the Race City Festival on May 11 from 3 a.m. until 7 p.m. The temporary road closure request includes Main Street from Iredell Avenue to McLelland Avenue and Broad Street from Iredell Avenue to McLelland Avenue.
♦ Commissioners approved a request from the Mooresville Downtown Commission to petition the
NCDOT to approve a temporary road closure for the 2024 MDC St. Patrick’s Event on March 16 from 2 to 8:30 p.m. The temporary closures are Main Street from Center Avenue to Moore Avenue and Broad Street from Center Avenue to Moore Avenue and Moore Avenue from Main Street to Railroad Tracks/Broad Street.