FROM STAFF REPORTS
Mooresville town commissioners approved a developer’s requests to rezone and annex 31 acres off Rinehardt Road during Monday’s board meeting.
North State Development is planning to build 72 townhomes on the site, which was located in the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and split-zoned for residential limited service and hybrid light industrial.
In response to neighbors’ concerns, the developer opted to cluster the townhomes on about 10 acres of the Wilkinson property, leaving the remaining 20 acres in their natural state.
The Cornelius developer has also agreed to build a bridge connecting the development to the Selma Middle School property. If Mooresville Graded Schools officials do not want the bridge, the developer will donate $150,000 to the town for sidewalk and road improvements in the neighborhood.
Commissioners viewed the townhome project as a favorable development for the property. Under the previous zoning, developers could have opted for a variety of other uses, including a dog kennel, gas station and hotel.
Both the rezoning and annexation requests passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business:
♦ Commissioners unanimously approved the town budget for 2024-2025. The spending plan maintains the tax rate at 48.36 cents per $100 valuation. It also includes a 4 percent increase in water rates and a 6 percent hike in sewer rates, along with a $24 per year increase in solid waste fees.
Town Manager Tracey Jerome provided an overview of the budget, which she said marked the 16th year without an increase in the property tax rate.
Total spending, which includes the General Fund, is projected to increase to $171.44 million, a 12.2 percent increase over the current year’s original budget ($152.79 million). Revenues from property taxes are projected to increase to more than $62 million and sales tax revenues are estimated at $20.25 million.
The budget includes a 2 percent cost-of-living increase for all town employees and merit raises ranging from 0 to 5 percent based on employee performance.
♦ The board voted unanimously to approve a resolution of intent to amend the Town Charter regarding elections. If the resolution is approved following a public hearing on June 17, the town would no longer have a primary election for mayor and town commissioner. Regardless of how many candidates are running or how small the margin of victory, the top vote-getter in each race in the November election would be declared the winner.
The Board of Elections asked the Town Board to consider the change due to low voter turnout and the cost of holding the primary election. The most recent primary, in 2023, cost the town $27,106.
♦ Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the Mooresville Downtown Streetscape Master Plan. The document establishes “a design vision and implementation plan for on-street public spaces” in Downtown Mooresville.
This plan accomplishes the following goals: (1) Establishes a unified vision for streetscape design within and surrounding the downtown area; (2) Provides guidance for future public investment, and consistent application of standard streetscape cross sections for private development; (3) Calls for transformation of public downtown corridors into inviting, pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly spaces; and (4) Develops a cohesive design language harmonious with the Town’s historic core, proposed developments, and immediately neighboring areas.
The planning area runs from the Mill Village and Moor Park in the south, through the historic downtown core, to Park Avenue in the north. The planning area is further bounded by Church Street and Liberty Park in the east, and Academy Street to the west.