Monroe Council opposes NC Senate Bill 688 and House Bill 765 on development regulations

The Monroe City Council convened on May 13, 2025, to address several key issues, including a resolution opposing state legislation and discussions on the upcoming fiscal year budget.

The meeting began with a significant resolution presented by Lisa Styewerner from the Planning and Development Department. She urged the council to oppose Senate Bill 688 and House Bill 765, which aim to reform local government development regulations in North Carolina. Styewerner highlighted that municipalities across the state are voicing their opposition to these bills, which could undermine local development standards and negatively impact environmental protections and community welfare. She noted that as of May 5, 2025, the planning staff had reviewed the bills and concluded that they would render existing city development standards ineffective, potentially allowing harmful developments to proceed unchecked.

Following her presentation, the council moved to adopt the resolution opposing the bills. A motion was made and seconded, with no further discussion. The resolution was unanimously approved, reflecting the council's commitment to maintaining local governance over development regulations.

The meeting then transitioned to discussions regarding the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget. Lisa Strickland was recognized to provide updates on outstanding items from previous meetings, including the fee schedule and general fund balance reserves. One specific inquiry addressed was the potential for membership waivers for members over the age of 80 at the Monroe Aquatic and Fitness Center.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's proactive stance on state legislation affecting local governance and its ongoing efforts to finalize the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Further discussions and decisions are anticipated in future meetings as the council continues to navigate these important issues.