[{"_1":2,"_105":-5,"_106":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6520222,"mediaKeyId","5334321-81f7023195d489bc39393cba6aede8a1","parentId",5334321,"title","Council denies rezoning for 1913 Steele Street after debate on topography and future city needs","audioSeconds",1386,"startMs",2993000,"endMs",4379000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334321-81f7023195d489bc39393cba6aede8a1&start=2993&end=4379","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334321-81f7023195d489bc39393cba6aede8a1/thumbnail_2993000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520222/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Council-denies-rezoning-for-1913-Steele-Street-after-debate-on-topography-and-future-city-needs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520222-7db0f235a96a036671d731a7e4883720/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183246&Signature=HUoP-CCSvIWdQmBJN8VOPBMxdmCeQflm4zQVgnDmLWlKdA6gGErY3UEgyXNshor4noK5kcHw9~I5U3OJ8dZjG4fT6jpvhpwvNVVVXkN-pohRK9~wx-3lNzF3zP3RCIkAsTwGnRbNGR-yjYjXrUnIrr2CuCWeDwpb-nMSWgA4BfdNNOXd4KHb10uLQjyySdX4CIlT-sZAhzZlnnEEGn5LAjpSRtCDZgIwq~UTpyGnn1aVoaZv4lkYLP5gRlT~0k2WGAzzOwPJHAAeYcslrLFGqu8gyzUN1IzDiaFxkTjwIGMcUOm5cnOyJhPa8d4V4zuJm8iGTzDPHOfI~-toqeM3vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe","date","2025-07-09T12:24:29Z","article","Monroe City Council voted on July 8 to deny a rezoning request to change the zoning of 1913 Steele Street from General Industrial to Residential Low Density.

Planning staff (Megan Breithardt) presented the request and explained the parcel’s context: the property contains one residential structure, lies north of Steele Street and east of Jones Street, and is near parcels zoned industrial as part of a prior citywide rezoning. Planning staff said the land-use designation is “traditional development” and that staff believes the requested rezoning is consistent with the land-use plan; the planning board split 3–3 on recommending the rezoning. The applicant’s representative, Brian Medlin, described family ownership, the presence of an elderly occupant in the existing home and difficulties marketing the property while zoned industrial.

Council members discussed feasibility, topography and the parcel’s proximity to city public-enterprise operations. City staff told council that while some nearby parcels have been reviewed for possible public-enterprise expansion, there is not an active acquisition of this specific parcel. Council members expressed differing views: some said rezoning to residential low density would make a difficult-to-sell parcel marketable and support family owners; others said rezoning solely to enable a sale is not an adequate public-interest reason and flagged potential future need for industrial use related to a nearby facilities expansion. After discussion, council voted to deny the land-use/rezoning request and the related land-use compliance resolution.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting of July 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Monroe City Council denied a request to rezone 1913 Steele Street from General Industrial to Residential Low Density, citing proximity to potential public-enterprise expansion, topography and development feasibility concerns.","taxTitle","Monroe City, Union County, North Carolina","taxId",55173,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520227,"Council declares four vacant houses dilapidated; orders repair or demolition under minimum-housing code",0,2719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334321-81f7023195d489bc39393cba6aede8a1&start=2719&end=2719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334321-81f7023195d489bc39393cba6aede8a1/thumbnail_2719000.jpg","/articles/6520227/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Council-declares-four-vacant-houses-dilapidated-orders-repair-or-demolition-under-minimum-housing-code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520227-dcb4d61d37be182912b897d244b6148a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183246&Signature=Qd-cQfLRO~T0X9CYExc9b5EYGN3omKLKutd95eu2GL36ZiNJ~qBvLreFrmgikOgwOYniLnAc4K7e2wqpEd4R7yIHHlpWnFtUZGHM0FdpSPW0vdrAPTcMv3XgB7L2jK2Dn0u0ctKCIEj6hncfEZbTt0LfL66-psSh4bqfHOhAEcAL9FFG6On-kurBT0hNhYLjatjEv-sShFTOPmqpxpKqDKprIrbxzbrVFaLf83hxin3AlAbJ5gKKLJKut3x1evz995urzcpQccFH2bEQ6YTEkeSJjA5Aspkn~KXn3gN9fSdSS-h03fVcIr4PcJpX3joNiVMwbjVfUGToRsucK3j-4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe City Council on July 8 adopted minimum-housing ordinances declaring several vacant houses unfit for human habitation and ordering them repaired or demolished.

Lisa Steinwinder, director of planning and development, presented three separate minimum-housing petitions: 601 South College Street (vacant since 1999), 3613 U.S. Highway 74 (vacant since 2006), and two houses at 3701 and 3705 U.S. Highway 74 (vacant since 2013 and 2019). Inspections documented missing foundation sections, failing roofs, missing utilities (wiring, plumbing, heat), missing walls and ceilings, and trash and debris inside the structures. For 601 South College Street staff reported a contractor estimate to repair the house at $88,724 against a tax-assessed structure value of $70,200; for 3613 Highway 74 staff reported a repair estimate of $74,664 vs. structure value $22,800; the combined estimate for 3701/3705 Highway 74 was $143,463 vs. combined tax value $17,700.

Under the city’s minimum-housing ordinance and the state statute cited by staff, repairs costing greater than 50 percent of the structure value qualify a dwelling to be declared dilapidated and unfit for habitation; staff recommended demolition ordinances based on that threshold and the property conditions. Code-enforcement hearings had been held earlier in March 2025 (or March 2023 for the College Street case); notices were mailed and posted. Burrell Raper, owner of 601 South College Street, spoke during the hearing and told council he bought the house in 1998 and intends to demolish it.

Council voted to adopt the ordinances. Staff said a lien will be placed on any property if the city undertakes demolition work. Several council members acknowledged the owner’s past work on downtown properties and the local history involved with some sites.

The ordinances require staff follow-up for compliance monitoring and potential enforcement; planning/code-enforcement staff will return to council as required if repairs are not completed by the ordered deadlines.","After code-enforcement hearings and inspections, Monroe City Council declared multiple vacant houses unfit for human habitation and ordered repair or demolition; staff cited repair estimates exceeding 50% of assessed structure values as the statutory trigger.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520232,"Council asks staff to rewrite downtown paid-parking ordinance with lower fee, business-hours enforcement",456,4473000,4929000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334321-81f7023195d489bc39393cba6aede8a1&start=4473&end=4929","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334321-81f7023195d489bc39393cba6aede8a1/thumbnail_4473000.jpg","/articles/6520232/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Council-asks-staff-to-rewrite-downtown-paid-parking-ordinance-with-lower-fee-business-hours-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520232-d2e22f793931b41af97f1ad756ceacfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183246&Signature=Cxclhbbzc5uFKN~1MsoZcVK-0HC6Q1~pv7BzavNKteY4erlVZgzHLkKSD8vLrN76Cvr8N7CNyd~LI8ZKDXSsqOJUaLYOz2amY86mMQ9uXi2KFJ1Di6iT-yQwlGGtY1hM0f98BdhHzLNXqJpw5M~268Hdwbiin~xdCO0DvzRcHVyOgv6dztp3dHjzNMx162VGsiTgGXuCi~eEPbXFXGz8R0VaGtLUW7902qSa8rN-ZHI3WZ3lsvi18xrX7cXZZyc-zaJaD7X8BS6g6ZFtSzfcieuH2gaiBkcvaCYs5lvbZXq4g6InLD3AKyJFhJdfFOpSyb9dE3j3C5MOe9m0lUX13w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe City Council directed staff at its July 8 meeting to draft a revised ordinance to reconsider a paid-parking pilot in the downtown lot at East Crowell and North Haines streets.

Planning and general-services staff reviewed the pilot that started Nov. 1, 2024: 18 permit spaces were offered on a first-come, first-served basis during a six-month trial; the initial fee was $1,000 per space. Staff reported only five spaces were leased to three applicants during the pilot and summarized feedback that the price point and 24/7 permit hours discouraged uptake. Some downtown business and property owners told council they would pay if the fee were lowered; council members and staff discussed moving to an annual fee of $500, limiting paid hours to business days (suggested 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday), and enforcing permits via police towing and permit placards.

Council discussed fairness concerns about charging for a city-owned lot and the pilot’s prior low take-up; supporters said voluntary paid permits could free on-street parking for customers and generate revenue for downtown events. The council majority approved a motion directing staff to draft a revised ordinance reflecting fee and hours changes and return for formal adoption; staff said any ordinance would come back for council action.

Staff emphasized that any revised program requiring ordinance changes will return to council with exact fee, hours, enforcement and allocation language.","After hearing pilot results and public feedback, Monroe City Council directed staff to draft a revised paid-parking ordinance for an 18-space lot in downtown, proposing a lower annual fee and time-limited access, with first-come, first-served allocation.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":101,"_53":102,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":103,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":104,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520237,"Monroe City Council adopts multiple demolition orders, denies Steele Street rezoning and approves paid-parking reconsideration","/articles/6520237/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Monroe-City-Council-adopts-multiple-demolition-orders-denies-Steele-Street-rezoning-and-approves-paid-parking-reconsideration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520237-7176ff68b761bd9516fc68fea5b6c6b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183246&Signature=g4Lg3YCb14wd66CQ2guYcP96fL~URWApn5rgGZwuE3RNGC-RwN6sfWPCuRyy-t-1Eg-ir76WhTcs5Djoi7BcdhY0NJzzWm7TlyS7AzJm8FIjoYxkK3Smnvbg0xDro4V5Ivs5nKMHGHG1poZ96RjoOmTtbPuq0heofz4rx8QXAW6h~EKXMl6PtAWO0p6VxQpc1M3C0RyC6NuL3f-NVgwW9WZ5e9UoCTPYHOTMJJMkCEnI1CnppMQ8GDOAZenZOdIhy7kTx249ONEkg7-HbHr5yKCHvDS4QM147-hNAfe35zpSMGLW1fUMr2M7VDe1~SjQtAOwcJBeDM1qN7UhD-9fXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe City Council took a series of formal actions at its July 8 meeting, adopting minimum-housing ordinances to declare multiple vacant houses dilapidated and unfit for human habitation, voting to deny a rezoning request for 1913 Steele Street, and directing staff to revisit a paid parking pilot for a downtown lot.

Council adopted ordinances ordering demolition or repair for properties at 601 South College Street; 3613 U.S. Highway 74; and 3701–3705 U.S. Highway 74 following code-enforcement inspections that found structural failures, missing utilities and debris in each dwelling. Planning and code-enforcement staff told council repair estimates for the properties exceed 50 percent of each structure’s tax-assessed value, a threshold cited in the city’s minimum housing ordinance and state statute as a trigger for demolition authority. Property owners were notified and heard before council at the meeting; one owner, Burrell Raper, told council he purchased his house in 1998 and intends to demolish it.

On a separate land-use matter, council denied a zoning map amendment request to rezone 1913 Steele Street from General Industrial to Residential Low Density. Planning staff presented background including prior consideration in September 2024 and varying recommendations from planning staff and the planning board. The applicant’s representative described family ownership and interest in making the parcel more marketable; council discussed topography, utility access and potential future public-enterprise needs before voting to deny the rezoning and related land-use plan compliance.

Council also voted to reconsider the downtown paid-parking pilot for the lot at East Crowell and North Haines streets. Staff summarized the pilot (18 spaces, initially $1,000 per space for a six-month pilot that began Nov. 1, 2024), its low take-up (five spaces leased to three applicants), and feedback that price and hours affected interest. Council directed staff to bring back a revised program with a reduced fee ($500 annually was discussed), business-hours enforcement (suggested 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday) and first-come, first-served allocation; council members said revenue could support downtown events but some expressed concern about charging for city-owned parking.

Separately, council asked staff to study whether Morgan/Windsor Alley could be used as a rental event venue and to return with a report addressing public-safety and fire-code constraints.

The meeting concluded with a 30-minute public-comment period that featured numerous speakers addressing council conduct, the recently enacted HB 3 (referenced by commenters), and support for or opposition to specific council members. A closed session followed the public comments.","At its July 8 regular meeting Monroe City Council voted to declare several vacant homes unfit for human habitation and ordered demolition or repair, denied a rezoning request for 1913 Steele Street, and directed staff to reconsider a downtown paid-parking pilot with revised fees and hours.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council denies rezoning for 1913 Steele Street after debate on topography and future city needs

Council declares four vacant houses dilapidated; orders repair or demolition under minimum-housing code

Council asks staff to rewrite downtown paid-parking ordinance with lower fee, business-hours enforcement

Monroe City Council adopts multiple demolition orders, denies Steele Street rezoning and approves paid-parking reconsideration