Mount Airy Council Reappoints Bruce Walls and Richard Swanson to Ethics Commission

The Mount Airy Town Council convened on August 4, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including appointments to the ethics commission and discussions surrounding the rezoning of properties on South Main Street.

The meeting began with the reappointment of Bruce Walls and Richard Swanson to the ethics commission. Both motions were passed unanimously without any discussion.

Following the appointments, the council turned its attention to Ordinance 2025-16, which proposed the rezoning of four properties on South Main Street. A motion was made to delay the discussion until the town attorney could provide legal counsel, but this motion did not receive a second and thus failed. Subsequently, a motion to approve the ordinance as drafted also failed due to a lack of support.

A council member then proposed a motion to amend the ordinance, suggesting the removal of three limited commercial properties and converting only one parcel to Neighborhood Professional (NP) zoning. This proposal sparked a lengthy discussion about the implications of rezoning, particularly concerning the preservation of Mount Airy’s historic Main Street character.

Several council members expressed concerns that rezoning to NP could lead to increased commercial development, traffic, and a loss of the town's small-town charm. One member emphasized the need to protect the Main Street corridor, arguing that rezoning could lead to a slippery slope of further commercial encroachment. They cited community feedback from a 2020 survey, which indicated a preference for concentrating commercial development in existing areas rather than converting residential properties.

Another council member countered that the neighborhood had already undergone significant changes, with various commercial properties nearby, and argued that the proposed rezoning was a logical response to these developments. They highlighted the need for a balanced approach that considers both the current landscape and the potential for future growth.

The discussion concluded without a resolution on the ordinance, with several members advocating for a more comprehensive vision for the town's development rather than piecemeal changes. The council agreed to revisit the topic in future meetings, emphasizing the importance of community input and careful consideration of the town's identity and planning goals.