Salisbury council approves rezoning, traffic control, urban archery ordinance and water treatment contract

The Salisbury City Council on March 18 approved multiple land-use and public-safety measures, a water-treatment equipment contract and a series of appointments to local boards and commissions.

Council adopted ordinances rezoning two parcels — about 15.26 acres on Majolica Road from general residential to heavy industrial and roughly 6.40 acres at 0 Kelly Drive from rural residential to highway business — and approved an ordinance establishing an "always stop" condition at Confederate Avenue and West Henderson Street. The council also amended city code to permit regulated urban archery, adopted a resolution supporting renaming a section of I-85 the Elizabeth Dole Highway, approved a contract to replace an on-site sodium hypochlorite (bleach) generation system, and approved the partial closure of an unimproved alley off the 1000 block of Holmes Avenue. Council filled vacancies across multiple advisory boards and commissions.

The actions were taken by voice votes after public hearings or staff presentations; where public comment was offered (the rezoning on Majolica Road drew a question about air quality), staff and a project architect responded that the expansion is a 17,000-square-foot covered processing addition, that no additional trees would be removed for the expansion and that a 30-foot vegetative buffer would be maintained.

Votes at a glance - Partial alley closure (1000 block of Holmes Avenue): council adopted a resolution declaring the unimproved portion to be closed and then adopted an order to close the right-of-way; motion passed by voice vote. (Agenda item 8) - Rezoning — Majolica Road (approx. 15.26 acres): ordinance adopted to rezone a portion of tax parcel 330-037 from GR-3/GR-6 to Heavy Industrial (HI) after a public hearing; planning board had recommended approval. (Agenda item 9) - Rezoning — 0 Kelly Drive (approx. 6.401 acres): ordinance adopted to rezone tax map 401-026 from Rural Residential (RR) to Highway Business (HB); applicant (Rufty Homes) intends to sell to an adjacent HB-zoned property owner. (Agenda item 10) - Traffic control ordinance: council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 13 of the city code to establish always-stop control at Confederate Avenue and West Henderson Street after staff said the location met MUTCD warrants for crashes and sight-distance. (Agenda item 11) - Urban archery: council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 15 to allow regulated urban archery in Salisbury under conditions described in the ordinance (4‑week season, property >10 acres or written permission, prohibited within 500 feet of schools/churches/occupied buildings/parks/roads). (Agenda item 12) - Elizabeth Dole Highway resolution: council adopted a resolution supporting renaming a section of I‑85 (Exit 76 to Bringle Ferry Road) in honor of Elizabeth Dole; Rowan County agreed to share sign cost and Representative Warren’s office sought Salisbury’s support. (Agenda item 13) - Contract authorization: council authorized the city manager to execute a contract with De Nora Water Technologies LLC for $647,668 to replace the on-site sodium hypochlorite generation system at the water plant; staff said the system is proven technology and included in the current budget/CIP. (Agenda item 14) - Boards and commissions: council made multiple appointments and reappointments across advisory bodies including Historic Preservation, Housing Advocacy, Human Relations, Planning Board, Public Art, Transportation Advisory Board, Tree Board and others. (Agenda item 15)

Why it matters: The rezonings and the water-treatment contract reflect ongoing infrastructure and industrial development activity in and near Salisbury; the traffic-control ordinance and alley closure address neighborhood access and safety; the urban archery ordinance aligns the city with several nearby municipalities that permit regulated archery on eligible properties. The contract approval is a capital investment included in the current fiscal-year budget.

Details and background: Planning staff said both rezonings were "general use" petitions without conditions and found consistent with the Forward 2040 comprehensive plan and the future land-use map designations (production/processing for the Majolica-area parcel; employment center for the Kelly Drive parcel). For the Majolica rezoning the applicant (Old Carolina Brick / Carolina Brick) plans a 17,000-square-foot covered processing expansion; staff noted the site is not in wetlands or the 100-year floodplain and the parcel will be recombined following rezoning so split zoning is avoided. For the water plant equipment, staff described the existing on-site sodium hypochlorite (roughly 0.8% solution) generation process, two 15,000-gallon tanks and the need to replace aged equipment; the chosen vendor was the low bidder and is the same manufacturer as the outgoing system.

Quotes from the meeting "This is my partner, Angela Reynolds. We own a group called Become the Change promotions, and we are doing a festival here in Salisbury in May." — Lonnie Brick, public speaker (public comment) "There are 8 crashes recorded within a 36-month period that are susceptible to correction with an always stop control." — Victoria Trexler, Traffic Engineer (staff presentation) "We are here to ask the council to authorize... to execute a contract with De Nora Water Technologies LLC in the amount of $647,668." — SRU representative (contract presentation)

Ending: The council took the votes during its regular meeting on March 18; most measures passed by voice vote after public hearings or presentations. Several citizen speakers asked the council to pursue additional neighborhood traffic studies and infrastructure attention; council members discussed those neighborhood concerns in the meeting’s comment period.