Planning board recommends zoning change for 144 McNeil Lane so resident can serve on Historic Preservation Commission

The Town of Mooresville Planning Board recommended approval of rezoning RZ-2025-04 to assign Residential Limited Service (RLS) zoning to a 0.69-acre parcel at 144 McNeil Lane so that resident Susan Autry may serve as the extraterritorial-jurisdiction (ETJ) representative on the Town of Mooresville Historic Preservation Commission.

Planner Parviz Musavi told the board the parcel had been released from Iredell County jurisdiction on June 17 and that North Carolina law requires certain commission members to live within the appointing jurisdiction. Musavi said the rezoning would not be an annexation request and that Mooresville utilities are not being sought; staff noted water and sewer services were not being requested and that the rezoning is solely to align jurisdiction so Autry could serve. Musavi also said all map-amendment standards were met except those related to water and sewer availability because Autry is not seeking public utilities.

Autry addressed the board and described her local ties and interest in serving on the commission. Several board members asked procedural and map questions about why the single parcel required rezoning and whether surrounding parcels remained under county jurisdiction; staff explained this was a small gap in the ETJ that the owner requested be released by the county rather than a broad neighborhood release.

Mr. Cole moved to recommend approval, stating the rezoning is consistent with the town's plan and compatible with neighborhood residential designation; Mr. Hooper seconded the motion. The board passed the recommendation by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Staff noted the action is contingent on the county's release (which staff indicated had been completed) and that the rezoning would not change taxation because the property is not being annexed.