Mooresville planning board backs text amendment to allow cat cafes, recommends downtown be by-right

The Town of Mooresville Planning Board voted to recommend that the Town Board adopt a text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (TA-2025-05) to create a defined "cat cafe" use and associated regulations.

The Planning Board's vote follows a staff presentation and an applicant presentation explaining the model and regulatory differences between a cat cafe and animal boarding. Veronica Bateson, Planner II with the Planning Department, told the board staff recommended a simplified version of the applicant's draft and proposed allowing cat cafes by right in some commercial districts while requiring conditional zoning in others.

Applicant Amy Dalton, co-owner of the proposed business, described the operation and regulatory controls she and partner Ronnie LaBarbera plan to follow. "Our primary purpose tonight is to establish what that legal definition is," Dalton said, adding cat cafes partner with local registered rescues, maintain a separate cat visitation lounge with double-door access, limit animal density, and comply with North Carolina Department of Agriculture inspection and sanitation rules. Ronnie LaBarbera, who founded a local cat rescue and is a co-applicant, said the cats would live at the cafe for a period of time while available for adoption.

Supporters spoke during public comment. Bronwyn Martin, who said she has worked with cat rescue groups, said cat cafes provide a calmer environment for potential adopters and increase adult-cat adoptions. Dr. Megan Mansey, a veterinary professional, and Charles LeCour also urged approval, citing animal welfare and economic benefits.

Board members discussed zoning placement for the use. Staff explained the recommendation to require conditional zoning in Traditional Downtown (TD) and some neighborhood districts was intended to allow review of compatibility where property-owner and building interests are concentrated. Several board members compared the use with existing allowed uses such as restaurants and bars. Applicant Dalton and LaBarbera expressed support for staff's simplified language but asked that downtown be allowed by right to avoid repeated conditional rezonings for individual storefronts.

The Planning Board approved the staff's simplified text amendment with one change: the board recommended that the TD (Traditional Downtown) district be allowed to host cat cafes by right. The motion, made by Ms. Temple and seconded by a board member, passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The board will forward the recommendation to the Town Board for final action.

If the Town Board adopts the amendment, the UDO will include a defined cat-cafe use and a framework for where the use is permitted by right and where it may require conditional zoning; health and food-safety compliance will continue to be enforced through the state Department of Agriculture and local code enforcement.