Planning board approves package of sign and EV charging text amendments; interstate signage vote split

The Mooresville Planning Board voted on a package of text amendments to the town's Unified Development Ordinance covering interstate signage, window signage and electric vehicle charging requirements, approving each item with varying majorities.

Sandy Howell, senior planner, presented the three-part package and described each amendment. On interstate signage, Howell said the application from Carolina Media Group would amend the code to allow additional billboards in the Corridor Mixed-Use District near I-77, potentially allowing up to two additional interstate signs subject to spacing and other requirements. "It would allow potentially, 2 more, billboards," Howell said. She noted the proposal would still be subject to the town's interstate signage distance requirements.

Board members questioned whether the town should open corridor parcels to new billboards and whether staff was supporting more billboards; Howell said staff was not opposed and recommended approval as consistent with the town's business-friendly strategic goals. After discussion and procedural clarification, the board approved the interstate-signage amendment by a 4-3 vote.

The second amendment, proposed by the Winslow Bay Group, would change the sign code to allow certain window signs above the ground floor in the CC and CEM commercial districts along Highway 150. Howell said the change was narrow and meant to accommodate brand signage (the example given was Whataburger) while limiting total area. The proposed rules would: (1) exempt window signs from the maximum total attached sign area, (2) cap window signs at 50 percent of the total window area, and (3) limit most window signs to ground-floor windows except in the CC and CEM districts along Highway 150. Staff recommended this change to reduce nonconformities and provide clarity on signage enforcement. The board approved the window-sign amendment 5-1-1 (five yes, one no, one abstention).

The third amendment, staff-initiated, removes several requirements that had been deterring installation of EV charging stations and allows developers flexibility to count EV spaces toward maximum parking where appropriate. Howell said the change was intended to make EV infrastructure less costly to implement for private developers and to make EV installation a market-driven decision. The board approved the EV charging amendment unanimously.

After voting on each item, the board adopted a combined statement of reasonableness finding the amendments consistent with the One Mooresville plan and supportive of economic vitality. The amendments now move to the Town Board for consideration. Votes recorded at the planning-board meeting were: interstate signage—approved 4-3; window signage—approved 5-1-1; EV charging—approved unanimous.