Votes at a glance: Rocky Mount council approves zoning, annexation, budget allocations, occupancy tax resolution and other items

The Rocky Mount City Council on April 14 considered and passed multiple ordinances, resolutions and appointments. The following is a summary of those formal actions and key details.

Rezoning — Glory Drive (R-10 to R-6 MFA): The council adopted an ordinance to rezone approximately 5.015 acres on Glory Drive from R-10 to R-6 MFA to allow multifamily residential development. Joseph Bocook, director of development services, said the request aligns with the comprehensive plan and the site is in a planned infill growth area. Developer representative Ted Heilbron said the next phase will deliver 56 units of affordable housing and that the same developer previously built East Haven Apartments (roughly 64 units) after a 2021 rezoning. Motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Councilman Knight and seconded by Councilman Blackwell; the motion passed by voice vote.

Annexation — Old Carriage Road (Annexation No. 337): Council acknowledged a feasibility study and adopted an ordinance to extend the city’s corporate limits to include an approximately 19.14-acre contiguous portion of a parcel on North Old Carriage Road. Staff reported water and sewer service are available and that the area would be in Ward 5 if annexed; the annexation is estimated to generate annual revenue surplus and met statutory petition requirements. Motion to adopt was made by Councilman Daughtridge and seconded by Councilman Harris; the ordinance passed by voice vote.

Grant project ordinances — state biannual allocation (2023–2025): The council adopted project ordinances appropriating state biannual budget allocations for two activities: $2,500,000 for restoring and increasing housing supply and $4,500,000 for phase 1 development of a new Rocky Mount Judicial Center campus. Motion to adopt was made by Councilman Joiner and seconded by Councilman Jabaris Walker; council approved the appropriations by voice vote.

Resolution — House Bill 332 (occupancy tax distribution): The council adopted a resolution supporting House Bill 332, which would change the distribution process for the local occupancy tax so that the city’s 2 percent share would be remitted directly to the city rather than routed through the Nash County Tourism Development Authority under the current practice. City Manager Peter F. Varney and council members discussed how collections are largely generated within the city limits; councilmember comments noted the city’s economic role in the county. Motion by Councilman Joiner, second by Councilman Knight; resolution passed unanimously by voice vote.

Reschedule meeting date: The council voted to reschedule the regular meeting previously set for Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day) to Tuesday, May 27 and subsequently amended that rescheduling to hold the meeting on June 9. Motions were made and seconded during the meeting; council adopted the rescheduled date by voice vote.

Library board reappointment: Council reappointed Terry Anderson to the library board; the council noted consistent attendance and accepted her personal history form. Motion and second were recorded and the reappointment passed by voice vote.

Other consent items: The council approved minutes and a consent agenda covering tax releases, ordinances and resolutions as listed on the agenda, leases, grant agreements, amendments and recommended bids; these items were adopted by motion and voice vote earlier in the meeting.

Provenance: Each action listed above was introduced on the council agenda, presented or discussed by staff or applicants as noted, and approved by council vote during the April 14 meeting.