Goldsboro council approves zoning permits, annexation and community grants in April meeting

Goldsboro City Council on April 7 approved a package of land-use decisions, an annexation ordinance, grant acceptance and several municipal waivers and staffing actions.

The council granted a special-use permit for a tattoo suite in an existing Parkway Drive shopping center and also approved a special-use permit for Carter Lumber Company to operate storage and retail at 3715 Central Heights Road. Council adopted an ordinance to annex 4.41 acres on U.S. Highway 111 South into the city limits, accepted a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant for thermal-imaging cameras, approved a personnel reclassification in code enforcement and advanced funding to the Dillard Goldsboro Alumni Association. The council also approved a fee waiver request to allow a veterans “stand down” event to use a city facility.

Those actions reflect routine council business and planning decisions that affect development, neighborhood services and annual community events.

Votes at a glance

- Special-use permit SU2024 (Jupiter Blue tattoo, 1210 Parkway Drive, Suite B): Granted. Planning staff said the site is in the General Business zoning district and the applicant, Mary Medlin, would occupy one suite in an existing salon/gallery. Council answered all four required quasi‑judicial findings in the affirmative and approved the permit by unanimous voice vote.

- Special-use permit SU03/2025 (Carter Lumber, 3715 Central Heights Road): Granted. Applicant Charles R. Price told council Carter Lumber plans retail sales, contractor services and outdoor material storage on a 12.17‑acre parcel that includes a roughly 60,000‑square‑foot building and an 8,900‑square‑foot outbuilding. NCDOT told staff it would not require roadway improvements for the site. Council approved the permit; staff said a site plan review will follow before occupancy. Council reported the approval was unanimous.

- SU application withdrawn: One special-use application scheduled for hearing was withdrawn by the applicant and marked “resolved” on the record; staff noted the applicant intends to reapply if development proceeds.

- Contiguous annexation (West side of U.S. 111 South): Adopted effective April 7, 2025. Planning staff said the petition met the statutory sufficiency requirements for contiguous annexation. Staff estimated the property’s assessed value would rise from its current farm‑use valuation (about $5,290) to a commercial value of roughly $3,000,000 if developed, and estimated annual city tax revenue from the parcel at about $24,600. Council voted to adopt the ordinance.

- Dillard Goldsboro Alumni & Friends: Council approved advancing funds to the organization. Finance staff said the city had previously budgeted $10,002.50 for the group; council voted to advance an additional $10,002.50 for the current fiscal year, and to advance $1,750 in remaining prior‑year scholarship funds (the group cited $1,500 outstanding plus a $250 discrepancy). Council also approved a waiver of the $400 parade application fee. Finance staff outlined a standard nonprofit (NPO) contract, reporting the city will use internal compliance checks for organizations that do not provide independent audits.

- Veterans stand-down (WA Foster Center): Council approved a request to waive facility fees and allow a veterans stand‑down event at the WA Foster Center on May 15; Parks and Recreation staff and event organizers described the event scope and timing.

- Personnel reclassification (code enforcement): Council approved converting a current part‑time code enforcement position to a permanent part‑time role to retain an officer handling housing and code cases.

- Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant: Accepted. The fire department was awarded $22,286.82 to buy 18 thermal imaging cameras and accessories to equip individual firefighters; council accepted the grant and authorized city staff to finalize any related documents.

- Road‑race street closure request: Council approved a downtown road‑closure request for a run to be held in late May, contingent on the organizer working with Run The East to slightly modify the certified route so the start/finish moves one block to reduce impacts on downtown businesses. Council instructed staff to work with event organizers to finalize a revised, certified course.

How council decided

Most land‑use votes were decided after staff presentations and applicant remarks; there were few public commenters on those hearings. Several agenda items required council to find facts under local zoning rules and to confirm consistency with the city’s comprehensive land‑use plan. On discretionary funding for local nonprofits, finance staff presented an NPO contract and recommended either reimbursement or an advanced‑payment contract with reporting and audit safeguards; council directed staff to prepare a budget amendment and the contract language for formal approval.

What’s next

Staff will prepare implementing paperwork: site plan review for Carter Lumber, the formal advance contract for Dillard Goldsboro Alumni & Friends, grant paperwork for the fire department, and a revised street‑closure plan for the late‑May run. Annexed property will be served according to the city’s utility and development rules.

Speakers mentioned (select)

Mayor Terry Gaylor; Mayor Pro Tem Jones; Council members Boyette, Taylor, Matthews, Weeks and White; City Manager Timothy Livingston; Planning staff Kenny Talton; applicant Mary Medlin (Jupiter Blue); Charles R. Price (Carter Lumber); Jamarius Coley (Dillard Goldsboro Alumni & Friends); Felicia (Parks & Recreation); Finance Director Gwen (finance director); Fire Chief (name on record).