Selma mayor urges planning board to follow land-use plan as town readies for industrial and retail growth

The mayor of Selma told the Town of Selma Planning Board that members should give "quite a bit of deference" to the town's future land use plan as development accelerates around Selma.

The mayor said the planning board should use the future land use plan as a guide when considering projects and should re-evaluate the plan more frequently to reflect rapid growth. "As part of your deliberations, you look at a project that comes before you and you state whether or not it fits within the guidelines of the future land use plan," the mayor said.

The mayor described a cluster of industrial and commercial projects shaping future growth, naming an "electricity certified site behind Cisco," industrial shell buildings planned by a private developer, Crystal Windows' proposed 550,000-square-foot building in the Eastfield area, and a new BJ's Wholesale and Target with projected openings. He said upgrades from NCDOT, including roundabouts near Little Divine Road and Buffalo Road, are part of the broader transportation picture.

Board members and residents pressed for specifics on downtown improvements. The mayor said downtown remains a designated historic district and that the town is pursuing a downtown sidewalk upfit and gateway signage in the FY26 budget cycle. He said the town has requested $1 million in state assistance for downtown sidewalk work and noted the high cost of rebuilding older sidewalks. "We're going to look at the tourism dollars that we have, particularly our fund balance, which is fairly healthy, to go and upgrade our way finding and gateway signage significantly," the mayor said.

On civic amenities, the mayor outlined planned parks and recreation projects: upgrades at the Richard B. Harrison Athletic Complex including an NCAA soccer field, pickleball courts with associated amenities, a splash pad behind the gymnasium, and a botanical garden between the senior center and gymnasium. He also said the town expects to finalize transfer of about 95 acres that will become the Selma Nature Preserve next to the Neuse River; the plan envisions trails and a future boat dock and floating classrooms as part of a long-term plan.

The mayor addressed concerns about taxes, saying the town does not intend to raise tax rates at this time and is reviewing how residential revaluations may affect taxpayers: "Our same tax rate will net us more tax dollars." He also described infrastructure needs and financing steps, noting the town has about $600,000 in Powell Bill funds and has applied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a $5 million loan to repair roads identified in a pavement condition study.

The mayor repeatedly framed the town's approach as balancing growth with preservation: Selma is a small historic downtown while also attracting large retail and industrial investment. "We have to find the balance of making sure we have a successful platform for business owners, providing the needs for our citizens at the same time, and holding on to that foundation, that history that is Selma, North Carolina," he said.

Board members were encouraged to bring ideas to council and to use planning-board discussions to inform updates to the town's land use plan. No formal action on land-use plan amendments was taken during the meeting; the mayor described the update process and urged further public and board input.

Looking ahead, the mayor said the town will evaluate infrastructure and departmental needs in the coming budget cycle and may pursue grant and loan funding to support sidewalks, street repairs and parks work.