Council updates business-license schedule per state law and extends temporary moratorium on residential rezonings

On second reading the council approved an amendment to the town business license ordinance to update the class schedule as required by Act 176 of 2020 (the Business License Standardization Act), town staff said. Chris Pettit told council there were no changes to the item since first reading; the council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance by voice vote.

The council also took up a first-reading ordinance to amend ordinance 25-16 and extend a temporary moratorium on acceptance and processing of applications for rezoning or annexation of new residential developments. Chris Pettit said the moratorium was adopted earlier this year to pause new residential development while the town updates its comprehensive plan, downtown master plan and parks and recreation plan. The extension will run through March, or end earlier if canceled by council; council members noted they could return to the issue and vote for a different extension length or further extension if necessary.

Council members emphasized the moratorium’s intent to allow town staff and the council to finalize a shared vision prior to accepting new residential applications. One councilmember asked for clarity about when ordinance review related to those plans would begin; staff said the code and tax-amendment changes would proceed once the town and council are in agreement on vision. The council approved the moratorium extension by voice vote.