Mooresville council tables rezoning request for narrow site amid safety concerns

At its final regular meeting of 2025, the Mooresville Town Council voted to table consideration of Ordinance 12-2025, a request to rezone a small, narrow property from business district B3 to the more restrictive B1 classification.

Legal counsel told the council that, because no final action had yet been taken, the owner could elect either to proceed with B3 or change the request to B1 without restarting the full process. Several council members said they were uncomfortable approving a rezoning in the owner's absence and raised concerns that the site’s narrow layout would add unsafe traffic stress to the area.

The applicant, who said they had reviewed the BZA and planning commission packets with staff, told the council they planned to "start the process of a b 1 with a variance" and asked whether they must continue to pay the application fee. Town staff confirmed an applicant could change the request to B1 and advised reviewing the packet before returning to council for a decision.

Council members emphasized neighbor input and public-safety considerations. One council member said they were "not comfortable rezoning it, period" and urged the owner to attend a future meeting. After those exchanges, the council voted to table the item and asked legal counsel to contact the property owner with options and deadlines.

The tabled status leaves the applicant able to return with a B1 request or let the matter remain unchanged if no action is taken within the council’s procedural window. The council said it expects the applicant and neighboring residents to have an opportunity to appear before a final vote is taken.