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Matthews board continues two zoning hearings, approves UDO edits and sign plan
Summary
On Jan. 12 the Matthews Board continued two zoning hearings (including Abundant Life Church) to March 9, unanimously closed public hearings on three UDO text amendments, approved a master sign plan for Matthews Gateway and adopted the consent agenda.
The Matthews Board of Commissioners on Jan. 12 continued two zoning public hearings to March 9, approved three technical text changes to the town’s Unified Development Ordinance and approved a master sign plan for the Matthews Gateway East site at I‑485 and East John Street.
Continuances: The board voted to continue the public hearing on Abundant Life Church’s rezoning request and on Zoning Application 2025‑811 (Forex Builders at 409 West John Street) to March 9 so staff, applicants and residents can pursue additional technical follow-up and neighbor meetings. The Abundant Life continuance passed 5–1 with Commissioner Hacker opposed; the Forex Builders continuance passed unanimously.
UDO amendments: Staff presented three text amendments: removing a public‑improvement variance that duplicates state variance procedures, adding a fee‑in‑lieu option for curb and gutter where the sidewalk fee‑in‑lieu applies, and removing Internet sweepstakes/adult-gaming from the table of uses because it is illegal under state law. The board moved to close the public hearings and will return the text for final ordinance language and formal adoption steps.
Sign plan and consent items: The board approved a master sign plan for Matthews Gateway that reallocates allowable sign area to accommodate a proposed grocery tenant and committed to required photometric compliance; the consent agenda items 9a–c were adopted unanimously. The meeting adjourned after a brief mayor’s report about upcoming Martin Luther King Day events.
Votes at a glance: Abundant Life Church continuance — continued to 03/09/2026, vote 5–1; Forex Builders (Zoning Application 2025‑811) continuance — continued to 03/09/2026, unanimous; UDO text amendments — hearings closed, unanimous; Matthews Gateway master sign plan — approved, unanimous; consent agenda — adopted, unanimous.
What’s next: Staff will prepare updated materials and ordinance language where needed and will report back to the board before or at the March 9 meeting.
