Henderson City Council approves sick-leave change, creates downtown advisory board and denies zoning amendment

Henderson City Council voted April 8 to approve two personnel and governance measures and to deny a proposed zoning text amendment.

The council unanimously approved Resolution 24-12 to allow employees to begin using accrued sick leave after 30 days instead of waiting until the end of a six-month probationary period. City Manager Edward T. Blackmon summarized the change during the meeting; Councilmember Sara M. Coffey moved the resolution, and Councilmember Tami Walker seconded the motion.

The council also unanimously approved Resolution 24-24 to create a City of Henderson Downtown Advisory Board to meet North Carolina Main Street program requirements. Blackmon said the Downtown Development Commission voted on March 19, 2024, to remove itself as the acting Main Street board effective June 30, 2024. Councilmember Walker moved approval; Councilmember Michael Venable seconded.

On land-use business, the council considered Ordinance 24-02, which would have amended rules to allow hospitals and sanitoriums in B-2A (Highway Commercial “A”) districts with a special-use permit. Blackmon reviewed that the item had a prior public hearing, that the Planning Board returned no recommendation, and that the Land Planning Committee had found the proposed location unsuitable. After discussion, Councilmember Tami Walker moved to deny the ordinance; Councilmember Geraldine Champion seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

During public comment on the ordinance, resident Al Rivers said the empty building at the contested site might be better used as a diversion facility than remain vacant and suggested approval could aid law enforcement and the local hospital. The council’s formal action was a denial; no alternative site or follow-up vote was recorded in the meeting minutes.

All council procedural motions recorded in the minutes were approved unanimously and noted no absences.

The council adjourned at 7:36 p.m.