Henderson City Council approves rezonings, demolition contract and multiple grant applications

HENDERSON — The Henderson City Council on Feb. 10 approved a set of zoning changes, a demolition contract tied to water-reclamation plant violations, and multiple grant applications, while also directing staff to return with cost details on potential ongoing maintenance for some grants.

The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 20-05 to rezone 730 and 732 East Avenue from R-6 (High Density Residential) to B-4 (Neighborhood Commercial) at the request of Holy Temple Church, which said it plans a future community enrichment center and currently uses one lot for overflow parking. Development Services Director Corey Williams told the council the rezoning is consistent with the 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Rev. Ola Thorpe Cooper described tutoring and community services the church already provides and asked for approval; the motion passed with seven yes votes and one member absent.

The council also unanimously adopted Ordinance 20-06 to amend the zoning ordinance to allow short-term sleeping quarters in Industrial/Manufacturing districts when authorized by a special use permit and subject to conditions: the sleeping area may be no more than 5% of gross floor area or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less, and will require an annual fire inspection. Bill Overby of Rebuild Hope told the council the organization fields volunteer teams from multiple counties and plans to convert about 880 square feet of an old Coca-Cola building into three bunk-style rooms to house short-term volunteers. Council members commended Rebuild Hope’s work.

On capital work, City Manager E. Terrell Blackmon summarized bids to demolish obsolete treatment structures at the Henderson Water Reclamation Facility after the North Carolina Division of Environmental Quality issued a Notice of Violation. Eight bids were received and the lowest was from Corbett Clearing and Demolition. With a 10% contingency and $5,000 for administrative and legal costs, the total project expense presented to council was $351,000, to be funded from the Rate Stabilization Fund. Council approved Resolution 20-16 awarding the contract.

Council denied, by motion, the sale of a jointly owned property at 318 Rowland Street after Blackmon noted a County offer of $1,161 and the property’s assessed tax value of $19,697; unpaid taxes total $3,579 (City’s portion $1,437) plus $398 in interest and $387 in attorney fees. Blackmon recommended retaining the lot for potential redevelopment.

Budget housekeeping and intergovernmental items were also approved: Ordinance 20-07 transfers funds for additional Stantec work requested by the Kerr Lake Regional Water System partners to address board questions, a resolution authorizing submission of an application for the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program (SAFE) to fund three officers in Year 1 (100% grant funding), and routine consent items including acceptance of a $45,507 Bureau of Justice Project Safe grant.

Council ratified Resolution 20-15 to apply for funding for a Portable Camera Tower through the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Governor’s Crime Commission. Council members asked that staff return with estimated recurring maintenance and software costs for the camera tower, which were not available at the meeting because the Police Chief had to leave for an emergency.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 20-05 (Rezoning 730 & 732 East Avenue to B‑4): APPROVED. Vote: YES: Williams, Burnette, Rainey, Elliott, Daeke, Simmons, Spriggs. ABSENT: Coffey. - Ordinance 20-06 (Zoning text amendment permitting short‑term sleeping quarters): APPROVED. Vote: unanimous of members present. - Resolution 20-16 (Award HWRF demolition contract to Corbett Clearing & Demolition, LLC): APPROVED. Vote: unanimous of members present. Project cost presented as $351,000 (includes contingency and $5,000 admin/legal). - Resolution 20-13 (Disposition of 318 Rowland Street — sale): DENIED. Vote: unanimous of members present. - Ordinance 20-07 (Transfer funds to CIP Regional Water — Stantec project): APPROVED. Vote: unanimous of members present. - Resolution 20-09 (Ratify submission for Governor’s Highway Safety Program — SAFE Unit): APPROVED. Vote: unanimous of members present. Grant structure described as 100% Year 1, 75% Year 2, 50% Year 3 (City match required thereafter). - Resolution 20-15 (Ratify submission for Portable Camera Tower grant): APPROVED. Vote: unanimous of members present.

Why it matters: the rezoning and text amendment enable local nonprofit programming and short-term volunteer housing; the demolition contract addresses a regulatory notice at a public utility and will draw from dedicated rate stabilization funds; and the grant submissions could add enforcement capacity and surveillance equipment that will carry future local costs if awarded.

The meeting closed after reports and a closed session; Manager Blackmon informed the council that the Police Chief had left earlier after being notified of the death of one of his officers. The council adjourned at 7:50 p.m.