Hickory City Council approves annexation and two rezonings for clinic, transitional housing and townhomes

Hickory City Council unanimously approved three land‑use actions at its April 21 meeting: a voluntary contiguous annexation of a Springs Road parcel and two rezonings for a transitional housing project and a townhome development.

The council approved a petition to annex a 1.135‑acre parcel at 2633 Springs Road NE that city planning staff said is contiguous to Hickory and intended for a Carolina Quick Care health clinic. Planner Wilson Elliott told the council water is available to the site but sewer service is not yet extended; the owner has agreed to connect to city sewer at its own cost once the line is available. The council moved to approve the annexation without public opposition and the motion carried unanimously.

Council then approved Rezoning Petition 26‑02, which rezones roughly 3.69 acres at 112nd Avenue SE to planned development to allow 11 small, detached temporary housing units for Safe Harbor Rescue Mission’s clients. Planning Manager Cal Overby said the request is intended for transitional housing for women and that the planning commission recommended approval. Safe Harbor Executive Director Gigi Williams told the council the cottages will provide a place where residents can focus on employment and housing stability; she said pledges have been made to cover the 11 units. Amanda Sards, CEO of Cooperative Christian Ministry, spoke in support, describing high demand for housing among people who come to her nonprofit for help. The rezoning passed unanimously.

Finally, council approved Rezoning Petition 26‑03 to reclassify about 1.07 acres on 10th Street NE from industrial to R4 high‑density residential, which will allow up to 20 townhomes under the city’s land‑use code. Planner Wilson Elliott said the proposal is consistent with the Hickory by Choice 2030 plan and the regional planning commission recommended approval. No public opposition was offered and the council voted unanimously to approve the rezoning.

Votes at a glance - Annexation: voluntary contiguous annexation of 2633 Springs Road NE — approved unanimously (motion introduced SEG 703). Staff noted sewer is not yet present and the property would use septic until sewer is extended; owner agreed to connect when available. - Rezoning 26‑02 (Safe Harbor): rezoning to planned development for 11 transitional units at 112nd Avenue SE — approved unanimously (motion introduced SEG 996). Safe Harbor pledged funding for the cottages and said rents/program fees would be modest. - Rezoning 26‑03: rezone ~1.07 acres on 10th Street NE from industrial to R4 for up to 20 townhomes — approved unanimously (motion introduced SEG 1183).

Council members remarked that Councilman Freeman was absent from the meeting, but a quorum was present for all votes. The council’s approvals were based on staff findings that each petition is consistent with applicable statutes and the city’s comprehensive plan recommendations. The council did not attach additional conditions beyond those described in the staff presentations. The meeting adjourned after brief additional announcements.