Lenoir County public meetings in 2024
19 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Adjustment
The Lenoir Board of Adjustment will consider four variance requests and one zoning appeal. Items include a 15‑foot setback variance at 1605 Harper Avenue, a 2.5‑foot street‑frontage variance at 1810 Coyote Creek Place to permit two houses, a signage variance at 117 Main Street NW, and an appeal concerning an adult gaming establishment at 312 Morganton Blvd SW. The board will also act on the October 21, 2024 meeting minutes.
- V#4-24: 15‑foot setback variance at 1605 Harper Avenue for leak repair (staff recommends approval).
- V#2-24: 2.5‑foot street‑frontage variance at 1810 Coyote Creek Place to allow two houses (staff recommends approval).
- V#3-24: Signage variance at 117 Main Street NW for 100 SF wall signage and 50 SF promotional signage (staff recommends denial).
- AP#1-24: Appeal for Adult Gaming Establishment at 312 Morganton Blvd SW (staff recommends denial).
- Consideration and approval of the October 21, 2024 Board of Adjustment minutes.
City Council
The Lenoir City Council will hold a public hearing on a Conditional Zoning‑9 amendment that would set a 5‑foot setback and a 3,600‑sq‑ft minimum lot size for a Lennar Homebuilders project off McLean Drive Extension. The council will also act on several consent‑agenda items, including minutes, an annexation petition for 4.07 acres at US‑321 and Blairs Fork Road, budget amendments for the Unifour Consortium HOME Program, and a disaster‑recovery services agreement with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments. Additionally, staff will recommend an order of abatement to demolish a structure at 309 Glendale St NW for minimum‑housing violations.
- Conditional Zoning‑9 amendment (CZ‑9) – 5‑ft setback, 3,600 sq ft lot minimum, McLean Drive Extension, applicant Lennar Homebuilders
- Resolution to check annexation petition for 4.07 acre parcel at US‑321 & Blairs Fork Road and schedule hearing Jan 7 2025
- Capital Project Budget Ordinance amendments: $321,825.61 for FY2022 Unifour HOME, $114,756.24 for FY2023 Unifour HOME, FY2024 re‑allocation
- Agreement with Western Piedmont Council of Governments for disaster recovery services related to Tropical Storm Helene
- Order of Abatement to demolish structure at 309 Glendale St NW for minimum‑housing ordinance violations
Planning Board
The Lenoir Planning Board will consider several land use requests, including a commercial rezoning and a wireless tower installation. The board will also discuss text amendments to the zoning ordinance regarding industrial districts and indoor recreation.
- Rezoning of 4.07 acres at 1829 Blowing Rock Blvd from Rural Residential to General Business
- Request to construct a 165-foot monopole wireless communication tower at 2550 Hickory Blvd
- Proposed amendment to allow Cultural and Community Facilities, Churches, Synagogues, and Mosques by right in industrial districts
- Text amendment to allow beach bingo wherever Indoor Recreation is permitted
- Proposed amendment to sign ordinance regulations regarding light pole banners at 321 Mulberry Street
City Council
The Lenoir City Council will meet to approve minutes, a professional services agreement for water line inventory, and a $6.88 million capital project budget for water infrastructure. The council will also consider orders to demolish structures with minimum housing violations.
- Approval of $6.88M Water Capital Project Budget
- Professional Services Agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc.
- Orders to demolish structures at 2118 Haven Circle SW and 1325 Underdown Avenue SW
- Proclamation for Small Business Saturday
- Approval of October 15 and October 22 City Council minutes
Planning Board
The Lenoir Planning Board will consider a zoning amendment for Lowes Rear Entrance Road off McLean Drive, seeking a 5‑foot minimum setback and a 3,600‑sq‑ft minimum lot size. It will also review a proposed amendment to the city sign ordinance for pole banners at 321 Mulberry Street. Both items are recommended for approval and a public hearing at the City Council meeting on December 3, 2024. An update on recent zoning permits will be provided.
- ZOA 3-24: Amend CZ‑9 to require a 5‑ft setback and 3,600 sq ft minimum lot size on Lowes Rear Entrance Road (off McLean Drive)
- ZOA 2-24: Amend sign ordinance to allow pole banners on privately owned light poles, limited to 15 sq ft and two per pole
- Update on zoning permits issued
City Council
The Caldwell County Board of Commissioners and Lenoir City Council will hold a joint public hearing to consider an Economic Development Agreement with Tapaha Dynamics, LLC for Project Cardinal. The agreement would provide performance‑based grant payments tied to ad valorem taxes for a $600,000,000 investment and creation of 30 full‑time jobs. The meeting also includes a public hearing on closing a portion of Virginia Street between 815 and 1021, and a water purchase and allocation agreement with Tapaha Dynamics.
- Economic Development Agreement for Project Cardinal – $600,000,000 investment, 30 jobs, grant payments of 50% of ad valorem taxes on improvements and 85% on equipment
- Public hearing on closing Virginia Street segment between 815 and 1021 Virginia Street
- Water Purchase & Allocation Agreement #2 with Tapaha Dynamics, LLC
- Project Cardinal site parcels: 914 Virginia Street (≈38.26 acres) and 919 Fairview Drive (≈21.63 acres)
- Staff recommends approval of the Economic Development Agreement
City Council
The Committee of the Whole will receive departmental updates and review a proposal for employee bonuses. The meeting includes reports on the Blue Ridge Memorial Park expansion and the September financial summary.
- Employee bonus request totaling $105,287.98 (gross cost)
- Blue Ridge Memorial Park Expansion Master Plan update
- September Financial Summary for General Fund, Downtown District, and Water/Sewer Fund
- Police Department Third Quarter Report (July-September 2024)
- Caldwell County re-evaluation update
Board of Adjustment
The Lenoir Board of Adjustment will hold an evidentiary hearing on three pending items. It will vote on a 5‑ft street‑frontage variance request for a parcel off Lee Roy Lane (NCPIN 2768135978). It will also consider a signage variance for 117 Main Street NW and an appeal concerning an adult gaming establishment at 312 Morganton Blvd SW.
- V# 2-24: 5‑ft street‑frontage variance for property off Lee Roy Lane (NCPIN 2768135978)
- V# 3-24: Signage variance for 117 Main Street NW – 100 SF permanent wall signage and 50 SF banner
- AP# 1-24: Appeal of zoning decision for adult gaming establishment at 312 Morganton Blvd SW
City Council
The Lenoir City Council meeting includes public hearings on two rezoning requests: 134 Ideal Drive SE (R-12 to R-6) and the northeast corner of Hickory Boulevard at Hwy 321 and Victoria Court (split B-2/R-15 to B-2). Two ordinance amendments to the city code’s sign regulations—one for electronic message boards and one for light‑pole banners—will also be heard. The council will approve several consent‑agenda items, including minutes, an NCDOT disaster‑relief debris removal agreement, and a fireworks permit for Hibriten High School.
- Rezoning 134 Ideal Drive SE from R-12 (Medium‑Density Single Family) to R-6 (Multi‑family) – NCPIN 2758560560
- Rezoning NE corner of Hickory Boulevard (Hwy 321 & Victoria Court) from split B-2/R-15 to B-2 – NCPIN 2758732805
- Ordinance amendment to allow electronic message boards in residential districts – applicant Doug Perkins
- Ordinance amendment to allow light‑pole banners on private poles for certain uses – applicant Emma Shell
- Consent agenda: approval of minutes, NCDOT Disaster Relief Debris Removal Agreement, and fireworks permit for Hibriten High School
City Council
The Lenoir City Council will consider several consent‑agenda items, including the award of an $87,445 construction contract for the Mulberry Recreation Center pickleball court conversion and the close‑out of the Smith Crossroads Sewer Project at a total cost of $2,259,923. The Council will also approve the acceptance of a $16,745,000 state reserve offer for the Lenoir‑Valdese Water Interconnect Project and adopt the 2025 City Council meeting schedule. In addition, the Council has already voted to close the unopened right‑of‑way off Sharon Street between Sharon Avenue and US‑321.
- Award contract to North State Resurfacing for Mulberry Recreation Center pickleball court conversion – $87,445
- Close‑out Smith Crossroads Sewer Project – total cost $2,259,923 (under budget by $320,677)
- Accept $16,745,000 Drinking Water/Wastewater State Reserve offer for Lenoir‑Valdese Water Interconnect Project
- Adopt 2025 City Council meeting schedule as submitted
- Approve closure of Sharon Street right‑of‑way between Sharon Avenue and US‑321
City Council
The Committee of the Whole is reviewing updates on public works and utilities, including a lead service line inventory. The body is discussing annual notices for customers with galvanized or unknown water service lines. Other items include reports from the Planning and Business Advisory boards.
- Discussion of Annual Notice of Lead Status for Galvanized Requiring Replacement and Unknown water service lines
- Resolution to declare Police K9 Major as surplus property and transfer ownership to Corporal Mitchell Foust
- Conceptual design update for Veterans Paver
- Update on Comprehensive Plan Vision and Guiding Principles
- Review of August Financial Summary
Planning Board
The Lenoir Planning Board considered four pending items. It approved the rezoning of 134/134B Ideal Drive SE from R‑12 (medium‑density single‑family) to R‑6 (high‑density residential) and the rezoning of a property at Hickory Blvd (321 and Victoria Ct.) to B‑2 (general business), recommending public hearings at City Council on October 15, 2024. The board also approved a pole‑banner amendment for 321 Mulberry Street and tabled the electronic‑message‑board amendment pending more information on lumens.
- Rezoning 134/134B Ideal Drive SE from R‑12 to R‑6 (R#4‑24) – approved, public hearing Oct 15
- Rezoning Hickory Blvd (321 & Victoria Ct. intersection) to B‑2 only (R#5‑24) – approved, public hearing Oct 15
- Pole banner amendment at 321 Mulberry Street (UNC Health Caldwell) – approved, public hearing Oct 15
- Electronic Message Board amendment citywide (ZOA#1‑24) – motion to table until Sep 23 passed unanimously
- Update on zoning permits issued – informational
City Council
The Lenoir City Council will hold a public hearing on September 17 to consider a Resolution of Intent to close the unopened right‑of‑way off Sharon Street between Sharon Avenue and US‑321. The council will also consider a Resolution of Intent to close a portion of Virginia Street from 815 to 1021 Virginia Street, with a public hearing scheduled for October 22. Additionally, the council will approve minutes from previous meetings.
- Public hearing and proposed closure of Sharon Street right‑of‑way between Sharon Avenue and US‑321
- Resolution of Intent to close Virginia Street from 815 to 1021 Virginia Street; public hearing set for Oct 22, 2024
- Approval of City Council minutes from September 3, 2024
- Approval of Committee of the Whole minutes from August 27, 2024
- Presentation by Executive Director Michael Bowman on Greenway Public Transportation and Caldwell Micro‑Transit Service
City Council
The City Council will review several consent items, including a construction management agreement and a grant application for lead service line replacement. The meeting also includes special recognitions for local first responders and a proclamation for Constitution Week.
- Contract with J.M. Cope, Inc. for $43,000.00 for Campus Improvements Project CMaR services
- Authorization to apply for the Fall 2024 Lead Service Line Identification and Replacement Grant
- Naming of Coyote Creek Place for a shared driveway off of LeRoy Lane
- Proclamation of September 15-22 as Constitution Week
- Withdrawal of rezoning application for property on Ellison Place
City Council
The Lenoir City Council will consider staff’s request to amend the Freese and Nichols contract to add the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which adds $50,000 funded by a grant and requires authorization for the City Manager to sign. The council will also review a recommendation to contract Mark III Brokerage, Inc. as the city’s benefit broker for $25,500, and a proposal to change the Parks and Grounds Equipment Operator title to Parks and Public Properties Superintendent. Additional agenda items include updates from public works, utilities, finance, and public safety departments.
- Amendment to Freese and Nichols contract to add Parks & Recreation Master Plan ($50,000 grant‑funded)
- Approval of Mark III Brokerage, Inc. benefit broker contract ($25,500)
- Job title change: Parks and Grounds Equipment Operator → Parks and Public Properties Superintendent
- July financial summary presented by Finance Director Donna Bean
- Quarterly reports from Police and Fire Departments (April–June) and July incident data
Planning Board
The Planning Board is discussing a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow electronic message boards and internal sign illumination in residential districts. The board will determine whether to recommend a public hearing for City Council on September 17, 2024.
- ZOA# 1-24: Proposed amendment to Appendix A, Article XI, section 1108 (c) regarding electronic message boards in residential districts
- Applicant: Doug Perkins, Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church
City Council
The City Council will hold public hearings regarding a rezoning request on Ellison Place and a special use permit for a church. The body is also deciding on several contracts, a property sale, and a demolition ordinance.
- Proposed rezoning of four vacant properties on Ellison Place to accommodate 11 single-family lots
- Special Use Permit request for Outcast Community Church at 117 Maple Drive NW
- Contract award of $139,432.35 to The Sports Flooring Group for Mulberry Recreation Center gym floor
- Sale of fire pump premises at 2001 International Boulevard to Sealed Air Corporation for $1,000
- Proposed demolition of the structure at 542 Wheeler Street via Minimum Housing Ordinance
City Council
The City Council will authenticate the FY2023 Tax Settlement Report and FY2024 Tax Receipt Charge. It will adopt a Resolution of Intent to close the unopened right‑of‑way on Sharon Street between Sharon Avenue and US‑321. The council will approve contract negotiations with J.M. Cope, Inc. for Construction Manager at Risk services on the Campus Improvement Project, award the Rotary Soccer Complex Picnic Shelter contract to Brushy Mountain Builders, Inc. for $48,000, and accept the Assistance to Firefighters Grant providing up to $62,170.47 with a 5% city match of $3,108.53.
- Resolution of Intent to close Sharon Street right‑of‑way (Sharon Avenue & US‑321)
- Contract negotiations with J.M. Cope, Inc. for Campus Improvement Project CMaR services
- Bid award for Rotary Soccer Complex Picnic Shelter – $48,000 to Brushy Mountain Builders, Inc.
- Assistance to Firefighters Grant – up to $62,170.47 federal funds, city match $3,108.53
- Authentication of FY2023 Tax Settlement Report and FY2024 Tax Receipt Charge
City Council
The City Council will hold public hearings regarding a rezoning request for 420 Virginia Street and a special use permit for a child care center at 111 Fairview Drive NW. The body will also consider several contracts and resolutions related to infrastructure and animal enforcement.
- Rezoning of 420 Virginia Street from I-2 (Heavy Industrial) to R-6 (High-Density Residential)
- Special Use Permit for a child care center at 111 Fairview Drive NW
- Construction contract for MLK Recreation Center Facility Improvements with Precision Contracting Company for $203,417.00
- Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan of $500,000 for Lead Service Line Identification Inventory
- Offer to purchase Fire Pump and Fire Pump Premises at 2001 International Boulevard for $1,000