Forest City, NC

Board of Planning and Adjustment

The Forest City Board of Planning and Adjustment will hold a public hearing on a variance request from David Michael Waters for 0 Allendale Dr (parcel 1632953) to waive sidewalk construction and payment-in-lieu requirements under the UDO. The board will also review and approve minutes from the August 6, 2026 meeting. No other substantive business is listed.

• Public hearing on VAR-2026-0001: sidewalk variance for 0 Allendale Dr, parcel 1632953, requesting waiver of sidewalk construction and payment-in-lieu requirements
• Approval of minutes from August 6, 2026 meeting
• Public comment period

Board of Planning and Adjustment

The Board of Planning and Adjustment will consider a text amendment to define and regulate Mobile Food/Beverage Vendors (food trucks) in the UDO. Currently, food trucks are treated as temporary uses limited to 45 days per property; the proposed change would allow up to 180 days per calendar year. The board will also approve minutes from the June 18, 2026 meeting.

• Text amendment TA-2026-0001 to add definition of Mobile Food/Beverage Vendors and extend maximum stay from 45 to 180 calendar days per property
• Food trucks would be permitted only in C-1, C-T, C-2, C-3, and M-1 zoning districts
• Requires proof of property owner approval and appropriate garbage receptacles
• Approval of minutes from the June 18, 2026 meeting

Regular Council

The council will hold a public hearing and vote on RZ-2026-0001, a request by Royal American Development to rezone 0 Lawing Road from M-1 (Manufacturing) to C-3 (Highway Commercial) for a 96-unit multifamily residential community called The Pointe on Lawing. Staff and the Planning Board recommend approval, finding the rezoning inconsistent with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan but reasonable and in the public interest. Other items include an urban archery ordinance, a sewer regionalization study contract with Cliffside Sanitary District, and a budget amendment.

• Public hearing on RZ-2026-0001: rezoning 20.86 acres at 0 Lawing Road from M-1 to C-3 for a $30 million, 96-unit multifamily development (The Pointe on Lawing)
• Urban Archery Ordinance (unfinished business) — second reading or discussion
• Town of Forest City/Cliffside Sanitary District Sewer Regionalization Study Contract
• Budget Amendment for FY26
• Items declared surplus: 2003 International line truck, 1979 American LaFrance fire truck, Buffalo blower

Regular Council

The Forest City Council will vote on a 20-year interlocal agreement to continue treating Ellenboro’s wastewater. Staff also recommends approving a budget amendment to allocate a $45,000 grant for Callison Pool improvements. Additionally, the council will schedule a public hearing for a Royal American Development rezoning request on Lawing Road and approve a street closure ordinance for the Hot Nights Cool Rides car show.

• Interlocal Agreement for Sewer Services with the Town of Ellenboro (20-year term)
• Budget Amendment FY27: Appropriates $45,000 grant for Callison Pool upgrades
• Rezoning Request RZ 2026-0001: Royal American Development application for 0 Lawing Road
• Ordinance approving street closure for the Hot Nights Cool Rides car show
• Presentation on urban hunting and archery regulations

Special Meeting

This is a procedural special meeting focused on a closed session regarding attorney-client privilege. The agenda consists only of standard procedural steps.

• Call to Order
• Closed Session
• Attorney-Client Privilege discussion
• Reconvene Open Session
• Adjournment

Board of Planning and Adjustment

The Board will consider a request to rezone approximately 21 acres from manufacturing to highway commercial to allow for high-density residential development. This follows the recent approval of a 164-lot subdivision at Piney Ridge Road.

• Rezoning request: 0 Lawing Rd (M-1 to C-3)
• Multi-family residential development proposal
• 20.86-acre property rezoning

Regular Council

The Forest City Board of Commissioners will vote on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget ordinance, which includes a property tax rate of $0.59 per $100 valuation and total expenditures of approximately $47.9 million across the General, Water & Sewer, Electric, and Parks & Recreation funds. The meeting also includes a call for a special session on June 22.

• Adoption of FY27 Budget Ordinance ($21.8M General Fund, $9.2M Water & Sewer, $13.9M Electric)
• Property tax rate set at $0.59 per $100 valuation
• Call for Special Meeting on June 22, 2026 at 12:00pm
• Approval of FY27 Schedule of Rates and Fees
• Police budget appropriation of $5.0M

Regular Council

The council holds a public hearing and considers adopting the FY27 budget ordinance. The proposed budget includes a 10% increase in water rates, a 3% COLA for employees, and a fire tax increase to 14%. The property tax rate remains unchanged at $0.59 per $100 assessed valuation.

• Public hearing and adoption of FY27 Budget Ordinance (total revenues $11,024,523)
• Consider Daniel Road subdivision (SUB 2026-0001)
• Approve sewer operations agreement with Ellenboro
• Approve budget amendment for FY27
• Approve purchasing policy authorizing electronic payments

Board of Planning and Adjustment

The Board of Planning and Adjustment will consider a preliminary plat for a 164-lot subdivision on 0 Piney Ridge Rd, increased from 152 lots approved in December 2024. Staff recommends approval. The board will also approve previous minutes, hear public comment, and receive training from the UNC School of Government.

• Subdivision SUB-2026-0001: 164 single-family lots on 0 Piney Ridge Rd (property of Rutherford County)
• Increase from 152 lots previously approved in December 2024
• Staff report recommends approval
• Public comment period
• UNC School of Government training for board members

Regular Council

The Council will receive a presentation on the recommended budget for fiscal year 2027 and call for a public hearing on the budget for June 1, 2026. The body will also consider a capital project ordinance for electric infrastructure and a new purchasing policy.

• FY27 Manager's Recommended Budget presentation
• ARC Grant Electric Tie Line Expansion Project appropriation of $887,000
• Resolution to authorize electronic payments and a new Purchasing Policy
• FY26 Audit Contract recommendation
• Approval of surplus list including a 1988 Grumman Engine and two 2006 Ford F150s

Board of Planning and Adjustment

The Board of Planning and Adjustment will consider a variance request from George Parker to place an accessory structure in the front yard at 685 Bostic Sunshine Hwy due to hardships. The board will also reappoint members to expiring terms on the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and Historic Preservation Commission. Public comment and approval of previous minutes are on the agenda.

• Variance request VAR-2026-0002 for accessory structure at 685 Bostic Sunshine Hwy
• Reappointment of Bob Mellnik, Earl Thompson, Ken Warren, and Jeff Brookshire to various boards
• Approval of January 15, 2026 minutes

Regular Council - 04 May 2026 - Budget Work Session

The Town of Forest City Council will begin with a closed session covering attorney‑client privilege matters (G.S. 143‑318.11(a)(3)) and personnel issues (G.S. 143‑318.11(a)(6)). The council will then reconvene the open session, conduct a budget work session, and adjourn.

• Closed session: attorney‑client privilege (G.S. 143‑318.11(a)(3))
• Closed session: personnel matters (G.S. 143‑318.11(a)(6))
• Reconvene open session
• Budget work session
• Adjournment

Regular Council

The Forest City Council will vote on a budget amendment that allocates $65,000 for a golf course sprayer for Parks and Recreation. The council will also consider a recommendation to award the Arlington Street and South Magnolia Street sewer rehab and resurfacing contract to Two Brothers Utilities for $1,022,059.50. Additional new‑business items include budget work sessions on Marketing and Events and on Code Enforcement/Inspections.

• Approve $65,000 budget amendment for a golf course sprayer (Parks and Recreation)
• Recommend awarding Two Brothers Utilities a $1,022,059.50 contract for Arlington St & S. Magnolia St sewer rehab and resurfacing
• Budget work session on Marketing and Events (no dollar amount specified)
• Budget work session on Code Enforcement/Inspections (no dollar amount specified)

Regular Council - 06 Apr 2026 - Budget Work Session

The Town Council will consider a resolution that authorizes Town Manager Janet Mason, or Mayor Steve Holland if she is absent, to sign, submit, and certify the Renew NC Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) pre‑screening and full applications for Hurricane Helene recovery. The applications aim to secure funding for the Commercial District Revitalization Program and the Community Infrastructure Program, which support commercial‑district revitalization, small‑business assistance, and infrastructure repair. The agenda also lists routine items such as a call to order, a budget work session, and adjournment.

• Resolution authorizing the Town Manager (or Mayor if absent) to sign and submit the Renew NC CDBG-DR pre‑screening and full applications for Hurricane Helene recovery

Regular Council

The Forest City Council will consider awarding a $998,900 installment financing contract to Truist Bank for a fire truck and vote on a text amendment to increase the size of accessory dwellings. The body will also approve spring paving bids and a capital project ordinance.

• Fire truck financing contract with Truist Bank ($998,900)
• Text amendment to increase accessory dwelling size limits
• Spring paving bid recommendations
• Capital project ordinance for Dogwood Health Trust
• Swearing in of Police Officer Donovan Moore

Regular Council - Budget Work Session

The Council will conduct a budget work session focusing on street, water, sewer, and electric services. The body will also consider the appointment of Keely McBrayer to the Forest City Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

• Budget work session for street, water, sewer, and electric
• Proposed appointment of Keely McBrayer to the Forest City Housing Authority Board of Commissioners

Regular Council

The Board will discuss unfinished business, including a recommendation to call a public hearing on March 16, 2026 for TA 2025-0006 Housing Regulations for Accessory Structures. New business items include a budget amendment for a Fire Department grant, a grant project ordinance for the OSBM Helene Local Government Capital Grant Program, and a contract to purchase the Pryor Street property. The meeting will also review December financial statements and a budget work session for Parks and Recreation and IT.

• Call for public hearing on TA 2025-0006 Housing Regulations for Accessory Structures (March 16, 2026)
• Electric Distribution Extensions for Subdivisions
• Budget Amendment – Fire Dept Grant
• Grant Project Ordinance – OSBM Helene Local Government Capital Grant Program
• Contract to Purchase Pryor Street Property

Regular Council - Budget Work Session - Cancelled

The Forest City Regular Council meeting scheduled for February 2, 2026, has been cancelled.

Board of Planning and Adjustment

The Board of Planning and Adjustment will consider a text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance to allow accessory dwellings to exceed half the square footage of the primary dwelling. The board will also welcome new members and review the schedule for upcoming meetings.

• Text amendment to UDO Section 4.2 to increase accessory dwelling square footage
• Welcome of new Board members Linda Greene and Jeff Brookshire
• Review of Board of Planning and Adjustment meeting schedule

Regular Council

The Forest City Council will discuss a grant application for the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program for FY 26‑27, and adopt revised rules for Cool Springs Cemetery and Alexander Cemetery. Additional items include declaring two town vehicles surplus, a recap of the Hometown Holidays events, and a manager's report.

• North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program Grant Application for FY 26‑27 (Chief LeRoy)
• Revised cemetery rules for Cool Springs Cemetery and Alexander Cemetery (Janet Mason)
• Declaration of surplus: 2005 Ford F250 pickup (Fire) and 2011 Ford Transit van (IT)
• Hometown Holidays Recap (Janet Mason)
• Manager's Report (Janet Mason)