Forest City public meetings in 2023
28 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Planning and Adjustment
The Board of Planning and Adjustment will consider text amendments regarding temporary RV residency and the operation of a residential care facility. The board will also review a residential rezoning request and set its 2024 meeting calendar.
- TA-2023-0006: Text amendment to allow temporary living in recreational vehicles during new construction
- RZ-2023-0003: Request to rezone 392 Arlington St from PRD to R-8
- TA-2023-0007: Text amendment for a detox and residential inpatient facility at 324 Horn Bottom Rd
- 2024 Board of Planning and Adjustment Calendar
Regular Council - 18 Dec 2023 - CANCELLED
The Regular Council meeting scheduled for December 18, 2023, was cancelled.
Regular Council
The Council will consider several zoning changes, including a request to relocate the Farmers Market and a proposal to restrict smoke shops from Main Street. The meeting also includes a review of October financials and a fire rescue contract addendum.
- Public hearing on TA 2023-0004 to reduce the required buffer for Body Piercing & Tattoo Studios from 700 ft to 200 ft
- Public hearing on RZ 2023-0001 to rezone three properties for the relocation of the Farmers Market
- Public hearing on TA 2023-0005 to define Smoke Shops & Tobacco Shops and prohibit them from fronting E Main St or W Main St
- Public hearing on RZ 2023-0002 to rezone 0 S Powell St from C-2 to C-T for apartments or single-family houses
- Annual Addendum to the County Service District Contract for Forest City Fire Rescue
Regular Council - 20 Nov 2023 - CANCELLED
The Regular Council meeting scheduled for November 20, 2023, has been cancelled. No other items were listed on the agenda.
Regular Council
The Council is considering calling public hearings for December 4, 2023, regarding text amendments for tattoo studios and smoke shops, as well as two rezoning requests. The meeting also includes a presentation on the FY 23 audit and the 2024 meeting schedule.
- Proposed public hearing for TA 2023-0004 to reduce the buffer requirement for Body Piercing & Tattoo Studios from 700 ft to 200 ft
- Proposed public hearing for RZ 2023-0001 to rezone three properties (PINs 1653335, 1626584, 1626585) for a Farmers Market
- Proposed public hearing for TA 2023-0005 to define and regulate Smoke Shops & Tobacco Shops, including a ban on fronting E Main St or W Main St
- Proposed public hearing for RZ 2023-0002 to rezone 0 S Powell St from C-2 to C-T for apartments or single-family houses
- Resolution for the designation of an applicant's agent for a BRIC Grant
Board of Planning and Adjustment
The Board of Planning and Adjustment is considering several text amendments and rezoning requests. Key items include adjusting distance requirements for tattoo studios and defining smoke shops for better regulation.
- TA-2023-0004: Proposal to decrease the buffer requirement for Body Piercing & Tattoo Studios from 700 ft to 50 ft
- RZ-2023-0001: Request to rezone three properties (PINs 1653335, 1626584, 1626585) from R-6, C-1, and C-2 to C-T for a Farmers Market
- TA-2023-0005: Proposed text amendment to officially define Smoke Shops & Tobacco Shops in the UDO
- RZ-2023-0002: Request by Jimmy and Sonja Hooper to rezone 0 S Powell St from C-2 to C-T for apartments or single-family houses
Regular Council
The Council will discuss a Memorandum of Agreement with the Foothills NC Home Consortium for affordable housing. The body will also review September financials and a request to award a service weapon to a retiring sergeant.
- Foothills NC Home Consortium MOA for HOME Investment Partnership Program affordable housing
- Award of service weapon (Sig Sauer model P320) to Sgt. Troy Scroggs
- Review of September financials and cash balances
- Closure of Beaver Street from Florence Street to Valley Street on October 29, 2023, for a community festival
Board of Planning and Adjustment - 21 Sep 2023 CANCELLED
The meeting scheduled for September 21, 2023, was cancelled. The agenda included proposed changes to tattoo shop buffer requirements, a farmers market rezoning, and the definition of smoke shops.
- TA-2023-0004: Proposal to decrease the 700 ft buffer requirement for body piercing and tattoo studios to 50 ft
- RZ-2023-0001: Request to rezone three properties (PINs 1653335, 1626584, 1626585) from R-6, C-1, and C-2 to C-T for a Farmers Market
- TA-2023-0005: Proposed text amendment to define and regulate Smoke Shops & Tobacco Shops
Regular Council
The Town Council will discuss a lease agreement for the Forest City Owls and review August financial reports. The body is also considering a budget amendment related to a grant award.
- Forest City Owls McNair Lease Agreement
- Budget Amendment 09-11-23 Grant Award
- August Financials and Cash Balances
- Police Department promotions for Sgt. Chris Hopper and S.P.O Leslie Meade
Regular Council - 21 Aug 2023 - CANCELLED
The regular council meeting scheduled for August 21, 2023, has been cancelled. No other items were listed on the agenda.
Board of Planning and Adjustment
The Board of Planning and Adjustment will discuss a request to reduce the 700-foot buffer requirement for body piercing and tattoo studios. The board will also consider a rezoning request for town-owned property to allow for a farmers market.
- TA-2023-0004: Request by Jackie Clark to remove certain uses from the 700 ft buffer for tattoo and body piercing studios
- RZ-2023-0001: Proposed rezoning of approximately 2.15 acres along Oak St, Park Square, and Young St from R-6 and C-2 to C-T for a Farmers Market
Regular Council
The Council is holding public hearings to establish regulations for tourist homes and short-term rentals. Members are also considering a petition to annex six properties known as Gateway West into town limits.
- Public hearing on Ordinance 819 to regulate short-term rentals, including limits on occupancy and a requirement for 24-hour local contacts
- Public hearing on Ordinance 820 regarding the annexation of 6 properties (Gateway West) petitioned by Rutherford County and Skyla Credit Union
- Proposed short-term rental parking requirement of 1 space per bedroom
- Promotion of Brad Moore within the Forest City Police Department
- Financial report presentation by Roxanne Stiles
Regular Council
The Council will receive a presentation on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update. The body is also deciding on a concessions contract for the Pavilion on Park Square and several budget and project ordinances.
- POPS Concessions Contract with Explore Forest City
- Budget Amendment Ordinance 816
- Amendment to Capital Project Ordinance 817 for Park Square Depot
- Ordinance 818 regarding 5ks and Walks
- Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update presentation
Regular Council
The Town Council will conduct a public hearing regarding the recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2024. The body is also considering a mutual aid agreement between fire departments and a capital project for the Park Square Depot.
- Public hearing for FY 24 Recommended Budget
- Capital Project Ordinance 813 for Park Square Depot totaling $1,775,000
- Automatic Aid Agreement between Rutherfordton Fire Department and Forest City Fire Department
- Resolution 725 to set an August 7, 2023 public hearing for Gateway West annexation
- Budget Amendment Ordinance 814 including $28,000 for sanitation contracted services
Regular Council
The Council is considering a text amendment (TA 2023-0004) to modify the 700-foot buffer requirement for body piercing and tattoo studios. The body will also discuss the FY 24 recommended budget and the renaming of a gymnasium.
- Public hearing for TA 2023-0004 regarding body piercing and tattoo studio buffers
- Proposed renaming of Cool Springs Gymnasium to Larry K. Ross Gymnasium
- Call for public hearing on TA 2023-0003
- Re-appointment of Angie Smith to the ABC Board
- Resolution 723 to investigate the sufficiency of an annexation request petition
Board of Planning and Adjustment
The Board of Planning and Adjustment will discuss a proposed text amendment to establish regulations for short-term rentals and tourist homes. The board is also addressing the reappointment of members for the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and Historic Preservation Commission.
- Proposed amendment to UDO 3.3.3, UDO Ch 4, and UDO Ch 9 regarding Short Term Rentals
- Proposed occupancy limits of two guests per bedroom plus two additional occupants for short-term rentals
- Reappointment of five members to the Board of Planning and Adjustment
- Reappointment of five members (4 members, 1 alternate) to the Board of Adjustment
- Reappointment of five members to the Historic Preservation Commission
Regular Council
The Council is calling for a public hearing and holding discussions regarding the FY 24 budget. The body is also considering an automatic aid agreement for structure fires between Forest City Fire Rescue and several other fire departments.
- Call for a public hearing for the FY 24 Budget
- Proposed Automatic Aid Agreement between Forest City Fire Rescue and Bostic, Hudlow, Rutherfordton, SDO, Sandy Mush, and Spindale fire departments
Regular Council
The Council will hold public hearings on two text amendments and discuss a proposed contract for road work. The body is also reviewing a water shortage response plan and financial reports from March 2023.
- Proposed contract to Stott Construction Company for Mountainview Street Resurfacing Project in the amount of $302,058.13
- Public hearing on TA 2023-0002 regarding multi-family dwelling ordinance changes and C-3 district permissions
- Public hearing on TA 2023-0001
- Call for a public hearing on TA 2023-0004
- Review of Water Shortage Response Plan and Resolution
Board of Planning and Adjustment
The Board of Planning and Adjustment will discuss proposed ordinance amendments to regulate short-term rentals and tattoo studios. Town staff is recommending the adoption of specific rules for tourist homes, as current ordinances do not address them.
- TA-2023-0003: Proposed ordinance amendments to allow and regulate Short Term Rentals in districts R-20, R-6, OI, C-1, C-T, C-2, and C-3
- TA-2023-0004: Request by Jackie Clark to remove certain uses from the required 700 ft buffer for Body Piercing & Tattoo Studios
Regular Council - 17 Apr 2023 - Budget Work Session
The Council will hold a budget work session and consider a contract recommendation for sewer rehabilitation. Odom Engineering, PLLC recommends awarding the project to Two Brothers Utilities.
- Proposed $229,977 contract to Two Brothers Utilities for the Old Caroleen Road Sewer Rehab Project
- Budget work session
Regular Council
The Council will discuss reducing speed limits to 25 mph on four streets and call public hearings for two text amendments. The body is also reviewing a water supply plan and an external audit contract.
- Ordinance 808 to reduce speed limits to 25 mph on Poplar Street, Rollins Street, Sunset Drive, and Westside Drive
- Public hearing call for TA-2023-0001 regarding animal services in residential/agriculture districts
- Public hearing call for TA-2023-0002 regarding multi-family presentations
- FY23 external audit contract for Gould Killian CPA Group, P.A. for $31,100
- Resolution 721 approving the Local Water Supply Plan
Board of Planning and Adjustment
The Board of Planning and Adjustment will discuss two text amendments to the unified development ordinance. These proposals aim to expand where animal services and multi-family housing projects can be located within the town.
- TA-2023-0001: Proposal by Jeff & Leigh-Anna Bailey to allow animal services (without outdoor kennels) in large residential and agricultural districts
- TA-2023-0002: Town staff proposal to amend ordinances to facilitate an increase in multi-family development projects
- Discussion regarding the Tuesday meeting date for the Board's Rules of Procedure
Regular Council
The Forest City Council will meet to discuss a right of way agreement with the Rutherford Railroad Development Corporation. The meeting also includes a presentation on the electrical distribution system.
- Rutherford Railroad Development Corporation Right of Way Agreement
- Electrical Distribution System Study presentation by Southeastern Consulting Engineers
Regular Council
The Town Council will receive presentations on a fire department staffing study and a police department update. The body will also consider declaring several vehicles as surplus and review the January 2023 financial report.
- Fire Department Station Analysis and Staffing Study presentation
- Police Department Update presentation
- Proposed surplus of two police vehicles: 2009 Chevrolet Impala and 2010 Ford Fusion
- Review of January 2023 Financial Report
Regular Council - Budget Work Session
The Council is meeting for a budget work session to review software and utility infrastructure. Discussions include a water and sewer rate study and capital improvement updates.
- iamGIS Software Presentation
- Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Plan Update
- Lead and Copper Update
- Water and Sewer Rate Study
Regular Council
The Council will discuss a revised design for the Park Square Depot and a recommended pay classification restructure for the Electric Department. The body is also considering the re-appointment of Robert Wolf to the Forest City Housing Authority.
- Re-appointment of Robert Wolf to the Forest City Housing Authority through February 2028
- Proposed pay grade increases for Electric Department positions, including Line Technicians and Superintendents
- Revised design for the Forest City Park Square Depot
- Financial report for December 2022
- Grant announcement for the Forest City Park Square Depot
Board of Planning and Adjustment
The Board of Planning and Adjustment is meeting to review and adopt formal rules of procedure for the Planning Board, the Board of Adjustment, and the Historic Preservation Commission. The board will also review the 2023 meeting schedule.
- Draft Planning Board Rules of Procedure
- Draft Board of Adjustment Rules of Procedure
- Draft Historic Preservation Commission Rules of Procedure
- 2023 Meeting Schedule
Regular Council
The Forest City Council will review a revised conceptual design for the Park Square Depot. The body is also considering a budget amendment for a Governor's Crime Commission grant and reviewing the November 2022 financial report.
- Revised conceptual design presentation for Park Square Depot
- Budget amendment for $24,500 Governor's Crime Commission Grant for Police Dept equipment
- Financial Report for November 2022
- Forest City Police Department technology update