Leland meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Leland roundup: Council set to weigh property exchange and grant funds; zoning overhaul draft unveiled

Council Regular Meeting — July 16

The Leland Town Council is scheduled to consider two resolutions with direct financial and property implications: Resolution R-26-050, authorizing the exchange of real property, and Resolution R-26-049, accepting grant award funds. Dollar amounts for either item were not listed in the available agenda.

The same session includes a presentation from the Leland Area Garden Club and service recognitions for Donn Garvey, Jean Klein, Michael Braddock, and Scott Hennis. Two public events are noted: the Founders Park grand opening on July 31 and a "Let's Talk Leland" event on July 29 at Fire Station 51.

Because minutes have not yet been published, it is not yet confirmed whether the resolutions were adopted or how members voted.

Council Agenda Meeting — July 13

Council reviewed a draft of Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Article 4, covering the official zoning map and district structure. Staff sought council feedback to be provided at the August agenda review meeting.

Proposed changes include:

• Retiring five legacy zoning districts: M‑F, C‑1, C‑2, C‑3, and RMH.
• Adding four new residential districts: R‑10, R‑8, R‑4, and R‑2.
• Creating three new commercial districts: Neighborhood Business and Service, Community Business and Service, and Regional Business and Service.
• Abolishing the US Highway 17 Overlay District.

This was a review item only; no adoption was scheduled.

Leland Tourism Development Authority — July 6

The LTDA agenda listed four resolutions for approval: R26-006 for a grant contract for an additional train, R26-005 for a grant contract for the Leland in Lights festival, R26-008 for the 2026 Our State Magazine marketing contract, and R26-009 authorizing promotional video production services. The board also planned to discuss the 2027 meeting schedule and review the LTDA's new branding and logo. Minutes are not yet published, so outcomes and vote tallies are not confirmed.

Economic Development Committee — July 9

The committee was scheduled to elect a chair and vice chair, discuss a strategic plan update, and receive a report from the NCEDA conference. The agenda also included the reappointment of Debra Pickett and the introduction of new members Karen Barefoot, William Chestnut, and Aaron Talley. Minutes are not yet published.

Board of Adjustment — July 7

The July 7 meeting was canceled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2026.

Coming up

• **Parks and Recreation Board — July 22, 2026:** Discussion items include the PROS Plan update and a Loblolly Park update. The board will also review approval of April 20 and May 27 meeting minutes and hear announcements for the Founders Park grand opening and the WECT Sounds of Summer concert on July 31, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Note: All recent meetings listed above are reflected as agenda-only items, with minutes not yet published. Final outcomes, vote tallies, and any dollar figures not included in the agendas cannot be confirmed until official minutes are released.

Leland roundup: Tourism contracts on agenda, zoning overhaul up for review, Council weighs property exchange

Tourism Development Authority

The Leland Tourism Development Authority met July 6 with several contracts on its agenda. Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed. Agenda items included Resolution R26-006, a grant contract for an additional train; Resolution R26-005, a grant contract for the Leland in Lights festival; Resolution R26-008, the 2026 Our State Magazine marketing contract; and Resolution R26-009, authorizing promotional video production services. The board was also scheduled to discuss the 2027 regular meeting schedule and review the LTDA's new branding and logo.

Board of Adjustment

The July 7 Board of Adjustment meeting was canceled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2026.

Economic Development Committee

The Economic Development Committee met July 9. Minutes are not yet published, so actions are not confirmed. The agenda called for election of a chair and vice chair, a strategic plan update discussion, a post-NCEDA conference report, and the reappointment of Debra Pickett. New members Karen Barefoot, William Chestnut, and Aaron Talley were to be introduced.

Council Agenda Meeting — Zoning Overhaul Review

The Leland Town Council meets today, July 13, to review the draft Unified Development Ordinance Article 4, which covers the official zoning map and district structure. Staff are seeking council feedback to be provided at the August agenda review meeting.

The draft proposes retiring five legacy zoning districts: M-F, C-1, C-2, C-3, and RMH. It would introduce four new residential districts — R-10, R-8, R-4, and R-2 — and create three new commercial districts: Neighborhood Business and Service, Community Business and Service, and Regional Business and Service. The proposal also abolishes the US Highway 17 Overlay District.

This is a review item only; no vote is scheduled.

Council Regular Meeting — Property Exchange and Grant Funds

The Council's July 16 regular meeting includes Resolution R-26-050, authorizing the exchange of real property, and Resolution R-26-049, accepting grant award funds. The session also features a presentation from the Leland Area Garden Club and review of several previous meeting minutes.

Service recognitions are listed for Donn Garvey, Jean Klein, Michael Braddock, and Scott Hennis.

Community Events Noted

The Founders Park grand opening is scheduled for July 31. A "Let's Talk Leland" event is set for July 29 at Fire Station 51.

Coming Up

• **July 13 — Council Agenda Meeting:** Review of draft UDO Article 4, zoning map and districts.
• **July 16 — Council Regular Meeting:** Real property exchange, grant award acceptance, Garden Club presentation, and service recognitions.
• **July 29 — Let's Talk Leland:** Fire Station 51.
• **July 31 — Founders Park Grand Opening.**
• **August 4 — Board of Adjustment:** Next regular meeting following the July 7 cancellation.

Leland Planning Board reviews zoning code updates; tourism board to consider train grant

Leland's Planning Board last month gathered feedback on proposed updates to the town's zoning code, including new rules for violations and a revamp of residential districts. No votes were taken. Meanwhile, the Leland Tourism Development Authority meets Monday to consider contracts for a new train, a festival, and marketing services.

Planning Board discusses zoning code updates

At its June 23 meeting, the Planning Board reviewed two draft sections of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The first, Article 10, covers violations and enforcement. The second, Article 4, addresses the zoning map and proposes creating four new residential districts — R-10, R-8, R-4, and R-2 — to replace older 'Legacy Districts' (M-F, C-1, C-2, C-3, and RMH). The board also received monthly transportation and staff reports. Minutes have not yet been published.

Tourism board to vote on contracts Monday

The Leland Tourism Development Authority meets July 6 at 6 p.m. to vote on four resolutions. Resolution R26-006 would approve a grant contract for an additional train. Resolution R26-005 covers a grant contract for the Leland in Lights festival. The board will also consider a 2026 marketing contract with Our State Magazine (Resolution R26-008) and a contract for promotional video production services (Resolution R26-009). The authority will also discuss its 2027 regular meeting schedule and review new branding and a logo.

Board of Adjustment meeting canceled

The Board of Adjustment scheduled for July 7 has been canceled. The next regular meeting is August 4.

Economic Development Committee to elect officers

The Economic Development Committee meets July 9 to elect a chair and vice chair, discuss an update to its strategic plan, and receive a report from the NCEDA conference. Debra Pickett is set to be reappointed, and new members Karen Barefoot, William Chestnut, and Aaron Talley will be introduced.

Coming up

• **Leland Tourism Development Authority** – Monday, July 6, 6 p.m.
• **Economic Development Committee** – Thursday, July 9, time TBD.
• **Board of Adjustment** – Next meeting August 4.