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Following a public hearing at its Nov. 18 meeting, Albemarle City Council members voted 4-3 to rescind a number of sections of Text Amendment 24-03, which addressed minimum design standards, buffer yard requirements, landscaping, paving, sidewalks, pedestrian amenities, structures on underdeveloped lots and which established a Special Environs Overlay District in the City Lake area along the western city limits of Albemarle.
The vote concurred with a unanimous (9-0) recommendation from the Albemarle Planning and Zoning Board on Nov. 7, which noted that should the amendment be rescinded, its initiatives and purposes would be addressed (and possibly improved upon) in the future land use plan currently being formulated.
“It is the presumption that this committee will result in various recommendations to accomplish land use initiatives within the city and may improve upon the recommendations of the previously recommended ordinances,” the recommendation stated in part.
The rescinded amendment had been adopted on June 17, 2024, and came in response to a number of concerns expressed by residents regarding development and its effects on runoff and flooding in the area, and in Albemarle in general.
During the Nov. 18 public hearing, four citizens expressed concerns with the potential rescindment of the amendment.
Carla Weyrick referenced flooding events from 1997, 2018, 2022 and 2024.
“The current flood zone maps reflect outdated conditions,” she observed, adding that “we are being asked to allow more development to areas that flood.”
Lane Lowder of A.L. Lowder, Inc. also recounted past flooding events.
“In 1997, our offices were flooded, and after flooding in 2018, three businesses in Albemarle were damaged and had to close and have never reopened.”
He also proposed a pause in development until the problems could be addressed.
“I would recommend a moratorium on development until the situation can be resolved,” Lowder said.
Paige Emerson, a resident of City Lake Drive, questioned why the council would consider rescinding their earlier action.
“When the zoning board and city council heard our concerns and adopted (text amendment 24-03), we breathed a sigh of relief,” she said, adding that “if you rescind (the amendment) it will lead to continued harassment by developers.”
Regarding the alleged harassment, Emerson recalled that one developer had offered her “$25,000 per acre” to purchase land that she owns, provided she would not speak out against rescinding the amendment.
Kevin Farmer of Blakely Drive drew applause from those gathered when he suggested preserving the Special Environs Overlay District.
“The overlay district is the most important part, so why rescind the whole amendment?” he asked, observing that to do so would be “going backwards from what we worked for.”
Upon closure of the public hearing, a long pause ensued when Mayor Ronnie Michael asked for a motion on the matter.
“My understanding is that if there is no motion, it dies,” observed Councilman Chris Bramlett.
“It does die. If council makes no motion, the overlay district will stay in place,” replied Michael.
“We knew this was coming,” observed Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Sue Hall, “but, I put a lot of trust in the folks who are on the planning and zoning board that we appoint. They take a lot of time and consideration in what they do, and I believe that we’ve either got to approve or not approve.”
“I don’t like doing this,” she continued, “but I’m going to move that we rescind it as was recommended by planning and zoning a few days ago.”
“As much as I don’t like it and don’t agree with it, I’m going to second her motion,” added Councilman Chris Whitley.
“At least that gets a motion up here for discussion,” stated Hall. “Whether we want it or not, at least it’s open for discussion.”
Upon vote, the motion to rescind passed, with Councilmen Aldridge, Bramlett and Hunt in opposition.
Michael urged citizens to express their views on the matter to staff and consultants at a Nov. 19 public meeting on the city’s land use plan.
In other business, Albemarle City Council:
• Delayed a public hearing and action on annexation of a 113-acre tract on Poplins Grove Church Road to the Jan. 6, 2025 meeting.
• Approved a contract with Musco Lighting to replace the athletic field lighting at Don Montgomery and Rock Creek Parks.
• Entered a closed session to discuss Economic Development and Real Estate.
The next meeting of Albemarle City Council will take place on Dec. 2 at Albemarle City Hall.

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.