Mooresville approves floodplain code update, allows supported awnings in pedestrian plazas and advances annexation; second reading required for annexation

The Mooresville Board of Commissioners voted on several land‑use and code items at its Dec. 16 meeting, adopting a floodplain ordinance update required for continued eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), approving a narrow change to allow supported awnings within pedestrian plaza rights‑of‑way, and approving a first reading of a voluntary annexation and utility extension for part of the recently approved Mooresville Village project.

Floodplain ordinance update (TA‑2024‑08)
Sandy Howell, who presented the text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), said the changes align the town’s ordinance with North Carolina’s state model and with FEMA/NFIP requirements, and introduce updated forms and definitions such as revised elevation and floodproofing certificates. Howell noted there are currently about 16 flood insurance policies in town and approximately 60 structures shown inside the special flood hazard area on current maps. The board adopted the amendment; staff said the change preserves residents’ access to federally backed flood insurance and clarifies local permit procedures related to floodplain development.

Public‑right‑of‑way awnings (code amendment)
Planning staff described a limited code change to allow supported awnings, canopies or similar elements inside public rights‑of‑way where those rights‑of‑way have been converted to pedestrian plaza configurations (Moore Avenue was cited as an example). David Cole said the amendment is narrow and designed to cover pedestrian plaza scenarios only, not a general relaxation of encroachment rules on arterial streets. The ordinance was adopted; staff said the change enables businesses adjacent to plazas to add covered seating with structural posts in the right‑of‑way subject to encroachment agreements and safety conditions.

Voluntary annexation and utility extension (Mooresville Village parcel)
The board approved a voluntary annexation and utility extension request for the southern parcel of the Mooresville Village site (approximately 44 acres at 1814 Mecklenburg Highway). Cole described the property as contiguous to town limits and inside the town’s Tier 1 annexation area. Staff recommended approval because water and sewer extensions are feasible and there are no identified capacity constraints; the developer will construct the extensions to access town utilities. The board approved the annexation on its first reading; per the town’s procedural requirements annexation requires a second reading and vote at a subsequent meeting before finalization.

Procedurally, the board approved the floodplain and awnings ordinances by motion and voice vote. The annexation motion passed on first reading; town staff noted the second reading will be scheduled at the next meeting for final action.