Council also taking steps toward purchasing Keystone Powdered Metal Company facility

BY DEBBIE PAGE

The Troutman Town Council began discussions of imposing a 24-month residential building moratorium during its agenda briefing on Monday due to sewer capacity issues.

The council voted unanimously, after a lengthy meeting in closed session, to authorize Town Attorney Jason Ralston, using the infrastructure analysis of Town Engineer Benjy Thomas, to draft a moratorium proposal for consideration by council members.

After the proposal is completed, Town Clerk Kim Davis will advertise a special meeting later on September 24 to discuss and possibly vote on the measure.

Council member Nick Jaroszynski said the town’s lack of sewer capacity is a “pressing problem.” He favored banning all residential development with no “cherry-picking” to allow a house here or there.

Council member Paul Henkel suggested that the council update the public periodically as to the progress toward the goals of remediating the sewer capacity issues, as required in a building moratorium, for transparency.

Ralston noted that the moratorium could be extended or ended early as circumstances dictate.

Specific details of the moratorium are expected to be available in the next week after Ralston and Thomas finish the document.

KEYSTONE ACQUISITION PROCESS UNDERWAY

On Thursday night, the council will consider a resolution to pursue a financing agreement with the Local Government Commission (LGC) for the acquisition of the Keystone Powdered Metal Company facility at 338 North Avenue.

In an interview after Monday’s meeting, Mayor Teross Young said the town has signed a purchase agreement and is currently in the due diligence process. The building and its grounds cover approximately 50 acres adjacent to ESC Park, according to Young.

The town has been researching the cost for a new Town Hall over the past few years, initially thinking the recently acquired Liat building would be a cost-effective option for a much-needed larger facility for town departments.

“We have been busting at the seams for a number of years as we added staff as the town grows,” Young said.

The town added the Planning House, Parks and Recreation house, and the Passport Office to keep staff in office space over the past few years, while the Police Department operates in cramped quarters at Town Hall.

The mayor said Town Manager Ron Wyatt, who is currently on medical leave, was approached earlier this year about the town purchasing the Keystone Powdered Metal facility. The acquisition would include additional land as well as the park property, which is currently leased by the town at a low cost.

The proximity to the park as well as the size of the facility made it attractive, so town officials have been exploring the opportunity, Young said. Council decided selling the Liat property and focusing the town’s facility efforts on the Keystone property was the best strategy at this time.

Young noted the Keystone property opens up opportunities for enlarging the park and adding more ballfields. The now separated departments could also be moved into the one facility, including possibly Public Works, thus consolidating the town functions into one building.

The Troutman Police Department would then utilize the entire Town Hall building to solve its space issues.

The sale is not yet final, but the town is looking at funding options, including loans and grants. The town has already saved $4,015,070, through the 2025-2026 budget, toward a new Town Hall, and this money could be used toward the Keystone purchase and renovation.

“Right now, we feel that’s is the best thing for the town, and when we look at the cost, it costs much less than building a new Town Hall from the ground up, even with the retrofitting,” Young added.

The LGC funding proposal will include the facility cost as well as the cost of upkeep and remodeling.

Young said the project renovation would be completed in phases and help the town grow responsibly to provide its staff with adequate office space in the future.

EVENT SIGNAGE FOR NONPROFITS

Interim Town Manager Justin Mundy and Town Planner Andrew Ventresca discussed a possible amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance to allow nonprofits to display banners and signage for events for 30 days instead of the current 10 days.

Nonprofits have expressed concerns to council members about the short time to inform the community about their events through this publicity method.

Council members were receptive, but Parks and Recreation Director Emily Watson noted that in busy months like September and October, the number of events happening might not allow for a 30-day display on town banner posts around town.

Jaroszynski suggested that placement be first-come, first-served, as available and allowed at only two of the four locations to leave spaces for other nonprofits and town-sponsored events.

Watson noted that the town also shares nonprofits’ events on town social media and the electronic sign as well to help them get the word out.

Ventresca will work on an amendment to present to the planning board for consideration before going to the council later in the fall. The council proposed a 4-foot-by-8-foot banner at two of the town locations and a 3-foot-by-5-foot banner on the event’s premises with the property owner’s permission as part of the suggested guidelines.

SIDEWALK ON AUTUMN LEAF

Residents have contacted members requesting that the council consider adding sidewalks to the north side of busy Autumn Leaf Road from Perth Road down to new residential developments’ sidewalks.

Mayor Young suggested that the item be added to the annual retreat next spring for discussion and to look for grants and loans to consider for any such future project.

Council member Felina Harris wanted Talley Road residents to know that their ongoing sidewalk project from Main Street to West Avenue is very important to the council. She regretted that the strings of the project’s federal grants, awarded in 2018, and NCDOT have resulted in slow progress.

In an interview, Ventresca said the Talley Road project is in the utility relocation phase. The town is also waiting on the assessment of how much property is needed for the sidewalks so that acquiring right of way from property owners can begin. Utility companies have been slow to complete this relocation, added Ventresca.

Engineering is complete on the project, and the town will be following the state process to solicit bids to construct the sidewalk project after all this required preliminary work is completed.

BOARD APPLICANTS

Jane Babela, candidate for the Planning and Zoning Board, and Antonio Robinson, candidate for the Board of Adjustment, were interviewed by the council on Monday.

Babela is a long-time resident in her 52nd year of nursing. Though she has no experience on government boards, Babela looks forward to giving back to Troutman “because it has given so much to me.”

Robinson has lived in North Carolina for eight years, moving from Mooresville to Troutman in 2019. He and his family love the Troutman community and have made great friends here. He said his MBA, background in leadership, and military service will be assets in his service to the town.

UPCOMING THURSDAY NIGHT

The council will consider the following items on Thursday night:

♦ Approval of Town of Troutman Schedule of Fees amendments, with significant increases in water and sewer availability fees for new residential and commercial construction.

♦ Consider Approval of Engineering Contracts for New Water Projects

1. Water Capacity Improvements – Phase 1
2. Water Capacity Improvements – Phase 2 (reduced)
3. Water System Rehabilitation – Phase 1
4. Murdock Road Water Extension

♦ Rezoning 24.906 acres at the Iredell County Fairgrounds from heavy industrial to light industrial.

♦ Rezoning 0.99 acres located at 334 South Main Street from suburban residential to local commercial.

♦ Approval of the Shinn Farms regional pump station reimbursement agreement.

♦ Appointment of Antonio Robinson to the Board of Adjustment as an inside alternate, Jane Babela to the Planning and Zoning Board as an inside voting member, and reappointment of Sally Williams to the Design Review Board as an inside voting member.

♦ Setting an October 9 hearing date to consider annexation of 20.675 acres located at Hwy. 21 South of Flower House Loop.

♦ Approval of the facade for the Norman Creek neighborhood amenity.

Recognitions and Presentations

♦ Recognition of Alexa Drumm as the Town of Troutman Employee of the Month for August.

♦ Recognition of the Troutman Police Department for its Risk Management Review by the North Carolina League of Municipalities.

♦ Presentation of Iredell County Library’s FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan by Juli Moore, director of the Iredell County Library.

♦ Presentation of a proclamation recognizing September as Library Card Sign-Up Month.