Newly formed group could lead to moratorium on new developments in Mooresville
The Mooresville Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to create a working group that could temporarily prohibit new housing developments due to ongoing traffic concerns.
Commissioners must pass an ordinance to declare the moratorium and hold a public hearing before it goes into effect, according to state law. Certain projects will be exempt from the moratorium, such as those that have already been approved by the board.
The move comes after commissioners approved a massive waterfront development that will include 353 multifamily units, 136 townhomes, 90 duplexes, a Lake Norman waterfront restaurant and a public multi-use shoreline greenway along Transco Road in southern Iredell County, The Charlotte Observer reported. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in 2025.
According to the resolution to adopt the group, “citizens have expressed concerns over increased growth and development, and such growth and development has compounded existing transportation infrastructure problems and contributed to worsening traffic throughout Mooresville.”
Commissioner Lisa Qualls, who will chair the group, said she has listened to feedback from residents and will take it into consideration when deciding next steps for the town.
“We hear you loud and clear,” Qualls said. “We feel it, too. It’s not just road infrastructure. We will look at all of the infrastructure of our town. That includes schools, water, sewer and public safety. We want to be a better Mooresville.”
Changes to the land use plan
The town plans to hire a professional consultant to update the OneMooresville Comprehensive Plan within four months, according to the resolution.
The OneMooresville Comprehensive Plan, a document that consolidated the town’s former Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Comprehensive Transportation Plan, was adopted in 2019 and included projected completion dates for upcoming NCDOT projects that would mitigate traffic.
A number of those projects, including the widening of N.C. 150, which is scheduled to begin in 2025, have been delayed, according to the resolution.
Around 50% of major roadways operate over capacity, Mooresville Town Manager Randy Hemann said.
Though the town has invested a combined $35 million in state-owned and locally-owned roads, more funds are needed to alleviate traffic congestion, the resolution says. Commissioners plan to “pursue all options for increased funding,” which could include federal funds, Town of Mooresville general funds and funds from a transportation bond.
A new way to tackle traffic
In addition to the potential ban on new developments, the board of commissioners has also awarded a design contract to construct a traffic management center and hire a signal timing engineer, which will allow the town to operate and maintain NCDOT traffic signals in the town to mitigate traffic.
However, due to restrictions from NCDOT, the center is not expected to open until 2029 after the N.C. 150 widening project is complete, Hemann said.
The resolution will require any rezoning and new development applications to be reviewed by the board prior to public hearings. It also sets a limit of two public hearings per meeting, to ensure commissioners have enough time to look over applications.
This story was originally published April 11, 2023 at 9:48 AM.
