Town Council Workshop - Jul 13 2026

Town Council Workshop Recap

The Town of Weaverville Town Council held a workshop meeting on July 13, 2026, to review fiscal planning, discuss infrastructure development, and address local traffic concerns. The session focused on adopting the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, evaluating the Northridge Farms development project, and addressing parking and safety issues in Merchants Alley. The meeting concluded with a closed session to consult with legal counsel regarding a claim and confidential personnel matters.

The Council voted unanimously (5-0) to adopt the Amended Budget Ordinance for the general fund and special revenue fund for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. This decision was driven by discrepancies in state legislation, specifically Senate Bills 889 and 447, which prevented the town from using certain exemption rates. To maintain funding levels consistent with previous budgets, the Council set the property tax rate at 45.5 cents per $100 in value, up from the previous 38 cents. This adjustment is projected to generate approximately $5,941,733 in ad valorem tax revenue, balancing the general and fire fund budgets.

Significant discussion centered on the Northridge Farms development, specifically regarding the ownership of internal roads and greenway connectivity. The developer, Four Stars Greenville, requested that the town take over ownership of Northridge Commons Parkway and Northcrest Road, previously kept private. Council members expressed support for making the roads public to ensure proper documentation and maintenance, with one member noting this would improve greenway connectivity. However, the Council emphasized that the town should not be immediately burdened with the costs of constructing a roundabout or the greenway itself. Concerns were also raised about the proximity of the proposed greenway to the police firing range, with officers stressing that officer safety remains a priority.

Regarding Merchants Alley, the Council addressed complaints from business owners about blocked access, delivery obstructions, and safety hazards. The Police Department noted that while they are obligated to enforce no-parking ordinances, they have not issued citations due to unclear infrastructure. Business owners provided varied input: some suggested making the alley one-way to improve safety, while others argued that large delivery trucks require two-way flow to back in. The Council decided against making an immediate decision, directing staff to develop a site plan that includes restriping and potential one-way configurations. Staff will engage with business owners to determine feasible loading zones and delivery logistics before any ordinance changes are made.

The Council directed staff to review the developer’s proposal for Northridge Farms and return with feasible options for a multi-modal path connecting the development. The developer agreed to conduct a study on alternative materials for the greenway path and share existing traffic studies if the Council commits to taking over the roads. For Merchants Alley, Public Works and Police staff are tasked with creating a site plan and gathering community feedback on loading zones, with the Council scheduled to review these findings at a future workshop. No other follow-up actions were explicitly agreed upon during this session.