City Council waits on land around airport, but purchases, annexes other properties

ASHEBORO — The annexation of more than 260 acres around Asheboro Regional Airport will wait until the city council’s September meeting. 

Meanwhile, the council moved to acquire other land that was up for purchase or annexation at their Aug. 6 meeting. 

Annexations and purchases 

City Engineer Michael Leonard told the council that staff wanted to wait to annex 16 parcels around the airport until Sept. 10. That way, it will coincide with zoning. The vote will impact 264 acres along NC Highway 49 South, Tot Hill Farm Road and Doul Mountain Road. 

The council approved two other requests.

■ Robert and Juanita Walden saw their 9,682-square-foot property on Sterling Street brought into the city. 

■ Then the council approved Shri Asheboro, LLC’s request to annex 3.4 total acres north of East Salisbury Street and US 64 East. City Manager Donald Duncan said Shri wants to build a new hotel there. 

■ In addition, the city will purchase about 30 acres for watershed protection around the northern section of the Uwharrie River. 

Roadway restrictions 

There were several:

■ North Cox Street will not allow on-street public parking between the library and the courthouse. 

Council member Phillip Cheek said that step will improve security, as it keeps people from parking near where deputies escort inmates. The council kept a few parking spaces near the side entrance to be reserved for law enforcement and court employees. 

■ The council also added parking restrictions on North Church Street from Foust Street to its dead end. The restrictions apply to the east side and turnaround. 

■ At the request of residents, the council will try to keep heavy vehicles off Westmont Street. Neighbors said 18-wheelers and other heavy trucks use it as a shortcut, causing safety issues and road deterioration.

The council passed a resolution asking the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to designate Westmont Street as a Light-Traffic Road. It would prohibit vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) unless they are government and emergency vehicles or making a delivery or service call. 

Duncan said city staff has already talked to NCDOT, but it may take a few months for Google Maps, Waze and other GPS apps to update the change. 

■ Asheboro will help bring Springdale Lane up to standard. Assistant City Manager Trevor Nuttall said a housing development can’t proceed until it is complete. The council approved an agreement to help pay up to $41,125 for upgrades. The developer will pay $20,375 to finish the road.

Future utility work 

City council voted to accept $1.2 million from Randolph County for the Seagrove-Ulah Metropolitan Water District. This year, Asheboro agreed to take charge of most renovations to the infrastructure. 

Duncan said they want to get Seagrove-Ulah’s wastewater treatment plant, which operates out of the old Lucks packaging plant, up to standard to become a licensed system. Utility work needed: Add more safety and monitoring equipment, remove solid waste and repair the spray fields. 

The county is providing leftover federal ARPA Funds for the task. 

“This does not increase capacity. This just gets the system back to zero,” Duncan said. 

Water Resources Director Michael Rhoney presented a contract for an asset management program to help streamline water and wastewater projects. It is sold by OpenGov and distributed by Vertosoft. The council agreed to execute the contract, which will cost $526,740.28 over five years. 

Rhoney said the program will bring together all the data and asset inventory managed by different staff, helping them pull up information more easily and prioritize project needs. 

■ The city council honored Jeffrey T. Fox, who retired as fleet maintenance superintendent. Mayor Joseph Trogdon, Jr. and Public Works Director David Hutchins presented him a plaque for nearly 30 years of service.