EDENTON – The Edenton Town Council on Tuesday will consider a change to the phasing of the Jackson Dairy subdivision and hold two public hearings, one on a request to rezone four lots so an automotive shop can expand and one on a proposal to loosen the rules on painting historic masonry.

Yawn; looks like a tame meeting, needs more cowbell — agenda packet is at the end of the story. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, 504 S. Broad St.

Be sure to click on the Yellow Brick Road headline for Sarah Bareilles’ version of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” as it relates to painting masonry in Edenton. But if you’re old school, click here for Elton John’s version. Which version is better? Leave a comment!

So goodbye yellow brick road
Where the dogs of society howl
You can’t plant me in your penthouse
I’m going back to my plough

Back to the howling old owl in the woods
Hunting the horny back toad
Oh, I’ve finally decided my future lies
Beyond the yellow brick road

Yellow Bricks? — Not in Edenton

There will be a public hearing on Case TA 26-01, a town-initiated amendment to Sections 2.2.7 and 2.4.3 of the Edenton Historic Design Standards, which cover masonry and paint. The standards now call it inappropriate to paint or coat brick, stone, and concrete that has never been painted. The amendment would allow the Edenton Preservation Commission to approve such work on a case-by-case basis through a Certificate of Appropriateness. Approved treatments could include traditional paint, limewash, mineral silicate coatings, breathable masonry coatings, and masonry stains.

The commission would weigh the building’s architectural significance, the condition of the masonry, how the treatment fits with surrounding historic properties, whether it can be reversed and maintained, and whether it would obscure or damage significant architectural features.

A staff report says the change “does not authorize the unrestricted painting of masonry.” Every request would still need a Certificate of Appropriateness and review at a public meeting. Staff lists benefits that include more options for owners, newer breathable coatings, and flexibility where masonry is deteriorated or has been repaired.

So could an owner paint a brick building bright yellow — Coldplay’s song comes to mind? The proposed language doesn’t mention color, though one of the sections being amended is titled “Paint and Color.” An owner could apply, and the commission would keep its discretion to approve or deny based on whether the treatment is compatible with the building and the district.

The report also raises a caution. The federal Secretary of the Interior’s Standards generally recommend keeping historically unpainted masonry as is and caution against painting sound historic brick, except to preserve deteriorated surfaces or where painted finishes already exist. Staff recommends approval if the council finds the amendment consistent with the town’s Historic Preservation Ordinance.

Rezoning near Johnston and N. Oakum streets

The first hearing is on Case CRZ 26-05, a conditional rezoning request from Dwayne Long of Chambers Ferry Road. It covers 1001, 1003, and 1005 Johnston St. and 1205 N. Oakum St., about 0.57 acres in all. The land would change from R-5 residential to IW, Industrial Warehouse.

According to the staff report, the site holds three undeveloped parcels and an existing automotive shop that the applicant wants to expand across all four lots. Industrial Warehouse zoning lies immediately to the east and to the south of portions of the site. Single-family homes in R-5 zoning border it to the north and west and along parts of the south.

Staff noted that the rezoning would extend an existing industrial zoning pattern rather than create an isolated district, but said compatibility with neighboring homes “remains an important consideration.” The town’s 2018 land use plan designates the parcels Medium/High Density Residential, while IW corresponds to its Industrial classification.

Staff recommends six conditions limiting the property’s use:

• Use limited to the existing auto repair business and its expansion on the four parcels, with development substantially conforming to an approved site plan.
• Outdoor storage of parts, tires, equipment, and vehicles awaiting repair screened from adjoining residential property.
• No junked or inoperable vehicles unrelated to repair work, and no salvage or dismantling yard.
• The applicant must show the four parcels can work as one site, with a recombination plat if needed.
• Written owner consent.
• Conditions run with the land.

Staff recommends approval subject to those conditions. The town mailed notices to nearby property owners on Sept. 22.

Other business

Under new business, Assistant Town Manager Dewayne Whealton will present a minor modification and amended final plat for Jackson Dairy, a 9.82-acre, R-5 subdivision at 515 E. Church St. with 31 approved lots plus residual property.

The plat sets two phases: Phase 1 would cover Lots 1-10 and the Cottage Homes, and Phase 2 would cover Lots 11-29. It abandons Cottage Homes Lot CH-4 and revises five other Cottage Homes lots. Portions of Phase 1 are already built. Because the council issued the original permit, it must approve the change. Staff calls the phasing a clarification rather than a new subdivision and recommends approval, pending Public Works confirmation that no infrastructure concerns remain.

The Finance Committee will update the council on the town’s Unit Assistance List designation from the Local Government Commission. Town Manager Corey Gooden told the committee the town was notified Sept. 2 that it has been designated for a second consecutive year, mainly because of unrestricted fund balance calculations and the timing of grant and receivable reimbursements. He said reimbursements received after the June 30 fiscal year-end have improved the town’s position and no contract requiring commission approval has been denied. He agreed to keep the council updated.

Ches Chesson, executive director of Main Street Edenton, will give a special presentation. The packet gives no details on its content.

During a recent meeting, council unanimously approved a resolution to apply for a Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization award, with an Oct. 13 deadline. The budget includes $1 million for housing rehabilitation, $3.5 million for public facilities, and $500,000 for administration.

The council will also take up two items from its Sept. 28 committee meeting. The Administration Committee is recommending that the town raise its employee mileage reimbursement from 70 cents to 76 cents per mile to match the IRS rate. No action was taken then, and Mayor W. Hackney High Jr. said the recommendation would come to a regular meeting.

September department reports show 2,056 police calls, up from 1,150 a year earlier, driven largely by miscellaneous calls. Some citations and warnings had not synced because of records software problems.

Agenda Packet