Town of Liberty

The meeting commenced with an invocation honoring the life and service of Mr. Padet, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The public session included commentary from a resident expressing strong opposition to proposed ordinances regarding accessory dwelling units and restrictions on multi-generational occupancy, citing personal examples of financial necessity and family support. The council then heard a presentation from representatives of the John R. McAdams Company regarding their civil engineering, landscape architecture, and land planning services. Key areas discussed included storm water management, flood plane analysis, and assistance with securing funding for municipal projects. A significant portion of the presentation detailed the requirements of the MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer) compliance program mandated by the EPA, covering public education, illicit discharge detection, construction/post-construction regulation, and pollution prevention measures. Specific project examples included flood mitigation in Greenville and FEMA funding applications in Asheville.

The meeting commenced with an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by moving into the public session. Discussion focused on approving minutes for previous sessions; the regular session minutes from December 8th were postponed as they were incomplete, while the work session minutes from January 6, 2025, were approved. New business involved the first reading of a resolution to update the business license ordinance, specifically adding Class 6 to the rate scale due to NICS correlations and incorporating fire safety regulations. A detailed discussion ensued regarding the necessary code updates, classification renaming (Appendix A/Exhibit A/Appendix B), and the implications for charging fees. Further discussion addressed an ordinance amendment related to Article 2, Section 242, concerning the appearance of citizens during public comments, specifically debating whether to set a fixed time limit, such as 30 minutes, or allow flexibility based on the agenda item.

The meeting was a joint work session with the Planning Commission to discuss several updates to the zoning ordinance. Key topics included the allowance of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), where specifics regarding size (up to 800 sq ft, two bedrooms max), appearance (must resemble a single-family home, not a shed or tiny home), and rental potential were discussed, alongside the definition of a 'bedroom' (must meet code, including a closet, separate bathroom, and utilities). The discussion also covered rules for sheds, confirming they cannot be used as permanent living quarters due to building code non-compliance regarding insulation and safety features. For commercial zoning, the Planning Commission proposed removing current restrictions concerning the percentage of retail or service industries and regulations on alcohol sales, advocating for a broader range of permitted uses including butcher shops, offices, and potentially tattoo parlors (contingent on adherence to state location regulations near schools/churches). Finally, existing residential units above commercial spaces were reviewed. The proposal suggests treating first and second-floor residential units equally, allowing rentals on both floors, provided they have separate entrances and parking. A stipulation for first-floor residential units is that the business owner must typically reside there, but a 12-month grace period would be provided if the business vacates.

The meeting commenced with a moment of prayer and the pledge of allegiance before moving into the public session. Key agenda items involved the approval of minutes from previous meetings held on October 13th (Regular Session), October 30th (Special Call Session), and November 10th (Regular Session). Significant discussion and actions centered on New Business, including the appointment of Will Hyatt to the Planning Board and William Tag Edwards to the Zoning Commissioner position. Additionally, the reappointment of Planning Commissioner Hester Lrod was approved after receiving commendation for her work. The council then appointed John Humphrey as Mayor Pro Tem. Further updates involved proposed revisions to Section 2-42 regarding the appearance of citizens during public comment sessions, focusing on residency requirements, speaker conduct, and time limits. Updates were also addressed for Section 2-41 concerning agenda item submissions, including the requirement for 48 hours advance notice to the Mayor. Finally, significant time was dedicated to reviewing proposed updates to Section 35-79 regarding amplified sound restrictions and defining excessive noise, including establishing time frames for noise-generating activities like lawn care and loud conversations.

The session involved discussions conducted in an executive session concerning contractual real estate and legal matters, specifically negotiations for proposed contractual arrangements and the proposed sale or purchase of property, as well as matters covered by attorney-client privilege. Upon exiting executive session, the Council unanimously passed a motion to support the mayor in negotiating and executing terms for a lease (up to one year, up to $2,000 per month) and a total contract purchase price up to $250,000, with the understanding that additional costs only include appraisal, inspection, and closing fees. The necessity for this action was driven by the need to move City Hall staff out of the current building due to accelerating leak issues, with the leased location being temporary until a Municipal Complex can be built in the future.