On the agenda: Hickory 20260721 - City Council Minutes - July 21, 2026.pdf — Flock camera (Jul 21)

A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hickory was held in the Council Chamber of the
Municipal Building on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., with the following members present:
Hank Guess
Tony Wood
Danny Seaver

Aldermen

Arnita M. Dula
Jill Patton

A quorum was present.
Also present were City Manager Warren Wood, Assistant City Manager Steve Miller, Assistant City
Manager Yaidee Fox, City Attorney Timothy Swanson, and Deputy City Clerk Crystal B. Mundy
I.

Mayor Guess called the meeting to order. All Council members were present except for Alderman
Freeman and Alderwoman Williams

II.

Invocation by Reverend Sandi Hood, Peace United Church of Christ Carolina Caring.

III.

Pledge of Allegiance

IV.

Special Presentations
A.

Proclamation Recognizing Hickory High School Girls State Championship Soccer Team.
Mayor Guess asked Hickory High School Soccer Team head coach Brian Gillings and
anyone else present with that group to the podium. He read and presented a Proclamation
Recognizing Hickory High School Girls State Championship Soccer Team. Photos were
taken.
Coach Brian Gillings recognized his coaching staff, Bruno, Epey, Edgar, and other
teammates that couldn’t come this evening due to being out of town or already at college.
He was grateful for their performance in the soccer program. Coach Gillings thanked the
parents for their support and the community that rallied around the girls by coming to the
game. They had a great send-off where everybody showed up, and they had a parade as
well.
Coach Gillings stated Hickory is an amazing place to teach and to raise a family.

B.

Recognition of Assistant Public Services Director Caroline Kone, as Professional
Engineers of North Carolina (PENC) Government Engineer of the Year.
Mayor Guess asked Assistant City Manager, Steve Miller to the podium. Mr. Miller thanked
City Council and the management staff for always promoting staff to be able to attend
conferences. He stated staff always brought back ideas to better serve the community in
their daily job duties. Staff make friends with peer groups in other cities, and that creates
a good dynamic for all cities to share how things are done. He mentioned that staff not
only were members of the organization but also held leadership roles in the group.
Mr. Miller asked Caroline Kone to the podium. He recognized her as Professional
Engineers of North Carolina (PENC) Government Engineer of the year for 2026.
Ms. Kone thanked Council and managers for the continued support to be a part of
organizations and attending conferences to learn and incorporate those ideas into the
community.

V.

Persons Requesting to Be Heard
A.

Loren Barrett, 1910 Waterbury Ct, Hickory advised she came to address a stark warning
about an existential financial, legal, and constitutional trap the city is walking into by
approving Flock cameras. She stated the automated license plate reader industry has
evolved into a mass dragnet. Competitors like Leonardo, a global military defense
contractor, were already deploying hardware upgrades like SignalTrace. She stated the
technology bolts into existing street cameras and passes from V2 tracking into a V3 data
integration of wireless signature sniffing. Devices such as smartphones and smartwatches
constantly broadcast unencrypted Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi signatures. It can’t be
seen, but V3 integration hardware captures the unique mid-air identifiers and fuses with
license plates, creating a permanent, searchable electronic fingerprint of who is inside of
cars. Technology does not care that they are elected officials. When you drive city-issued
or personal vehicles past the upgraded nodes, the system logs their plate and sniffs the
Bluetooth IDs. It tracks your spouse, children, private meetings, what time you arrive at
City Hall, and who you travel with. This is handing defense-grade tracking infrastructure
the keys to map the personal lives of police officers and all families. By establishing local
data pipelines and funding camera networks, the city is assuming staggering liability.
LAPD recently suspended its Flock camera use entirely over critical data sharing and
oversight concerns and other cities have canceled contracts after uncovering hidden
tracking capabilities, like localized heat-mapping. This is not a conspiracy; it is a
documented threat to free speech. She urged City Council to protect the budget, their
citizens, and their own families. She asked to freeze all surveillance camera funding,
contract renewals, and data center expansions. She thanked them for their time.

July 21, 2026

VI.

B.

James Darden, 1655 20th Ave Dr NE, Hickory addressed ALPR cameras, the notable
example being Flock Safety, a network of AI-powered cameras mass surveilling citizens,
an egregious violation of the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable search
and seizure. Most of them had no clue this was going on until they saw the cameras. The
Declaration of Independence clearly states that governments derive their powers from the
consent of the government. No one in Hickory consented to being spied on, profiled, and
tracked by a private company. Yet, every move was now permanently logged and easily
searchable. In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that the government needs a warrant for
prolonged location tracking. Flock's network of continuous data collection across an entire
city clearly violates that ruling. Flock has documented lying to elected officials, ignoring
cancellations, and sharing data without authorization. The cameras themselves were also
not secure. Researchers have documented numerous vulnerabilities, including backdoors
allowing full control of the device. Dozens of live feeds have been found sitting open on the
internet, completely no password required, streaming footage of children at parks to
anyone interested. Since Hickory has signed up, Flock has updated their terms and
conditions. Flock has removed the promise to not sell data, added a perpetual license,
meaning even if they were fired, they continue to keep information forever. They also gave
themselves exclusive control over how the city accesses data. They also shifted the cost
of the quote, willful misconduct and gross negligence fully onto the taxpayer. Over 50
municipalities across 20 states have cited unauthorized federal access, surveillance
exceeding agreements, and repeated misrepresentation of the product. He said that if
authorities need to track a suspect, that tool already exists. It's called a phone. Accessing
it requires a warrant, probable cause, and judicial oversight. Flock needs none of that and
it always records everyone in advance of suspicion. People chose to carry their phones.
Nobody chose to drive past a flock camera. Our founders feared a system where tools built
for order became instruments of control. He said it's never about who holds power today,
it's about what the system enables when the wrong person holds it tomorrow. A tool built
to catch car thieves can also track a pastor whose sermons make politicians
uncomfortable. He was not saying this was happening in Hickory today, he said that the
infrastructure in place now makes it possible. He asked that this Council do three things.
First, prevent new cameras immediately. Second, take serious time to research what they
do and not what they sell. Third, cancel these contracts that infringe upon their rights as
Americans. The question was not whether they want safe streets. The question was
whether they were willing to trade the architecture of freedom for the appearance of
security, and whether they trust a private company with the power to surveil their wives
and children. He was happy to provide a detailed source report of everything that he had
referenced here tonight. He thanked them for their time.

C.

Eric Bywaters, 360 1st Ave SW, Hickory stated he was the owner of Solid Skate Co. in
downtown. He was coming to express a need for a quality skate park in Hickory. Hickory
is the only town in Catawba County to have a skate park that offers this sport for
surrounding neighbors. He was around when the original skate park area was built with
wood. The ramps were hard to maintain and were now falling apart. In the early 2000s,
the skate park was booming. The city held contests for skateboarding. The park has
become less used, but it's still being used. Three weeks ago, he held a solid session at the
skate park. He had over 50 skateboarders show up with the support and concerns of the
skate park. He would like to talk to staff about repairs, or possibly a new skate park,
because skateboarding teaches so much to young children and even adults.
Skateboarding teaches you not to give up and no matter how many times you fall you can
always get back up and keep going. He has used that throughout his whole life. He has
failed and failed but keeps getting back up and keeps on trying. That is a very, very
important lesson for anybody growing up. He was working together to bring awareness to
skateboarding, rollerblading, bikes, anything that's kind of out of your typical sport to their
great city here. He asked for a little support and attention to the skate park because it's
vital to this city and their surrounding neighbors. He thanked them for their time.

D.

William Sturm, pastor of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church at 3702 16 th Street NE, Hickory
thanked Council for the great work and development in the St. Stephens area. He
expressed appreciation for the expansion that was taking place with the utilities and
expansion on Cloninger Mill Road, Kool Park Road, and 16th Street. He requested help
with the improvement of the driveway at the parking lot once the work was completed. He
understood there would be some expansion at the intersection of Kool Park Road,
Cloninger Mill, and 16th Street with taking part of the parking lot which belongs to the city.
He stated there was a right-of-way area that when claimed, and when the turning lanes
were placed, they would lose some parking. With some traffic that was taking place already
with parking of service vehicles and utility vehicles it was doing somewhat of a number on
their parking lot, which was just fine. He was thankful for the development. He asked when
the project was completed that maybe there was a little pocket of money to help with their
parking lot when it was all done. He thanked them for their time.

E.

Cam Shope, 221 15th St SE, Hickory reiterated what Eric Bywaters said about the skate
park. He was doing everything he could to bring awareness to skateboarding and asked
for help fixing the skatepark. He thanked them for their time.

Approval of Minutes
2

July 21, 2026

A.

Regular Meeting of June 16, 2026.
Alderman Seaver moved, seconded by Alderwoman Patton that the Regular Meeting
Minutes of June 16, 2026 be approved. The motion carried unanimously.

B.

Special Joint Meeting of June 30, 2026
Alderwoman Patton moved, seconded by Alderwoman Dula that the Special Joint Meeting
Minutes of June 30, 2026 be approved. The motion carried unanimously.

VII.

Reaffirmation and Ratification of Second Readings. Votes recorded on first reading will be
reaffirmed and ratified on second reading unless Council Members change their votes and so
indicate on second reading.
Alderwoman Patton moved, seconded by Alderman Seaver that the following be reaffirmed and
ratified on second reading. The motion carried unanimously.

VIII.

A.

Budget Revision Number 22 (First Reading Vote: Unanimous)

B.

Consideration of Rezoning Petition 26-04 for Property Located at 3440 Eller Drive, Newton,
Containing Approximately 5.56-Acres. (First Reading Vote: Unanimous)

C.

Consideration of Text Amendment 26-03 Amending the City of Hickory’s Flood Damage
Ordinance (First Reading Vote: Unanimous)

Consent Agenda: All items below will be enacted by vote of City Council. There will be no separate
discussion of these items unless a Council Member so requests. In which event, the item will be
removed from the Consent Agenda and considered under Item IX.
Alderwoman Patton moved, seconded by Alderwoman Dula approval of the Consent Agenda. The
motion carried unanimously.
A.

Accepted the 2025 Bulletproof Vest Program Grant.
Staff requests City Council’s acceptance of the 2025 Bulletproof Vest Program Grant to
help fund the purchase of bulletproof vests for police officers. The City of Hickory will
receive up to 50% reimbursement for each vest purchased.

B.

Accepted the installation of speed cushions along 5th St SE from 2nd Ave SE to 8th Ave SE
and along 3rd Ave Dr SE from 5th St SE to 8th Ave SE.
Staff request Council’s acceptance and approval to install speed cushions along 5 th St SE
from 2nd Ave SE to 8th Ave SE and along 3rd Ave Dr SE from 5th St SE to 8th Ave SE after
receiving a completed petition from property owners along 5 th St SE with regards to the
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. Speed cushions are a type of traffic calming
measure like traffic tables but allow emergency vehicles to travel more efficiently.

C.

Accepted Change Order #1 with Elite Infrastructure Group.
Staff requests City Council’s acceptance of Change Order #1 with Elite Infrastructure
Group for a contract deduction in the amount of $194,077.50 for the Hickory SW Water
Extension Project.

D.

Accepted the amendment to the Professional Engineering Services Agreement with
Freese & Nichols, Inc for the Springs Road Transmission Main.
Staff requests City Council’s acceptance of an amendment to the Professional Engineering
Services Agreement with Freese & Nichols, Inc., for the Springs Road Transmission Main
to include a water model calibration task, in the not to exceed amount of $100,000.00.

E.

Approved the Resolution Authorizing the City to apply for North Carolina Department of
Transportation Funds for intersection improvements at 4th Street and Main Avenue.
Staff requests City Council’s acceptance to apply for North Carolina Department of
Transportation Funds for intersection improvements at 4 th Street and Main Avenue in the
amount of $248,950 with a city match of $43,150.00.
RESOLUTION NO. 26-38
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF HICKORY TO APPLY FOR NORTH
CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONTINGENCY FUNDS OF
$248,950 AND PROVIDE CITY FUNDS OF $43,150 FOR 4TH STREET AND MAIN
AVENUE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS
3

July 21, 2026

WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) provides funding
to support road improvements and pedestrian safety; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hickory desires to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety at the
intersection of 4th Street and Main Avenue through roadway improvements; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hickory is seeking funding for the proposed intersection
improvements; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hickory estimates the total project will cost $292,100; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hickory is applying for $248,950 of NCDOT contingency funds; and
WHEREAS, the NCDOT requires city funds to cover the remaining project costs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hickory is committed to providing the necessary funds to ensure
the completion of the project.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Hickory that the City
of Hickory apply for the NCDOT contingency funds of $248,950 and commits to providing
$43,150 to cover the remaining project costs.
F.

Approved on First Reading Budget Revision Number 1.
ORDINANCE NO. 26-25
BUDGET REVISION NUMBER 1
BE IT ORDAINED by the Governing Board of the City of Hickory that, pursuant to N.C.
General Statutes 159.15 and 159.13.2, the following revision be made to the annual budget
ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and for the duration of the Project
Ordinance noted herein.
SECTION 1. To amend the General Fund within the FY 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance, the
expenditures shall be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Culture & Recreation
Public Safety
General Government
Other Financing Uses
TOTAL

INCREASE

DECREASE
157,851
13,428
15,000
17,150
203,429

17,150
17,150

To provide funding for the above, the General Fund revenues will be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Other Financing Sources
Sales and Services
Miscellaneous

INCREASE

DECREASE
163,224
18,055
5,000
186,279

TOTAL

SECTION 2. To amend the Water/Sewer Fund within the FY 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance,
the expenditures shall be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Environmental Protection
TOTAL

INCREASE

DECREASE
770,000
770,000

To provide funding for the above, the Water/Sewer Fund revenues will be amended as
follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Other Financing Sources

INCREASE

DECREASE
770,000
770,000

TOTAL

SECTION 3. To amend the Airport Fund within the FY 2026-2027 Budget Ordinance, the
expenditures shall be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Transportation
TOTAL

INCREASE

DECREASE
402,006
402,006

4

July 21, 2026

To provide funding for the above, the Airport Fund revenues will be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Miscellaneous

INCREASE
402,006
402,006

TOTAL

DECREASE

SECTION 4. To amend the Capital Reserve Fund within the FY 2026-2027 Budget
Ordinance, the expenditures shall be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Environmental Protection
Other Financing Uses
TOTAL

INCREASE

DECREASE
1,500,000

1,500,000
1,500,000

1,500,000

SECTION 5. To amend the Waterline to Springs Rd Water Tank (#83322) Capital Project
Ordinance, the expenditures shall be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
General Capital Projects
TOTAL

INCREASE

DECREASE
153,094
153,094

To provide funding for the above, the Waterline to Springs Rd Water Tank (#83322) Fund
revenues will be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Other Financing Sources
TOTAL

INCREASE
153,094
153,094

DECREASE

SECTION 6. To amend the Aviation Walk (#B1N001) Capital Project Ordinance, the
expenditures shall be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
General Capital Projects
TOTAL

INCREASE
143,300
143,300

DECREASE
143,300
143,300

SECTION 7. To amend the Airport EMAS Project (#650033) Capital Project Ordinance, the
expenditures shall be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
General Capital Projects
TOTAL

INCREASE
143,300
143,300

DECREASE

To provide funding for the above, the Airport EMAS Project (#650033) Fund revenues will
be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Other Financing Sources
TOTAL

INCREASE
143,300
143,300

DECREASE

SECTION 8. To amend the Hickory Metro Convention Center (#700012) Capital Project
Ordinance, the expenditures shall be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
General Capital Projects

INCREASE
TOTAL

DECREASE
275,000
275,000

To provide funding for the above, the Hickory Metro Convention Center (#700012) Fund
revenues will be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Miscellaneous
TOTAL

INCREASE

DECREASE
275,000
275,000

SECTION 9. To amend the Bulletproof Vest Partnership 2025 (#G5124) Grant Project
Ordinance, the expenditures shall be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Public Safety
TOTAL

INCREASE
34,300
34,300

5

DECREASE

July 21, 2026

To provide funding for the above, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership 2025 (#G5124) Grant
Project revenues will be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Other Financing Sources
Restricted Intergovernmental
TOTAL

INCREASE
17,150
17,150
34,300

DECREASE

SECTION 10. To amend the McLin and Lyle Creek Wastewater Outfall (#803305) Capital
Project Ordinance, the expenditures shall be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Water & Sewer Capital Projects
TOTAL

INCREASE
1,500,000
1,500,000

DECREASE

To provide funding for the above, the McLin and Lyle Creek Wastewater Outfall (#803305)
revenues will be amended as follows:
FUNCTIONAL AREA
Other Financing Sources
TOTAL

INCREASE
1,500,000
1,500,000

DECREASE

SECTION 11. Copies of the budget revision shall be furnished to the Clerk of the
Governing Board, and to the City Manager (Budget Officer) and the Finance Officer for
their direction.
IX.

Items Removed from Consent Agenda – None

X.

Informational Items

XI.

New Business
A.

Public Hearings
1.

Approved on First Reading Rezoning Petition 26-05 for Property Located at 929
9th Street Dr NE from Industrial (IND) to High Density Residential (R-4) –
Presentation by Planning Director, Brian Frazier.
Staff requests for Council’s consideration of Rezoning Petition 26-05. Legacy
Home Builders NC, LLC owns the property at 929 9th Street Dr NE, Hickory NC.
Vitality Gladish has submitted a petition to rezone the property from Industrial
(IND) to High Density Residential (R-4). The intention is to gain approval to
construct a duplex. The Hickory Regional Planning Commission held a hearing on
June 24, 2026, to consider the petition and acknowledged the petition’s
consistency with the Hickory by Choice 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Based upon
its findings, the Hickory Regional Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend
approval of the petition.
Notice of the public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general
circulation in the Hickory area on July 11th, 2026, and July 18th, 2026.
City Manager Warren Wood asked Planning Director Brian Frazier to the podium
to present Council with rezoning petition 26-05 for property located at 929 9th Street
Dr NE from Industrial (IND) to High Density Residential (R-4).
Planning Director Brian Frazier gave a PowerPoint presentation. He advised as
City Manager Warren Wood indicated, this was currently zoned industrial. It was a
vacant piece of land and 0.15 of an acre. The request was to be rezoned to R-4
high density residential. The plans were to demolish a couple of older houses on
an adjacent parcel and to square up the parcel and put a duplex on the site. He
referred to PowerPoint and displayed a map. He pointed out the property was
located at Highland Avenue and 9th Street Drive Northeast. He noted there was
additional housing going up in the area. He referred to the map and advised that
the future land use was all high-density residential in the general location. He
pointed out the property was located around Ron’s Auto Shop, Cutting
Technologies, the former Highland School apartments, and several Habitat
homes. He referred to PowerPoint and displayed an aerial photograph. He stated
the property was in a high-density residential area. The high-density areas were
located at the margins of commercial nodes such as Highland Avenue Northeast
and Main Avenue Northeast. This was somewhat in the interior. This was a great
example of infill property, which they try to promulgate at the Planning Department
and Hickory by Choice. This provides opportunities to reside in proximity to some
retail and larger non-residential establishments. The Planning Commission
reviewed the comprehensive plan and the current conditions on the ground for
6

July 21, 2026

petition 26-05 at a public hearing on June 24th. The owner spoke in favor; no one
spoke in opposition. The Planning Commission acknowledged the petition's
consistency with Hickory By Choice 2030. After consideration of its findings, the
Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the rezoning petition
to City Council. Staff concurred with the recommendation of the Planning
Commission and respectfully requested their consideration. He asked if there were
any questions.
Alderman Seaver asked to verify the lot size was 0.15 of an acre and not 15 acres?
Mr. Frazier verified the lot size was 0.15 of an acre.
Alderman Wood asked if on street parking would be allowed?
Mr. Frazier responded there would be no parking signs placed on the street.
Mayor Guess asked for any other questions or comments. He thanked Mr. Frazier.
He explained the rules for conducting the public hearing. He declared the public
hearing open. He asked if there was anyone present to speak in opposition to the
proposal. No one appeared. Mayor Guess asked if anyone in favor of the proposal
wished to speak. No one appeared. Mayor Guess declared the public hearing
closed. He asked for a motion or any other discussion.
Alderwoman Patton moved, seconded by Alderwoman Dula approval of Rezoning
Petition 26-05 for Property Located at 929 9th Street Dr NE The motion carried
unanimously.
ORDINANCE NO. 26-26
AN ORDINANCE OF THE HICKORY CITY COUNCIL AMENDING THE OFFICIAL
HICKORY ZONING ATLAS TO REZONE +/- .15 ACRES OF PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 929 9th STREET DR NE FROM IND INDUSTRIAL TO R-4
RESIDENTIAL.
WHEREAS, Article 2, Section 2.2 of the Hickory Land Development Code provides
for amendments to the Official Zoning Atlas; and
WHEREAS, the property owner has petitioned to rezone +/- .15 acres of property
located at 3440 Eller Drive, more particularly described on Exhibit A attached
hereto, to R-4 Residential; and
WHEREAS, the Hickory Regional Planning Commission considered the proposed
rezoning during a hearing on June 24, 2026, and forwarded a recommendation of
approval to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, Article 2 of the Hickory Land Development Code requires findings the
proposed rezoning is in response to changing conditions and is reasonably
necessary to promote public health, safety and general welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has found Petition 26-05 to be consistent with the
Hickory by Choice 2030 Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HICKORY,
NORTH CAROLINA, THAT THE REZONING OF PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT A IS APPROVED.
SECTION 1. FINDINGS
The property is in an area identified as High Density Residential. Such areas are
intended to accommodate varying types of residential uses with densities twelve
units per acre in established detached single-family areas, and twenty dwelling
units per acre in historically mixed-use areas. These areas are characterized as
being located on the periphery of high-density residential areas north of I-40 and
in the southeastern portion of the city.
The property is located just off of a major thoroughfare in Highland Ave NE and
Main Ave NE, adjacent to existing High-Density Residential districts.
Section 1.7 of the Hickory Land Development Code contains its Stated Purpose
and Intent. This section contains five (5) specific items which the Land
Development Code is intended to uphold. These are as follows:
•

Implement the Hickory by Choice 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
7

July 21, 2026

The Comprehensive Plan states the following about High Density Residential
areas: High density residential development in Hickory is located in or near
mixed-use areas or higher- intensity commercial districts. The area covered
by this land use extends approximately one half mile from the central point of
each outlying business district, allowing for convenient walking or bicycling
from home to shop. This will create higher density living in close proximity to
neighborhood-scale shopping and office employment centers. The
combination of smaller single-family lots, shorter building setbacks, shorter
blocks, and multi-family development would create a gross average density for
housing at approximately 12 to 20 units per acre. These areas may also
contain office uses along thoroughfares and adjacent to commercial areas to
act as a transition between commercial and residential land uses. Provided,
such office uses, and their corresponding zoning districts, are located
immediately adjacent to existing office uses and office zoning districts. This
should be done to avoid sawtooth land patterns along thoroughfares.
• Preserve and protect land, air, water and environmental resources and
property values.
The size of the subject property is not of a scale to support development that
would be expected to have noxious and/or detrimental characteristics on the
surrounding area. Permissible uses in High-Density Residential (R-4) districts
are mostly reserved for a multitude if residential uses, which are by nature less
intense than commercial uses and Industrial uses.
• Promote land use patterns that ensure efficiency in service provision as
well as wise use of fiscal resources and governmental expenditures.
The subject property has access to Highland Ave NE, which is a statemaintained roadway, as well as city-maintained roadways at 10th St NE and
9th St Dr NE. Public utilities are also available. The property owner will be
responsible for any necessary extensions needed for services, as well as any
required transportation improvements. The land-use pattern of the area, with
the inclusion of the subject property, represents an efficient use of public
services, and the wise use of public funding.
•

Regulate the type and intensity of development; and

The current land use pattern of the larger area is residential in nature. Public
resources to provide critical services are in place or will be provided by the
property owner / developer to serve any future development. These include
public utilities and transportation infrastructure.
•

Ensure protection from fire, flood and other dangers.

The subject property will be required to adhere to all state and local building,
fire, and flood zone related development regulations. Such regulations will
ensure proper protection is provided to ensure surrounding residents, and
property is adequately protected as prescribed by law.
Given these factors, Hickory City Council has found the Rezoning Petition 2605 to be consistent with the findings and recommendations of the
Comprehensive Plan. The petition has also been found to be a reasonable
request as changing conditions in the area, including small lots and larger
development are transitioning the area into a more urban denser area.
SECTION 2. All ordinances or provisions of the Hickory City Code which are
not in conformance with the provisions of the Amendment occurring herein are
repealed as of the effective date of this Ordinance.
SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall become effective upon adoption.
(Exhibit “A” is on file in the City Clerk’s Office and is hereby incorporated by
reference and made a part of the minutes)
B.

Departmental Reports
1.

Appointments to Boards and Commissions
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
(Terms Expiring 6-30; 3-Year Terms) (Appointed by City Council)
At-Large (Council Appoints)
8

VACANT

July 21, 2026

CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(Terms Expiring 6-30; 3-Year Terms) Appointed by City Council
Small Cities Project Area (Council Appoints)

VACANT

COMMUNITY APPEARANCE COMMISSION
(Terms Expiring 6-30; 3-Year Terms) Appointed by City Council
Ward 2 (Williams Appoints)
At-Large (Council Appoints)

VACANT
VACANT

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL
(Terms Expiring 6-30; 3-Year Terms) (Appointed by City Council)
Caucasian (Council Appoints)
Caucasian (Council Appoints)
Caucasian (Council Appoints)
Other Minority (Council Appoints)
Other Minority (Council Appoints)

VACANT
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT

Alderwoman Patton Nominated Danielle Walters
Representative on the Community Relations Council.

as

an

Other

Minority

HICKORY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
(Term Expiring 6-30; 3-Year Terms with Unlimited Appointments) (Appointed
by City Council)
Burke County Representative (Mayor Appoints with Recommendation from Burke
County)
VACANT
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD
(Terms Expiring 6-30; 3-Year Terms) (Appointed by City Council)
Ward 4 (Freeman Appoints)
Ward 5 (Dula Appoints)
At-Large (1) (Mayor Appoints)
At-Large (2) (Mayor Appoints)

VACANT
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT

PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
(Terms Expiring 6-30; 3-Year Terms) (Appointed by City Council)
Ward 3 (Seaver Appoints)
At-Large (Mayor Appoints)

VACANT
VACANT

Mayor Guess Nominated Bonita Ferretti as an At-Large Representative on the Public
Art Commission.
RECYCLING ADVISORY BOARD
(Terms Expiring 6-30; 3-Year Terms) (Appointed by City Council)
Ward 3 (Seaver Appoints)
Ward 4 (Freeman Appoints)
Ward 6 (Patton Appoints)
At-Large (Council Appoints)
At-Large (Council Appoints)

VACANT
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT

UNIVERSITY CITY COMMISSION
(Terms Expiring 6-30; 2-Year Terms) (Appointed by City Council)
At-Large Not Including ETJ (Council Appoints)

VACANT

YOUTH COUNCIL
(Terms Expiring 6-30; 1-Year Terms) (Appointed by City Council)
Homeschool
St. Stephens High School

VACANT
VACANT

XIV.

Presentation of Petitions and Requests

XII.

Matters Not on Agenda (requires majority vote of Council to consider)

XIII.

General Comments by Members of Council, City Manager or City Attorney of a Non-Business
Nature

XIV.

Closed Session Per NC General Statutes 143-318.11(a)(1)(6) to consult with the attorneys
regarding the following: (Action on these items, if any, will occur in Open Session)
Mayor Guess moved that Council go into closed session to consult with the attorneys to discuss
the items below, seconded by Alderwoman Patton. The motion carried unanimously.
1.
2.

Approval of Closed Session Minutes of May 19, 2026, and June 30, 2026 – NCGS §143318.11(a)(1)
Discussion of a Personnel Matter – NCGS §143-318.11(a)(6)
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July 21, 2026

Council convened to closed session at approximately 6:41 p.m.
Council reconvened to open session at approximately 6:54 p.m.
No action was taken upon return to open session.
XV.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.

_______________________________________
Mayor
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk

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