Taylorsville Town Council Opposes Charlotte Interbasin Transfer
The Taylorsville Town Council convened for their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 6, deliberating several important issues, among which was their decisive stance against the Charlotte Interbasin Transfer Request. This request from Charlotte Water aims to increase the water transfer rate from the Catawba River Basin to the Rocky River Basin, doubling the amount from 33 million gallons per day (MGD) to 63 MGD.
Concerns Over Local Water Supply
In connection with this matter, the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) informed the council that a coalition including Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and McDowell counties is forming to oppose the transfer. Council Member Kim Brown highlighted that McDowell County is also against the request despite not being part of the WPCOG. To support their opposition, the council voted unanimously to allocate $5,207.33 for engineering studies and attorney fees related to the case.
Traffic Management Discussions
A discussion regarding traffic management led to a proposal to place a four-way stop sign at the intersection of 1st Ave. SW and 2nd St. SW. Local resident Edd Elliott expressed his opposition, arguing that adding a stop sign may indeed worsen traffic conditions. The town’s traffic engineer concurred, advising that adding the stop sign may not enhance traffic flow. Following this discussion, the council voted against the installation of the stop sign.
Public Safety and Infrastructure Updates
In a related matter, the council addressed the state of playground equipment at Matheson Park. The aging play structures, first installed in 1999, have become unsafe due to rust and wear. Acting Town Manager Aaron Wike proposed scrapping the equipment for safety reasons, leaving the park temporarily without toddler play options. The council voted unanimously to move forward with this plan, promising to prioritize replacement playground equipment in the future.
Rezoning and Ordinance Amendments
A public hearing was conducted for a rezoning request at 340 E Main Ave., submitted by James Dupuis for a proposed motor vehicle sales location. This request was aligned with the Alexander County Comprehensive Plan and was unanimously approved by the council. Additionally, amendments to the Taylorsville Code of Ordinances were discussed to correct text errors, confirming that water and sewer payments are due on the 20th rather than the 15th. These changes were also approved.
Community Engagement and Future Planning
The Taylorsville Town Council also highlighted community engagement efforts, announcing participation in the statewide LittersweepNC campaign for roadside cleanup scheduled for September 14-28. Mayor George Holleman encouraged residents to take part in cleaning up the streets during this designated time.
Lastly, discussions about road improvements along Main Avenue (Highway 90 West) brought forth the need for a traffic study to assess the feasibility of a Road Diet to change traffic patterns. The council approved the funding for this study to explore possible improvements to downtown traffic flow in the future.
The council adjourned after these key discussions, with the next scheduled meeting set for Tuesday, September 3, at 5:30 p.m.
