Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Laurinburg public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
31 issues
Disposal of vacant city-owned parcels
Multiple residents complained the city isn't maintaining lots it owns — overgrown lots with trees falling on neighbors' homes, and a refusal to sell to a willing buyer. Council acknowledged many properties come from tax foreclosures.
Speed bumps request on Midland Way
Midland Way residents petitioned for speed bumps, saying cut-through drivers hit 55+ mph on a street full of children and pedestrians. Staff were advised to call 911 on speeders, which residents called a waste of resources.
Zoning appeals consolidated under City Council
The rarely-used Board of Adjustment is gone; the council itself now hears variances and zoning appeals, wearing a second quasi-judicial hat. An ETJ member appointed by county commissioners will sit with them.
Downtown revitalization and Brownfields plan
Downtown businesses asked for longer social district hours, and the council extended them an hour on weekends and to 10 p.m. on weekdays.
Peden Street duplex rezoning
Two residential lots on Peden Street can now host duplexes after the rezone to Office/Institutional. A neighbor objected at the planning board stage, noting a duplex already sits next door (grandfathered).
Bridge Creek demolition
The old Bridge Creek structure will be torn down by Lucas Construction for $93,500, covered entirely by state ARPA funds.
Potential electric rate impacts from NCEMPA wholesale rate change
Wholesale electricity costs jumped this year, and the city is moving $300,000 in unused fiber money to cover the power bill so the audit doesn't flag another overage.
Recycling and solid waste finances
The city charges $35 a month for solid waste but services actually cost about $41 per household, with recycling running a big deficit — only $3,000 in rebates last year. The city's recycling buyer is closing, and council agreed to hire a consultant to study options including rate increases or contracting out.
Downtown Social District hours
Downtown businesses asked for longer social district hours, and the council extended them an hour on weekends and to 10 p.m. on weekdays.
Water and sewer capital projects
The city is chasing state money for a ~$9 million sewer rehab of its historic core, where most sewer lines are over 40 years old, plus $9.9 million in water treatment plant work. Contracts were also awarded for the College Park sewer lining and North Main pump station.
55-unit multifamily housing behind Johnson School
SCAP wanted a special use permit for a four-phase, 55-unit development (10 affordable, 45 market-rate) on 11.4 acres behind the old I. Ellijah Johnson School. Neighbors packed the hearing to testify about flooding, crime, traffic and property values, and the council unanimously denied the permit.
Tree removal compensation claim (U.S. 401/Montclair)
Cynthia Johnson says the city cut down a 50-foot stretch of her tree buffer for a water project without the state-required 15-day written notice, exposing her home to highway noise. She's demanding compensation under constitutional takings law.
City vs. County water system friction
The city manager set the record straight after last week's county commissioners meeting: the county owns and runs its own water system and sets its own rates; the city just sells, bills, and repairs under an interlocal agreement. He also disputed claims that last-minute information caused the county to pull the joint fueling facility from its budget.
Three sidewalk projects
Long-awaited sidewalks along Atkinson Street, West Boulevard, and Main Street may finally happen, with the feds paying 80 percent. But the plans could require cutting beloved oak trees on Atkinson and West Boulevard, and council members are urging residents to review the plans.
Purchasing policy and minority participation requirements
The state repealed Historically Underutilized Business requirements in its July budget, so the city had to scrub them from its purchasing policy to stay compliant. Officials stressed that minority- and women-owned businesses remain eligible to bid — only the outreach mandate is gone.
Special Use Permit request on Dundee Drive
Council scheduled an August 11 public hearing to rezone a Dundee Drive parcel from Residential-6 to Office/Institutional — a step that would allow office or institutional uses next to a residential neighborhood.
2026 Sky High Aerospace Expo
The second annual airshow lands the weekend of October 17, with organizers hoping to double last year's 4,000 attendance, adding a night show, a bigger STEM day for students, and free public events Friday night and Sunday morning.
McGirt's Bridge Road multifamily special use permit
The council set a September 22 public hearing for a multifamily housing development on McGirt's Bridge Road. The city attorney warned this will be a quasi-judicial hearing where the council acts as judges, and urged proponents and opponents to be well-versed in the UDO and consider legal counsel.
After-Hours Utility Reporting Line Complaint
A resident told the council she couldn't reach the city's after-hours utility number during a power outage and found the photo requirement confusing. Staff explained the pictures help crews respond faster and promised to look into her complaint.
City Manager's Salary
Council extended City Manager Charles Nichols' contract five years beyond its 2028 expiration with the same 3% cost-of-living adjustment employees received — a vote of confidence in the city's top administrator after a turbulent budget year.
Community Garden Special Use Permit
Neighbors on West Allen Lane oppose a 6-acre church community garden abutting their backyards, citing privacy and property values. Both sides will try to hash out a compromise before the July hearing, and appraiser evidence may be needed.
FY 2026-2027 City Budget
The $47.3 million proposed budget keeps a 40-cent tax rate, funds a 3% employee raise, and relies on a 10% water/sewer rate increase. Raleigh legislation could force the city back to old property values or cap future increases via a November referendum, so the budget vote was pushed to June 29.
Police department staffing and budget cuts
The worst-case budget scenario would leave only five funded vacant police positions instead of nine, and cut three vehicle replacements. Council debated whether to trade these cuts for a lower tax rate.
Downtown municipal service district rate
Council discussed keeping the 21-cent downtown special tax, which with new values could generate roughly $37,000 matched by the city — about $70,000+ for downtown improvements.
Southeastern Regional Airport Authority Sponsorship
Three industrial prospects totaling about 226 acres hinge on the city releasing airport land and fixing the FAA sponsorship question. The authority pays all local grant matches, yet the city carries liability as co-owner.
Proposed career training center for Scotland County
Dr. Charles Jones asked the council to partner on launching the county's first career training center, offering six-month programs to skill up graduates, the unemployed, and underemployed workers for in-demand craft trades.
Hillside Cemetery Improvements
Ordinance O-2026-14 would fund a road at Hillside Cemetery and a cemetery equipment shed, with completion expected next fiscal year.
Bridge Creek & College Park Sewer Rehabilitation
The council moved $250,000 into the water/sewer capital fund to keep the gravity sewer replacement project on South Main Street moving.
FY 2026-27 Budget Input and Retreat
A public hearing is set for June 16, 2026, at 6 p.m. so residents can weigh in on next year's city budget before adoption.
127 Main Street restoration project
The city's old bank building downtown is getting a $669,979 makeover using $1.1 million in grant money. Work must finish by late November so the city can be reimbursed, and the brewing company leasing it takes ownership next year.
Special use permit hearing on Parcel No. 01004202025
A special use permit request for land near Deluca, R. Graham, and West Allen Streets gets a public hearing on June 16 — neighbors will have a chance to comment.