Lenoir council to discuss flood insurance changes, cell tower

Lenoir town council will consider making changes to its flood damage prevention plan which could impact residents ability to purchase flood insurance at its meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 28.

Also, council will considering granting Harmoni Towers permission to build a cell tower at 208 Polychem Ct. adjacent to Industrial Ct. at the intersection of Morganton Blvd.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. at 905 West Ave. NW, Lenoir.

Public Hearings

A. Ordinance amendments: Flood Damage Prevention; Second Reading; The Emergency Management Division of the NC Department of Public Safety re-issued the Non-Coastal model flood damage prevention ordinance in March 2026 with more details, more compliance with FEMA/National Flood Insurance Program, and stronger enforcement mechanisms. Staff recommends the consideration of the ordinance amendments relating to Chapter 9 (Flood Damage Prevention) of the Lenoir Code of Ordinances, as submitted.

B. Special Use Permit SUP 1-26: 208 Polychem Court; A hearing will be held to consider a request to construct a 145-foot monopole wireless communication tower and associated ground equipment on a 2500 square foot leased easement area of the subject property with the following (8) conditions:

1. Approval of this special use permit request is only valid for the development of the proposed communications tower as shown on the submitted plans. Future modifications to allow for the co-location of additional service providers are allowed, provided such modifications do not increase the height of the tower, or change the design of the tower to anything other than a monopole design.

2. The applicant must maintain the minimum liability coverage required by Sec. 910.2 in full force and effect until such time as all above-ground portions of the facility have been removed and all other conditions of the Maintenance & Removal Agreement have been satisfied.

3. All above-ground portions of the communication tower must be removed within 90 days of the cessation of operations, or the facility may be removed by the City as provided in the applicant’s Maintenance/Removal Agreement by the City. The costs of removal will be recovered from the applicant’s bond or other security.

4. The applicant shall continue the $10,000 bond or other security until such time as the facility has been removed and all other requirements of its Maintenance/Removal Agreement have been satisfied.

5. No advertising logo is permitted on the tower.

6. The facility must remain an unmanned facility, with occasional on-site checks for operational purposes by staff. City of Lenoir, NC • cityoflenoir.com • 905 West Ave. NW, Lenoir, NC 28645

7. Valid permits must be obtained for this project and all construction must meet the requirements of the City of Lenoir Code of Ordinances, the North Carolina State Building Code, the North Carolina State Fire Code, and any other federal, state, or local regulation that applies.

8. If a building permit has not been issued within 24 months of the adoption of the Special Use Permit, the approval shall be considered null and void.

III. Consent Agenda Items

A. Minutes: Approval of the City Council minutes of the meeting of Tuesday, June 16, 2026, as submitted.

B. Minutes: Approval of the Committee of the Whole minutes of the meeting of Tuesday, June 23, 2026, as submitted.

C. Lenoir Fire Department Foundation Stabilization Project Design-Build Vendor Selection: Following a thorough review and evaluation of each State of Qualifications (SOQ), staff recommends entering into contract negotiations with GeoSpecialties LLC to provide Design-Build services for the Lenoir Fire Department Foundation Stabilization Project. GeoSpecialties LLC qualification package demonstrated the firm’s experience with the design-build project delivery method, an experienced team with members offering specific, pertinent areas of expertise, a thorough understanding of the project scope, and a suitable approach to project management and adequate quality control programs necessary to perform the work in a responsible manner. GeoSpecialties is appropriately licensed and insured, has financial capability to undertake the project, and is in good legal standing, as submitted.

IV. V. VI. Requests and Petitions of Citizens

Reports and Boards and Commissions

Reports and Recommendations of the City Manager

A. Items of Information

1. August Calendar: The calendar for the month of August will be provided to City Council listing various committee meetings and events.

2. The 52nd Annual Harambee Festival will be held the week of August 8th through August 14th. Events will be held daily at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center.

B. Items for Decision

1. Wexford Village Guardhouse — Quitclaim Deed and Release of Easement from the City of Lenoir to Wexford Village Homeowners’ Association, Inc.

(a) releasing the City’s public street easement over the Guardhouse Parcel;

(b) quitclaiming any other right, title, or interest the City may hold in the parcel; and © reserving to the City and to the appropriate public and franchise utility providers perpetual easements for the installation, operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, electric, street lighting, telephone, cable, and other utilities serving Wexford Village, together with rights of ingress and egress for such purposes.

VIII. Reports and Recommendations of the Mayor

A. Board Appointment: Mayor Gibbons will recommend Emmanuel Byers to be

appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (2029 Unexpired). This

appointment was announced at the June 16 City Council meeting.

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