NEWS

​(All supporting documents for the May 14, 2024 board of commissioners meeting are available here under Available Archives)

If you are interested in watching the video of the meeting, find the date of the meeting and click on Video:

To watch a specific item, click on the item in the agenda box under the video.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Davidson Parks and Recreation Department will be at the Davidson Lands Conservancy Spring NatureFest on Saturday, May 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the Town Green soliciting the second round of public input for the 2024 master plan update.

The Town of Davidson, Davidson Lands Conservancy, and Davidson College invite the community to enjoy the Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 27 between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at 35 Lorimer Road, adjacent to Davidson Town Green.

The Town will be presented with an award from the US Green Building Council during a brief ceremony at 10:30 a.m.

Click here for additional details.

This weekend’s Concert @ the Circles will take place on Saturday, May 18, featuring Chris Taylor & The Rumor.

The entire block of Jetton Street will be closed from 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. on evenings when a concert is being held. The Town’s Concerts @ the Circles concert series take place on the first and third Saturdays of each month on Jetton Street. An acoustic artist will perform from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. with the headline artist playing from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

For the full schedule please visit the Town’s website,

It’s the final week of the Mayors’ Fitness Challenge!

The six-week challenge ends this Sunday, May 19. All are welcome to join the festivities from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Veterans Park in Huntersville for a group fitness activity and the crowning of the “Fittest Town.”

The Davidson Fire Department was awarded a $5,000 Risk Management Safety Grant from the North Carolina League of Municipalities. These funds helped to purchase personal protective equipment for our firefighters.

Government Finance Officers Association has awarded the Town’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. To receive this award, the Town of Davidson had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device. Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.

Mayor Knox read proclamations for Historic Preservation Month, Public Works Week, and National Police Week. A moment of silence was held in honor of the fallen law enforcement officers who were shot and killed during the tragic incident that took place on April 29 in Charlotte.

The Town of Davidson was recently awarded a LEED Silver certification by the US Green Building Council at a ceremony that was held on April 27, 2024.

A multi-year interdepartmental effort led the process that resulted in the town earning 55 points out of the possible 110 points available across nine credit categories. LEED for Cities rating system criteria was integrated in the recently adopted Climate Action Plan. Due to staff participation in the Leadership Program, the Town received this initial certification at no cost. Future recertification is on a five-year renewal cycle.

This is in keeping with the town board’s 2024-25 Strategic Plan goal of Sustainability and Natural Assets.  Click here to view the presentation to the board by Parks and Recreation Program Manager Charlene Minor.

BUSINESS ITEMS

FY2025 Proposed Budget and Capital Improvement Plan
Staff presented the Manager’s Recommended FY2025 budget for review by the board of commissioners. Click here to view the presentation.

A public hearing is scheduled for May 28, 2024, and final approval is scheduled for June 11, 2024. Additional documents related to the FY2025 budget are available on the town’s website.

Approval of Option for 251 South Street Historic Gymnasium Rehabilitation

In January 2024, the Town engaged the design-build team of Balfour-Beaty and Creech & Associates to rehabilitate the historic gymnasium located at 251 South Street. The rehabilitation will require the installation of new restrooms.

Five conceptual options were presented for the restrooms location. Click here to view the presentation. The board voted to approve Option 5 which includes building an addition on the rear of the building for restrooms only and removing the balcony. This option has no impact to courts or the front windows.

Urban Community Forestry Plan

Arborist Andrew Sileo presented the Urban Community Forestry Plan. The town board’s 2024-25 Strategic Plan includes a Sustainability & Natural Assets goal to “Preserve Davidson’s natural assets and develop, implement, and actively encourage innovative solutions to environmental, energy, and climate-based challenges.” One of the strategies under this goal is to “Implement the Urban Community Forestry Plan.”

The plan outlines 8 goals with corresponding implementation strategies to diversify and enhance Davidson’s tree canopy and is an important part of ensuring the tree canopy continues to expand, grow, and maintain healthy status. Click here to view the presentation.

Parkside Commons Affordable Housing Plan

On April 13, 2021 the board approved an Affordable Housing Plan (AHP) for the Hoke Townhomes Development project, now known as Parkside Commons. This agreement between Alliance Group, LLC, Davidson Housing Coalition (DHC) and the Town of Davidson resulted in (8) eight on-site rental units of affordable housing as part of the Hoke Development with DHC assuming the obligation of Alliance to provide affordable housing under the Town’s Affordable Housing Plan Ordinance (the “DPO”).

Assistant Town Manager Austin Nantz discussed with the board a proposed new agreement to the Parkside Commons Affordable Housing Plan. The new agreement between the Town and Alliance Group, still includes 8 affordable units. These units will now be for home ownership with the Town’s affordable deed restrictions assigned, giving priority to individuals at 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Click here to view the presentation. The board will consider approval of the Parkside Commons Affordable Housing Plan on the consent agenda at the May 28 meeting.

Jamie Justice
Town Manager
Town of Davidson