La Grange: August 4, 2025 Town Council meeting recap
From The Town of La Grange Facebook page:
The La Grange Town Council met on August 4, 2025, taking important actions that reflect the Town’s commitment to revitalizing downtown, improving housing conditions, and enhancing neighborhoods.
The meeting began with three public hearings. The first was a rezoning request from Infinite Construction LLC for a 5.08-acre parcel on East Washington Street, seeking to change the zoning from Highway Commercial to Residential R-10. The Planning Board had recommended denial due to conflicts with the Town’s Land Use Plan, and the Council voted to table the request to allow additional time for review and discussion, ensuring any decision aligns with the Town’s long-term development vision.
The second hearing addressed a rezoning request from the Lenoir County Board of Education for a 47.6-acre tract on North Charles Street, the site of the new E.B. Frink Middle School. This change, from Light Industrial to Residential R-10, was necessary to ensure that the entire final footprint of the school property, following its recent recombination under the previously approved property transfer agreement between the Board of Education and the Town, now carries a consistent R-10 zoning designation. This update eliminates the prior split zoning issue and ensures the property fully complies with the Town’s zoning requirements for the new school’s construction.
The third hearing was the required public input session for the Town’s upcoming Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application. For consideration, the Town Manager presented a proposed project that would focus on revitalizing the neighborhood surrounding E.B. Frink Middle School through rehabilitation of eligible owner occupied homes and targeted infrastructure improvements to enhance safety, accessibility, and neighborhood appearance. The effort also sets the stage for future upgrades to the existing Frink campus and gymnasium, which is planned to become a recreation complex after the new middle school is constructed. While the project concept has been developed, the Town will not finalize the application until the required public input period has concluded, ensuring community feedback directly shapes the final proposal.
Following the public hearings, the first item of the regular meeting was the swearing-in of Laura Williford as La Grange’s new Town Clerk. In this vital administrative role, she will manage official records, attend Council meetings to record minutes, prepare reports, assist with audits, and ensure compliance with state laws and regulations.
In property matters, the Council declared the Town owned lot at 313 South Caswell Street as surplus and authorized the upset bid process for its sale. An initial $10,000 offer had been received, and the property will now be advertised for higher competitive bids in a transparent process.
For the condemned downtown commercial building located at 145/147 South Caswell Street, Town Manager Shawn Condon noted that progress had been made to bring the building into compliance, with many of the issues identified by the engineer already addressed. However, final confirmation from both the engineer and the building inspector was still pending. To protect public safety, Mr. Condon recommended and the Council formally approved a demolition order for the structure. The approval also grants the Town Manager authority to halt the demolition if the required documentation and approvals from the engineer and inspector are received before the demolition takes place.
The Council then turned its attention to another condemned downtown commercial building, 130 South Caswell Street. Town Manager Shawn Condon explained that the time allotted for the owner to make repairs had expired, and as a result, the Council was authorized to issue a demolition order for the property. However, the Manager requested a delay in the demolition to allow for the completion of a pending sale to a buyer who is committed to rehabilitating the building for a new business. The Council agreed to extend the timeline, providing additional time for the sale to close and for the new owner to make arrangements to upgrade the building.
A major downtown revitalization initiative was also presented as Town Manager Shawn Condon and Assistant Town Manager/Planning Director Christopher Seaberg introduced the proposed Nonresidential Maintenance Code. Mr. Condon explained that the ordinance is a key part of the Town’s strategy to strengthen and beautify the downtown district, encourage private investment, and ensure commercial properties actively contribute to revitalization efforts. Unlike standard building codes, this proposal focuses on exterior appearance, ongoing upkeep, and preventing deterioration before it becomes a problem.
Mr. Seaberg outlined the proposal’s key provisions, including minimum maintenance standards for all nonresidential buildings, with a strong emphasis on downtown storefronts. Requirements would cover repairing damaged facades, securing vacant properties, registering vacant buildings with the Town, and maintaining attractive storefront displays or window treatments. Strong enforcement measures such as fines, abatement authority, and the ability for the Town to perform repairs at the owner’s expense are included to ensure compliance.
Mr. Condon emphasized that the goal is to set consistent, fair standards that improve the exterior appearance of all downtown buildings, protect property values, improve public safety, and create a welcoming business district. He closed by thanking Mr. Seaberg for his hard work in preparing the latest draft, which will be reviewed again by the Planning Board on August 25 before returning to the Council for consideration.
The meeting concluded with updates from key departments. Parks and Recreation Director Chad Kearney reported on planning for upcoming recreation programs and facility improvements. Public Works Director Ray Bostic provided updates on ongoing infrastructure projects and maintenance efforts across town. WWTP Superintendent CJ Foster shared progress on wastewater treatment operations and optimization efforts to improve efficiency and meet regulatory standards. Finance Director Temika Williams updated the Council on budget tracking and preparations for the annual financial audit.
The August 4 meeting showcased the Town Council’s commitment to thoughtful, strategic decisions that preserve La Grange’s unique character while positioning the community for lasting growth and success. From strengthening neighborhoods to raising the standards for downtown properties, each step taken brings the Town closer to its vision of a vibrant, welcoming, and prosperous community. Together, the Mayor, Council, Town staff, citizens, and volunteers are building the foundation for a stronger economy, healthier neighborhoods, and a thriving downtown that will serve residents for generations to come.
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