Kinston City Council to consider rezoning, sewer project hearing and budget changes
The Kinston City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at City Hall, 207 E. King St., to consider a rezoning request, a proposed street renaming, a sewer grant hearing, a budget amendment and other items.
The meeting will be held in person and livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel, @thecityofkinston. The agenda says the meeting also will be available on KTV, the local government channel 2. Council members may amend the agenda before voting to adopt it.
One public hearing will focus on a request from Mitchel Sugg of 3SC Properties, on behalf of Walter Poole Realty Inc., to rezone about 39 acres at 0 Dobbs Farm Road from I-1 industrial to RA-6 residential. The property, identified as NC PIN 4516-19-2410, is vacant agricultural land, according to the planning staff report. City staff and the planning board recommend approval, saying the request is consistent with the city’s comprehensive land use plan.
Council also is scheduled to hold a public hearing on renaming Springhill Street as Maceo Parker Way. The proposed change would apply to the full length of Springhill Street, from South Heritage Street to South Queen Street, and would take effect Oct. 1 if adopted. A city memo says the delay would give affected property owners time to update mailing addresses and accounts, and give the city time to notify Lenoir County and the U.S. Postal Service and install new signs.
On the action agenda, council will consider setting a Sept. 15 public hearing for a Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure application for the Washington Avenue Sewer Rehabilitation Project. The proposed project would replace or rehabilitate 7,264 linear feet of 8-inch sewer line, 35 manholes and 130 sewer services along East Washington Avenue between North Independence Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Staff says the project area has a low- and moderate-income percentage of 94.06% based on income surveys, and no displacement or relocation is anticipated.
Council also will consider purchasing an 80,000-pound fleet maintenance truck lift from AutoTech Solutions for $152,498.78 plus tax. A staff memo says the city budgeted $226,000 in fiscal year 2027 to replace a 1988 Omer hydraulic truck lift that has lost some capacity after nearly 40 years of service.
The council will consider an operating budget amendment for fiscal year 2026-27. The amendment includes higher vehicle insurance costs across several city departments, debt-payment reallocations tied to prior vehicle purchases, a $2,000 donation for Fire and Rescue education materials and a 10% salary increase for an employee taking on cemetery administration duties.
Council also will consider a special event permit for the Mother Earth Brewing Ironclad Half Marathon and 5K, scheduled for Oct. 17. The event would start and end at Grainger Stadium and include off-duty law enforcement, EMS coverage and alcohol service.
Information items include an update on the city and county Corridor Demolition Program and a presentation on 40 years of downtown revitalization. Residents who wish to speak during citizen comment must sign in before the meeting starts and may speak for up to three minutes.
