MOORESVILLE — The Mooresville Redevelopment Commission discussed plans to build a fence at the town's police station during its meeting Thursday evening at the Mooresville Government Center.

Police Chief Kerry Buckner approached the commission to discuss the ongoing project of building a fence located behind the police station. The fence would have controlled access.

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"Our whole goal was to build a fence around the back of the police department with controlled access for two reasons," Buckner said. "One, we have encountered some First Amendment auditors that pretty much just harass the police. They've been in the building, they've tried to go in some restricted areas and we had to get some signage for that. Secondly, with all the ambushes on officers now being killed sitting in their cars, we wanted the officers to have a safe place behind the PD to come back and do their paperwork. It is fairly dark back there. So we wanted to put controlled access."

Buckner mentioned that the present goal is only to build a fence. He said that the department hopes to eventually construct a pole barn equipped with a small gym where officers can train and maintain their fitness levels.

Buckner explained that the police department does not intend to use this potential fence as a car lot. He assured the commission any cars placed in the area would be there on a temporary basis for no longer than 30 days.

"I wanted to clarify that we're not going to have a car lot or salvage yard. We are just wanting a safe place for officers," he said. "We have pull cars, we have cars we don't use. We have extra cars and they have to stay on the property. We have garages but we don't have enough garage space to keep them inside so we keep them outside. From time to time, if we have a car that we're waiting for a search warrant on, we'll take it to the PD to wait for the search warrant. So it would be a very temporary thing."

Buckner revealed the town's building department's superintendent Dave Moore confirmed that the police department does not need a zoning variance to move forward with the project. However, the area in question was previously considered a floodplain.

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So the next step in the process is to conduct a survey to reassess the land directly behind the police station. In order to do that, the commission has to amend its capital improvements plan.

RDC consultant Chelsey Manns said Adam Steuerwald, the commission's attorney, can draft initial documents for a revised plan amendment that can be presented during the commission's next meeting.

A motion to have Steuerwald amend the plan to pay for the fence passed unopposed.

Manns provided an update on the Mooresville Business Center. She requested permission from the commission to procure a quote from Banning Engineering based out of Plainfield to plat nearly 17 acres north of the empty shell building at the corner of State Road 67 and Merriman Road.

"I have spent most of my month working with our brokers as well as our attorneys and potential users for Mooresville's Business Center," Manns said. "That includes the shell building, lot 2 and lot 3, which is the 16.9 acres north of the shell building, as well as the roughly 56 acres west of the shell building."

Mooresville is in the process of fielding interest from prospective buyers interested in purchasing the 75,000-square-foot shell building or parcels next to it. 

The commission unanimously approved the request to solicit quotes to conduct surveys and platting on behalf of the town.

The redevelopment commission discussed the impact the timing of the town's comprehensive plan could have on potential projects. Residents are encouraged to attend an open house workshop to learn more about the plan and to share their feedback. The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Mooresville High School. A survey can be completed online at www.planmooresville.com.

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Lastly, the commission approved claims worth $19,059.96.

The next scheduled meeting of the Mooresville Redevelopment Commission is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29 at the Mooresville Government Center, 4 E. Harrison St., Mooresville.