The May 26 meeting of the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners focused on two major themes shaping the future of Waxhaw government: preserving transparency in the development approval process and increasing pressure on town staff to identify additional budget savings ahead of the FY 2026-27 budget adoption.
The meeting included lengthy discussion surrounding the Waxhaw public hearing process, skate park improvements, outdated animal licensing ordinances, and the Town’s ongoing budget deliberations.
Commissioners Push Back on Expedited Public Hearing Process
One of the most significant discussions of the evening centered around a staff proposal to restructure how the Town handles public hearings and Land Development Code (LDC) amendments.
Before the agenda was adopted, concerns were raised about including the item at all after the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem had already expressed opposition to changing the process during the agenda preparation meeting last week. Several board members made clear they did not want to normalize same-night votes immediately following public hearings.
Commissioners emphasized that Waxhaw residents deserve time to review proposals, ask questions, and contact elected officials before final decisions are made — especially on zoning and development-related matters.
Discussion repeatedly returned to the importance of maintaining public trust and avoiding any appearance that development approvals were being rushed through the process.
While staff clarified they were primarily seeking procedural clarity and consistency, the Board largely reaffirmed support for the current cadence:
- Initial work session discussion
- Public hearing at a regular meeting
- Final vote at a later meeting after additional time for review
Several commissioners noted that while the Board already has the flexibility to move faster when legally necessary, that authority should remain the exception rather than the norm.
The discussion also touched on the impact of North Carolina’s downzoning restrictions under Senate Bill 382, with concerns raised about unintentionally limiting the Town’s future authority when considering LDC amendments.
By the end of the discussion, the consensus favored formally codifying the Town’s existing process into the Board’s Rules of Procedure rather than creating a faster approval structure.
Board Requests Additional Budget Savings
Another major topic was the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget discussion.
Commissioners continued pressing for a more fiscally conservative approach and requested that Town staff identify additional savings opportunities within the proposed budget before adoption.
The discussion reflected ongoing concerns about rising operational costs, long-term financial obligations, and the importance of maintaining discipline as Waxhaw continues growing.
Board members emphasized the need to carefully balance necessary infrastructure investments with responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The request for additional savings comes as the Town continues facing major capital commitments, including debt obligations tied to the new Town Campus project and increasing infrastructure demands associated with rapid growth.
The budget conversation reinforced a broader theme that has emerged during recent meetings: the Board wants staff to continue looking for efficiencies rather than assuming previously proposed spending levels are final.
A public hearing on the FY 2026-2027 budget is scheduled for June 2.
Waxhaw Skate Park Repairs and Long-Term Planning Approved
The Board unanimously approved two motions related to the Waxhaw Skate Park.
Commissioners authorized:
- $64,000 for critical crack repairs to improve rider safety
- $60,000 for a long-term skate park action plan with Pillar Design Studios
Staff explained that full resurfacing costs had increased dramatically due to rising material prices, making a complete overlay financially burdensome at this time. Instead, the approved repairs will focus on addressing major safety hazards while extending the life of the park for several more years.
The long-term action plan will evaluate:
- Future redesign options
- Potential expansion opportunities
- Soil and stormwater conditions
- Utility conflicts
- Alternative site possibilities
- Grant funding opportunities
Commissioners repeatedly emphasized the importance of the skate park as a heavily used recreational asset and noted that Waxhaw currently has the only skate park of its kind in Union County.
Board Supports Repeal of Outdated Animal Licensing Ordinance
Commissioners also discussed repealing Waxhaw’s animal licensing ordinance, which currently requires residents to register pets and pay licensing fees.
Staff explained that the program is rarely used, generates minimal revenue, and creates unnecessary administrative work for Town employees.
The proposed repeal would eliminate the licensing fee requirement while preserving enforcement authority related to animal control, nuisance violations, and state-mandated rabies vaccination requirements.
Board members generally agreed the ordinance had become outdated and supported removing the administrative burden from staff.
Looking Ahead
The Waxhaw Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting and public hearing on the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget on June 2, followed by its next regular meeting on June 9.
As growth pressures continue and major development policy discussions remain active, the May 26 meeting highlighted the Board’s continued focus on transparency, fiscal restraint, and maintaining public confidence in Waxhaw’s decision-making process.