Laurinburg · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Laurinburg public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Speed bumps request on Midland Way
Residents asked for speed bumps; staff and the city attorney say liability rules don't support them in 35 mph zones, and lowering speed limits citywide isn't on the table. Expect more signage and police patrols instead.
Peden Street duplex rezoning
Two residential lots on Peden Street can now host duplexes after the rezone to Office/Institutional. A neighbor objected at the planning board stage, noting a duplex already sits next door (grandfathered).
Zoning appeals consolidated under City Council
The rarely-used Board of Adjustment is gone; the council itself now hears variances and zoning appeals, wearing a second quasi-judicial hat. An ETJ member appointed by county commissioners will sit with them.
Disposal of vacant city-owned parcels
The city has accumulated about 149 tiny leftover parcels through tax foreclosures — some .01 acres. Council wants most of them sold cheaply to neighbors via sealed bid, starting with a formal resolution in November.
Special Use Permit request on Dundee Drive
The hospital is buying 13.9 acres next to its new surgical center for future development, now that the land is rezoned. Neighbors were promised a wooded buffer, and no one objected.
McGirt's Bridge Road multifamily special use permit
The council set a September 22 public hearing for a multifamily housing development on McGirt's Bridge Road. The city attorney warned this will be a quasi-judicial hearing where the council acts as judges, and urged proponents and opponents to be well-versed in the UDO and consider legal counsel.
Three sidewalk projects
Long-awaited sidewalks along Atkinson Street, West Boulevard, and Main Street may finally happen, with the feds paying 80 percent. But the plans could require cutting beloved oak trees on Atkinson and West Boulevard, and council members are urging residents to review the plans.
Community Garden Special Use Permit
A special use permit was proposed for a community garden east of Deluca Street between R. Graham and West Allen Streets. The hearing would let neighbors weigh in before any council decision.
City Manager's Salary
Council was scheduled to set City Manager Charles D. Nichols III's salary in closed session — a personnel decision with budget implications.
Hillside Cemetery Improvements
Ordinance O-2026-14 would fund a road at Hillside Cemetery and a cemetery equipment shed, with completion expected next fiscal year.
Special use permit hearing on Parcel No. 01004202025
A special use permit request for land near Deluca, R. Graham, and West Allen Streets gets a public hearing on June 16 — neighbors will have a chance to comment.
Substance Abuse Treatment Center Zoning Amendment
The city will hold an April 21 hearing on changing Section 7.47.2 of the Unified Development Ordinance, which governs substance abuse treatment centers/offices.
McKay Street Tank Rehabilitation Project
A bid award was on the agenda to rehabilitate the McKay Street water tank — maintenance of the city's water storage capacity.
Economic development grant payment
Ordinance O-2026-03 would amend the current-year budget to pay a scheduled economic development grant — a direct use of city funds to support local economic development commitments.
Circle K store site plan
The council was set to consider approving the site plan for a new Circle K store, a step toward bringing the convenience store project to construction.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Laurinburg’s fire chief and the city are being sued over a deadly 2022 fire truck crash. That means a settlement or court judgment could land on local taxpayers.
Municipal Charter Revocation
East Laurinburg is facing a state recommendation that could dissolve its town government by revoking its charter. If that happens, local services and decisions would likely shift to the county, so residents need to watch who ends up running things.
Crime Perception Debate
Laurinburg is having a real argument about whether its 'dangerous' reputation is earned or overblown. The stakes aren't just pride—officials and residents say the label can scare off jobs and growth. So the fight is really about crime facts versus the story a city tells about itself.