SALISBURY — As part of an update of the uncommon signs ordinance, the Salisbury City Council on Tuesday approved a text amendment that will allow Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Hood Theological Seminary to apply for electronic billboards.

The city has started rezoning properties to the community and institution (CI) category, which would allow schools, churches and public safety stations to request approval for an electronic message center or electronic billboard.

The city approved the first set of rezoning on major boulevards. As the second set, the city looked to get approval for properties that abut Interstate 85 and are a part of the CI classification. Two affected properties are Rowan-Cabarrus college and Hood seminary.

Zoning Administrator Teresa Barringer said RCCC has approached the city Planning Department on several occasions about putting up an electronic sign that can be seen from the interstate.

“The request today is not to actually approve or consider any specific sign, but I would’ve been remiss if I wouldn’t have brought up the actual properties to your attention,” Barringer said. “We have had conversations and prior interest (about) the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College sign.”

Dusty Sayne, of RCCC, spoke about the benefits an electronic sign can bring to the community college and the city.

“If given approval, we would like to build a beautiful sign there that would make an impression about the quality of education experience that you would received coming to the community college. We also think it would make a great first impression on the city of Salisbury having a nice looking sign right there,” Sayne said.

Councilwoman Karen Alexander asked if other properties in the future could have an electronic message center along I-85. Barringer said the schools are currently the only two, but that could change if a property is redeveloped.

The council unanimously approved the uncommon signs text amendment for CI zoning next to the interstate.

The council also approved rezoning a parcel to hospital services and combining it with three other parcels for Novant Health’s Wallace Cancer Center at Mocksville and Mahaley avenues.

Council members commended the engineers for thinking about the neighborhood and keeping the center to one story.

Mayor Pro Tem David Post questioned how parking would be affected at the hospital. Currently the four parcels are used for staff parking. The parcels will now host the cancer center, a healing garden and parking for cancer patients.

Matt Stiene, vice president of engineering at Novant Health, said parking is a priority and Novant has done multiple studies to ensure that patients and staff have a place to park. With the garden and more pervious ground, he hopes flooding will decrease with an update to the stormwater system.

Councilwoman Tamara Sheffield said she supports the new cancer center, especially having traveled hours, so her parents could have a one-stop shop for treatment.

In other business:

• The council approved a bid by Hanes Construction to repave several city roads for $407,610.
• The council agreed to a Level 2 revised incentive grant for Project Care
• The council approved a sidewalk and lane closure for the 200 block of West Innes Street to allow St. John’s Lutheran Church to repair its towers from Feb. 11 to March 15. The closures will occur from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. so as not to disrupt times of highest traffic.
• Mayor Al Heggins presented a proclamation declaring February to be African-American History Month to DeeDee Wright.