SALISBURY — The Salisbury City Council will consider adopting a six-month moratorium on the designation of local historic landmarks during its upcoming meeting on Tuesday.

The proposed moratorium comes after conversations among the city council about the historical landmark ordinance and the accompanying tax credit was spawned by a recent spate of applications. Councilor David Post has been the most vocal, saying that he would not vote for any future landmarks because of his opposition to the current ordinance.

The members of the city’s Historic Preservation Committee have provided some recommendations for updating the ordinance, said Planner Emily Vanek during a past meeting, which included strengthening the standards and implementing an ordinance addressing demolition by neglect.

The upcoming Salisbury City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m at City Hall, located at 217 S. Main St. The other agenda items that will be discussed include:

• The council will be introduced to new Land and Development Services City Engineer and Assistant Director Tyler Kemo and Planner John Kinsey.
• The council will receive an update on the Empire block project. The update will include consideration of an ordinance to adopt policies and procedures governing infrastructure reimbursement agreements and amending the downtown capital improvement plan to include the Empire Row Homes infrastructure.
• The council will consider authorizing City Manager Jim Greene Jr. to enter into a $690,000 contract with Hydromax USA for valve assessment services for Salisbury-Rowan Utilities.
• The agenda includes a rezoning request from General Residential and Rural Residential to General Residential with a new Conditional District Overlay for three parcels, located in the 2800 block of Woodleaf Road. However, the petitioner withdrew their request and the agenda item will not be heard during the meeting on Tuesday after community concerns about the rezoning, confirmed City Clerk Connie Snyder.