By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — City Council will consider a rezoning request to allow development of a campus-style apartment complex along West Jake Alexander Boulevard.
Council will meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall, 217 S. Main St., to consider the request by the developer of the 80-unit Sterling Trace, proposed for a six-acre vacant tract between Salisbury Village apartments and the Bank of North Carolina. Council will hold a public hearing.
Like Westgate Commons planned near the new Aldi shopping center, Sterling Trace would be financed with competitive tax credits through the N.C. Housing Finance Agency and leased to families with limited incomes.
The property is already zoned for apartments but developer Dustin Mills of Greenville, N.C. needs rezoning to accommodate a campus-style complex. Salisbury Planning Board recommended approval to City Council.
Downtown Salisbury Inc. will make several requests Tuesday, including presenting the group’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Downtown Salisbury will ask to buy city-owned property in the 100 block of West Fisher Street for $1.
The 30-by-65-foot parcel, which runs between First United Methodist Church and the future Go Burrito restaurant, would provide direct access between Fisher Street and the Empire Hotel parking lot, owned by Downtown Salisbury.
“Access to that parking is crucial for redevelopment of the hotel,” Executive Director Randy Hemann said in a letter to the city.
Downtown Salisbury also will ask the city to apply for a $75,000 Main Street Solutions Grant to promote investment and job creation downtown.
Also on Tuesday, the council will:
• Recognize City Engineer Dan Mikkelson for receiving the American Public Works Association national Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year Award.
• Hold a public hearing regarding an application for a 2012 Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $38,332.
• Consider rezoning the Wilco-Hess at 827 W. Jake Alexander Boulevard to fix a split-zoning problem
• Hear an update on the one-stop center for design, review and permit processing planned for the City Office Building, 132 N. Main St.
• Consider removing traffic signals at North Fulton and West Liberty streets and replacing them with stop signs on West Liberty. Also consider removing traffic signals at North Lee and East Kerr streets and replacing them with all-way stop signs.
• Receive public comments.
• Hear City Manager Doug Paris’s comments, including an update on overhead street name signs.
• Go into closed session to consult with an attorney.
• Recess until 2 p.m. May 25 at City Hall to hear the budget presentation by Paris.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.

Other city news
• Public meeting 7 p.m. Thursday at Mount Calvary Holy Church, 1400 Standish Street, to discuss a proposed application for a $600,000 Byrne Department of Justice Innovation Grant, intended to provide solutions to crime in the West End neighborhood.    
• Pedestrian workshop 7 p.m. May 24 at the J.F. Hurley Family YMCA for input on pedestrian activities and expectations in the area of Jake Alexander Boulevard from Brenner Avenue to Castlewood Drive. Residents of surrounding neighborhoods are invited.  
• BlockWork will be Oct. 27, National Make a Difference Day. Neighborhoods should submit a block for consideration by 5 p.m. June 8. Applications are available at www.salisburync.gov . To learn more, call 704-638-5242.
• Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment need members who live in the extra-territorial jurisdiction. Apply by calling 704-638-5224.