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Cherryville, NC (WNN)— The Cherryville City Council held its monthly meeting on Monday, August 11, 2025. They made decisions that balanced new policies with community wants and needs. The council ultimately voted to extend the city limits, adjust the rules around alcohol sales on Sundays, give a shout-out to the team effort involved in the American Legion baseball tournament, and address other issues.
The meeting began with an invocation from Pastor Zach Christy of First United Methodist Church. Christy expressed gratitude for the city and asked for strength and peace for the community, especially as kids get ready to head back to school. Once the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, the Council approved the agenda and the minutes from their July 14 meeting.
Mayor H.L. Beam welcomed City Manager Brian Dalton back from vacation and noted that Council Member Janice Hovis was representing Cherryville at the ElectriCities annual convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Beam highlighted progress on downtown public art, noting that artist Judy Dempsey has done a magnificent job on her mural of Bob and Pat Barker. He said Mr. Barker was "very excited and appreciative" of the mural. The city plans to have a public ceremony to honor the Barkers at a suitable time for all parties involved.
Beam also gave several updates on business and infrastructure developments. Five Spur Steakhouse is expected to open in early September after having completed painting, flooring, and kitchen equipment installation. City Hall remodeling, including installing an elevator for accessibility, is set to begin soon by Beam Construction of Cherryville. Meanwhile, Farris Fab has started manufacturing barrier panels that will be installed in the mini park alongside the railroad banks to improve safety and appearance.
The area where the barrier panels will be installed along the railroad banks.
August 12th, 2025. By: Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
Beam congratulated the organizers and participants of the American Legion Regional Baseball Tournament held in Asheboro, NC. He noted that the Asheville Post 70 will represent North Carolina in the upcoming American Legion World Series in Shelby, NC, beginning August 14. He wished the team luck and reminded the community that Cherryville will host the regional event in 2026.
The Council held a public hearing for the voluntary annexation of parcel ID 315165 at 119 Grove Road, petitioned by property owner Dan Authurs for a 17-unit RV park.
Planning and Zoning Director Richard Elam described the step-by-step process, noting that the petition had been filed on June 23 and certified in July. It was advertised in the Lincoln Times on July 30 and shared with the property owners. He explained that the land borders the old Ford property and the CSX railroad near Lester Street, connecting the city limits.
With no one speaking against it, the Council closed the hearing. Mayor Beam read the annexation ordinance in detail, officially adding the property to Ward Two. The Council voted unanimously in favor, and Beam welcomed the new RV area to Cherryville.
The Council then considered an annexation petition for Waffle House, which will be located at the corner of Bud Black Road and Lincolnton Highway (Highway 150), currently 109 Bud Black Rd.
Elam told the Council that they are allowed to vote on the Resolution directing the city clerk to investigate the annexation petition and on the Resolution to set a date for a public hearing. Council member Jill Puett made a motion, seconded by Council Member Jon Abernethy, to schedule the hearing for September 8. The vote was unanimous.
City Manager Brian Dalton mentioned that Five Spur Steakhouse approached the city to enact the "Brunch Bill." This bill would move the start time for Sunday alcohol sales up 2 hours from noon, with sales starting at 10 a.m. Dalton noted that this bill is already in surrounding counties. If the city adopted the ordinance, it would immediately take effect for licensed restaurants.
The outside of Five Spur Steakhouse in downtown Cherryville, North Carolina
August 12th, 2025. By: Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
Council member Gary Freeman said, "Personally, I would prefer to see people in church on Sunday morning, but I believe in the freedom of choice. If the proprietor wants to offer alcohol that early in the morning and people want to buy it, I'm not going to stand in the way."
Freeman made a motion, with Councilwoman Janis Hovis casting her vote remotely by phone, and the ordinance passed unanimously.
According to the current City of Cherryville website, the ordinances concerning alcohol sales have not been updated since the late 1990s.
During Other Business, Councilwoman Jill Puett thanked staff, volunteers, and local organizations for their work during the two-week American Legion baseball tournament. Those who came from different states to watch their children play baseball praised Cherryville for its clean ballpark. Puett praised city staff members, saying, "We couldn't have done it without our police department, fire department, volunteers, and city staff. These families were amazed. They said they'd never been treated this royally."
Fans getting ready for Post 535 vs Post 100 - Day 1 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 26th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
Mayor Beam reminded everyone that Cherryville will host the American Legion regional tournament in 2026 and updated them on Asheville Post 70's World Series schedule. He also noted that weather issues in Shelby could result in some World Series games being played in Cherryville.
With no further business from staff or Council, the meeting was adjourned.
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