The Davidson Town Board Tuesday night approved a new ordinance that bans registered sex offenders from town parks and recreation facilities. Also Tuesday, the board:

• Passed a resolution opposing a legislative bill that would require towns to hold referendums on annexation proposals.
• Approved a $721,280 contract with Blythe Construction for repairs on town streets. (Stay tuned for an update on DavidsonNews.net)
• Accepted a quarter-mile of Northeast Drive, north of Jetton Street, as a public street and taking over maintenance.
• Scheduled a public hearing at the Town Board meeting Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. on a proposal to annex two parcels, on Shearer Street at the Iredell County line, off North Main Street.

The sex-offender ordinance and other items were part of the board’s “consent agenda,” which include items to be voted on without additional discussion. In some cases, the items have been discussed previously; in others, they are formalities that require a town board vote, but don’t warrant discussion.

Most of the 1 hour and 5 minute meeting was consumed by a presentation on a proposal for a new parking deck and office building downtown off Jackson Street, next to Town Hall. (See related story.)

SEX OFFENDERS BARRED FROM PARKS

The new ordinance is aimed at convicted sex offenders who by law are require to notify local police when they move into a community. It would formally prohibit registered sex offenders from town parks and recreation facilities, including athletic fields, the Southeast Greenway and other recreation areas.

Exceptions would be made, such as for voting in elections and for community service projects by prisoners.

Chief Jeanne Miller said she proposed the new rule as a precaution, and it was not prompted by a specific incident.

Chief Miller said the town has had a handful of registered sex offenders living within its borders from time-to-time in recent years. At the moment, one registered offender lives in town, near the Twin Oaks neighborhood off South Main Street.

When that person moved to town, Chief Miller said she checked to make sure he was in compliance with existing laws, which prohibit offenders from living within 1,000 feet of schools. (His home is 1,020 feet from Davidson Elementary.)

The town currently has no rules regarding parks. Because the lone offender in town right now was convicted of a child-related offense, Chief Miller and parks director Steve Fraher came up with the new ordinance as a precaution, she said.

Violators would be subject to fines of up to $500 and arrest. The ordinance says signs will be posted in town parks to note the rules.

DOCUMENTS

Text of the new ordinance, PDF format

Resolution opposing HB 524, which would require referendums as part of annexations, PDF.