Council approves rezoning for part of 1800 Strand Street, adds stormwater and containment conditions

The Morrisville Town Council on April 28 unanimously approved Ordinance 2026‑98‑0 to rezone a portion of 1800 Strand Street to Conditional Business Activity Center Gateway Overlay (rezoning rec‑26‑0019). The rezoning had been continued from an earlier meeting to allow revised notice and updated conditions.

Staff and the applicant agreed to several specific conditions addressing outdoor storage tanks and stormwater. Staff removed a previously proposed requirement that above‑ground hazardous storage tanks be covered by a roof because the applicant noted building‑code conflicts. In compensation, the council adopted conditions requiring testing of any rainwater that collects in the secondary containment area for tanks before discharge; if test results exceed state or federal standards the water must be disposed of offsite. A fountain or aerator device must be installed and maintained in the wet pond draining the building to improve oxygenation and water quality. Testing logs will be kept for five years and made available to town staff on request.

Applicant representatives confirmed that the tank enclosures will include a concrete secondary containment curve sized to hold 150% of the largest tank volume plus firefighting volume, topped with a screening wall and gates. Stormwater manager Ben Mills said aerators reduce algal growth and fish‑kill risk by increasing dissolved oxygen in wet ponds. The applicant also described a landscaped evergreen buffer between the greenway and the equipment area; the tank enclosures themselves will have secure perimeter screening and locking gates.

No members of the public signed up to speak on the item at the April 28 meeting; council closed the public hearing and voted to adopt the ordinance on a unanimous voice vote.