N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-10
Every municipality is authorized to condemn property to carry out the purposes of this Part. In condemning property, a municipality shall proceed in the manner provided in Chapter 40A of the General Statutes or in the charter of the municipality. A municipality or its agents is authorized to enter upon land, provided no unnecessary damage is done, to make surveys and examinations relative to any condemnation proceeding. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute or of any applicable municipal charter, the municipality may take possession of property to be condemned at any time after the commencement of the condemnation proceeding. The municipality shall not be precluded from abandonment of the condemnation of property in any case where possession has not taken place.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-10