Proposed changes to the Moore County subdivision codes are facing additional review after residents and Planning Board members raised concerns about rural development and public participation.
The Moore County Planning Board reviewed a package of proposed revisions and made several recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. Members supported some changes, opposed others and determined that several proposals needed more consideration.
Much of the public discussion focused on preserving the rural character of Moore County.
Residents told the board that some of the proposed Moore County subdivision codes could make rural property more attractive for larger development projects. They also questioned whether the changes would be consistent with the county’s future land-use plan.
That plan was adopted last year and identifies the preservation of rural areas as one of the county’s major long-term goals.
Changes Proposed for Minor Subdivisions
One of the most debated proposals involved the definition of a minor subdivision.
Under the current Moore County subdivision codes, a minor subdivision can include no more than four lots. Additional subdivision of the property is prohibited for at least three years, and nearby property owners are restricted from creating another minor subdivision within 500 feet of the original property boundary.
The proposed language would define a minor subdivision based on acreage rather than a four-lot maximum.
The proposal would allow any number of lots totaling up to 10 acres, as long as the development meets the zoning requirements for the property. No more than four lots could use an easement for access, while additional lots would need frontage along an existing road built to state standards.
In some zoning districts, the revised language could allow considerably more than four lots.
Planning Board members discussed whether such development would be practical after accounting for road access, setbacks, utilities and other infrastructure requirements. However, several residents said the change could still lead to more development in areas the county has identified as rural.
Residents also warned that spreading development farther into rural areas could increase demand for fire protection, law enforcement, schools, road maintenance and other taxpayer-supported services.
The board unanimously recommended removing the current restriction involving properties within 500 feet. However, members recommended keeping the remainder of the current minor subdivision definition instead of adopting the proposed acreage-based language.
Public Hearings for Major Subdivisions
The Planning Board also reviewed a proposal involving major subdivisions in several rural agricultural zoning districts.
Major subdivisions are currently permitted in RA-20, RA-40 and RA-USB districts, but developers must complete a public hearing process before receiving approval.
The proposed Moore County subdivision codes would allow those projects to receive administrative approval without a public hearing. A sign would be posted on the property notifying neighbors of the subdivision decision and providing contact information.
A majority of Planning Board members recommended denying that change.
Several participants said the county’s land-use plan calls for more resident involvement in development decisions, not less. They argued that removing the public hearing requirement would make it harder for nearby property owners to raise concerns about traffic, drainage, road conditions and the effect of development on surrounding land.
Commissioners Will Consider Recommendations
The Planning Board’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Moore County Board of Commissioners, which will have the final say on any changes.
The discussion over the Moore County subdivision codes comes as county leaders continue to balance demand for new housing with concerns about infrastructure and the loss of rural land.
For residents, the outcome could determine not only how future subdivisions are approved, but also how much opportunity the public has to participate in decisions that could change their communities.
