Chatham County, NC - File #: 24-5561

• File #: 24-5561
• Version: 1
• Type: Agenda Item
• Status: Work Session
• File created: 9/23/2024
• In control: Planning
• On agenda: 10/7/2024
• Title: Receive a presentation on the Draft Recode Chatham Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)
• Indexes: Comp Plan Goal 1: Preserve the rural character and lifestyle of Chatham County, Comp Plan Goal 10: Foster a healthy community., Comp Plan Goal 2: Preserve, protect, and enable agriculture and forestry., Comp Plan Goal 3: Promote a compact growth pattern by developing in and near existing towns, communities, and in designated, well planned, walkable, mixed use centers., Comp Plan Goal 4: Diversify the tax base and generate more high-quality, in-county jobs to reduce dependence on residential property taxes, create economic opportunity and reduce out-commuting., Comp Plan Goal 5: Conserve natural resources., Comp Plan Goal 6: Provide recreational opportunities and access to open space., Comp Plan Goal 7: Provide infrastructure to support desired development and support economic and environmental objectives., Comp Plan Goal 8: Become more resilient by mitigating, responding and adapting to emerging threats., Comp Plan Goal 9: Provide equitable access to high-quality education, housing and community options for all.

Title

Receive a presentation on the Draft Recode Chatham Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)

Abstract

Introduction & Background:

The County entered into a contract with White & Smith, LLC to develop a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The goal of the UDO is to combine the County’s existing development regulations into one cohesive and user-friendly ordinance. The new UDO aims to simplify and clarify development standards, ensuring that the process is easier to understand for the public, elected officials, and appointed boards, while creating a more predictable development review process. The primary result of the project is the new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), which serves as the primary regulatory document that guides all development and land use in the county.

This project began in late 2021 and has included multiple meetings with the Board of Commissioners (BOC) & Planning Board to gather input and direction. A UDO Planning Board Subcommittee was formed, composed of Planning Board members and Ex-Officio members from other Advisory Boards and Committees. Their feedback, alongside staff contributions, has been essential in shaping the UDO to reflect the County’s policy guides, including Plan Chatham <https://www.chathamcountync.gov/government/departments-programs-i-z/planning/adopted-plans/comprehensive-plan>, Plan Moncure <https://www.recodechathamnc.org/planmoncure>, & the Recode Chatham Health & Equity Assessment.  <https://www.recodechathamnc.org/healthandequity>

The consultants began with a code audit <https://www.recodechathamnc.org/_files/ugd/1d382f_cffe6f3183844bafa1cf62e03d699abf.pdf> in May 2022, which informed the draft revisions. Module 1 (Zoning) was released as a Public Review Draft in March 2023. Following this, the team worked on Module 2 (Development Standards), which was presented in May of this year. Module 3 (Administration & Procedures) and Module 4 (Definitions) were finalized and presented in mid-July of this year. The full consolidated draft of the UDO was released to the public on September 6th, with public comments accepted through October 10th via Konveio <https://recodechathamnc.konveio.com/>. Staff and the consultants will review the feedback for consideration by the BOC. The Planning Board is holding a special meeting on September 24^th to discuss the consolidated draft while having the opportunity to ask questions to the project team.

Discussion & Analysis:

The White & Smith consultant team, alongside County staff, will present the consolidated draft of the Recode Chatham UDO to the BOC. This draft incorporates all the regulations from previous modules presented to the Board. The presentation will highlight key differences in the new ordinance, with a focus on the positive impacts of the proposed regulations. In addition, we will also discuss aspects of the UDO implementation for the BOC to begin considering as well. The work session will allow the BOC to ask questions, followed by a public hearing during the regular meeting to begin the adoption process and receive public comment. The Planning Board is anticipated to have a recommendation to the BOC for the UDO draft at their October 8^th Special Meeting.

How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan:

The UDO implements the policies, goals, and vision of Plan Chatham, ensuring that the comprehensive plan’s guidelines are reflected in the County’s land use regulations.

Budgetary Impact: N/A

Recommendation/Motion: Receive a presentation on the Draft Recode Chatham Unified Development Ordinance and provide feedback.