City Council amends subdivision regulations

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Council recently approved multiple text amendments to update the subdivision review and approval regulations as well as the zoning ordinances. Trevor Nuttall, Community Development director, presented the amendments to the council.

The amendments were the result of an investigation by city staff related to regulation of subdivisions within the city’s land use jurisdiction.

The proposed amendments address various issues related to land development and land use regulation, including review, approval, appeal and variance processes, technical standards, and approval expiration timeframes.

Topics include: Modifying the subdivision variance and appeal process.

— Changing subdivision approval authority.

— Establishing expiration durations for subdivision sketch design plats and extending expiration durations for preliminary plats.

— Changing plat certification language and dimensional requirements.

— Clarifying street lighting responsibilities within new major subdivisions.

— Establishing private street design standards for larger planned unit developments.

— Clarifying that Article XI applies only to residential townhouse developments located in the B3 district.

— Cross-referencing sections of the subdivision ordinance with other city codes and statutory provisions.

— Making miscellaneous clerical corrections.

Other Business

Also at the meeting, council members: 

- Passed a resolution proclaiming 2023 as the Year of the Trail. Mary Joan Pugh, Randolph County trail coordinator, Mary Joan Pugh, Randolph County trail coordinator, presented the resolution, which supports the NC General Assembly’s similar proclamation. She gave credit to the City of Asheboro for its help and support of the Deep River Trail even though just a small portion of it runs through the city. She said that with funds provided by the state, it’s expected that the Deep River Trail will be completed by next summer from Randleman to Ramseur.

•Approved a request by Carlos Ramos to rezone a one-third acre lot at 564 Cox Ave. from general commercial conditional zoning to medium-density residential. Ramos said he wants to convert the former commercial building into a family home.

•Gave approval to the preliminary plat review for a 10-lot residential development on 3.67 acres on Allred Street. The site had originally been rezoned for that purpose in 2018.

•Authorized the consultation with an environmental lawyer concerning the city’s wastewater treatment plant permit.

•Agreed to a lease agreement with T-Mobile South for the placement of electronic communications equipment on the Church Street water tower. The agreement, which expires in 2033, requires T-Mobile South to pay $2,990 per month during the lease period.

•Approved an ordinance to permanently close a portion of West Pritchard Street, which is currently barricaded.

•Recognized Finance Officer Deborah Reaves “for her vital role in the city’s receipt from the Government Finance Officers Association of a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.”

•Were introduced to Addie Corder, the new executive director of Downtown Asheboro Inc. She began her duties on Jan. 3.

•Heard from Nuttall of the city’s intent to apply for funds from the NC Housing Finance Agency Urgent Repair Program. The program assists homeowners whose homes are in significant need of repair. Nuttall said the hope is to do at least 11 homes if the grant is awarded to Asheboro.