Workshops set
on rules for
subdivisions

By LEE HINNANT

Landowners, developers and others interested in development rules are invited to attend any of a series of four public workshops on Columbus County’s proposed subdivision ordinance. The first workshop is tonight – Thursday – at 6 p.m. at South Columbus High School.

The 190-page document represents the county’s first serious attempt to regulate development and is the result of two year’s worth of work by the Planning Board and numerous reviews by state officials and the Board of County Commissioners. It focuses on site-built, residential development, but addresses even the most basic subdivisions of existing land parcels.

“I think we’ve got a document that the majority of the commissioners can support,” Board of Commissioners Chairman Kip Godwin said this week.

County Planner Stevie Cox said the proposed ordinance covers access to properties, minimum lots sizes, maximum building sizes, building density and provisions for buffers and opens areas, among other topics. Cox said he hoped the rules would serve as a foundation that will encourage affordable but quality development as the county grows.

The key number when considering dividing land into building lots is eight. Families who want to convey eight or fewer tracts to relatives face the least-restrictive rules. So-called “minor” subdivisions that have eight or fewer building lots would come under slightly higher requirements. Developers planning to sell more than eight building lots face the most stringent rules and are considered under “major” subdivision requirements.

Time restrictions are imposed to discourage families and minor subdivisions from circumventing the rules. For example, a “parent” tract of land divided under the “family” provisions cannot be further subdivided for three years, nor may the family owners convey the tracts to others for at least five years.

The rules encourage development of land fronting existing state roads and highways, but discourage an excessive number of driveways. All major subdivisions must have roads built to state standards so that the Department of Transportation can take them over and landowners won’t be burdened with maintenance.

Minor and family subdivisions may have private roads, but those roads must at least be constructed with gravel. Private, non-gravel roads that don’t meet the standards may not serve more than two households, under the proposal. Also, the rules preclude “gated” communities if they are considered major subdivisions, since all roads in major subdivisions must be open to the public.

The proposal provides incentives for developers to include open or green space in major subdivisions. It also allows developers to increase building density if they provide “affordable” housing, as defined by state and federal rules. Cox said these provisions are key to helping working families buy site-built housing at reasonable prices.

“It serves the greater market of people here and encourages the development of site-built housing, which appreciates in value,” Cox said. “What we seek is to have a tool that will help the county grow in a way that is orderly and will improve the quality of life.”

The rules establish a board for reviewing appeals and exceptions, as well as civil penalties for violations. Copies are available for review at the Planning Office at 111 Washington St., Whiteville, and at all county libraries.

Other workshops are all at 6 p.m., and will be at East Columbus High School on May 30, West Columbus High School on June 1 and Whiteville High School on June 6.