Glen Alpine zoning ordinance update serves as clear guide for future development

The Town of Glen Alpine is moving forward with an upgrade to its zoning ordinance, streamlining regulations with a clearer, modernized guide for future development as the town pursues downtown revitalization and economic growth.

The town’s previous zoning ordinance dates back to 1998 and, while revised, was never formally adopted by the board of aldermen. The new 181-page ordinance was drafted by Burke County’s planning staff, with about 90% of the information remaining the same.

New Planning Director Bradley Kirkley, who has 20 years of planning experience with the county, said the update focuses on creating clearer definitions, improving compliance with North Carolina statutes, and making the ordinance easier to interpret and enforce. The ordinance does not rezone any properties.

“If we’re going to do a revitalization of downtown, it would be important to know what areas allow for what as you recruit the businesses to come in, to make the town thrive, to make it develop and prosper,” Kirkley said.

The ordinance formally defines zoning districts that previously existed without clear descriptions. Several updates also give the town more flexibility for future development, including reducing minimum lot widths from 100 feet to 70 feet and allowing more coverage of lots, whether it be with more buildings, pavement, or other surfaces.

The ordinance also allows residential solar panels and permits campgrounds, RV parks, and care and recovery facilities through a special use permit process. Facilities for the homeless population would be allowed through a conditional zoning.

“Conditional zoning is added into a toolbox for y’all to have,” Planner Patrick Dickinson said. “That requires the planning board and the aldermen to make decisions about any of those uses. Before it would ever be permitted, it would have to go through two rounds of public comment and all of y’all’s opinions as well.”

The ordinance further outlines standards for parking, signage, fencing, and screening, while clarifying the responsibilities of the planning board and the board of adjustment.

“There’s very clear direction, districts are defined, growth for Glen Alpine could occur with this,” Kirkley said. “It’s not taking away anything from anybody. It’s looking to make it more streamlined.”

No zoning ordinance is perfect, he said, adding that there will be future tweaks and modifications as the town evolves.

Aldermen also approved funding to pave the walking track at Downtown Glen Alpine Park and four parking spaces at the Veterans Memorial. Alderman Reid Scott said he has already raised more than $4,000 for the project, but needs about $9,000 more for the parking spaces.

Mayor Kevin Herron suggested using the town’s Powell Bill funds for the walking track but did not designate a funding source for the parking.