Morganton asks community to weigh in on future development standards

Business owners, developers, and residents will soon have a chance to give their thoughts on the City of Morganton’s development process. From landscaping requirements to what types of housing can be built in certain areas, feedback from the community will play a role in how land in Morganton gets developed for years to come.

The beginning steps of creating the city’s new Unified Development Ordinance are underway after the city council awarded a $238,000 contract to Kimley-Horn in March. The company is an engineering, planning, and development firm, and will lead the process of outlining requirements for subdivisions, zoning, flood damage prevention, and more.

This month, during two events, community members will be able to discuss topics like landscaping, building designs, how much parking is needed, and what types of housing should be allowed in designated areas. The first event is Thursday, June 25, from 5-7:30 p.m. at Morganton City Hall in the Council Chambers and the second is Friday, June 26, from 6-9 p.m. at the TGIF Concert on the downtown Morganton Courthouse Square.

At both events, there will be several interactive exhibits that will help community members give their thoughts on types of development they would like to see in the city. Kimley-Horn Project Manager Cindy Szwarckop and Planner Greg Feldman will be available to speak with community members, similar to the IMAGINE Morganton 2040 Comprehensive Plan development process.

“The city wants to create a zoning and subdivision ordinance that reflects what the people of Morganton want to see in our community. We encourage you to come out to these community engagement opportunities and share your views,” said Wendy Smith, director of development and design services.

The 18-month process started in April with stakeholder sessions that were closed to the public but involved members of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment, who gave feedback on whether current rules on zoning and subdivisions strike the right balance between community goals and flexibility for developers.

Two stakeholders, including the planning commission’s Pete Wallace and the board of adjustment’s Johnnie Carswell, expressed the desire for less restrictive regulations and more education surrounding permitting, zoning, variances, and more.

City Manager Sally Sandy, who attended portions of the sessions, said that some stakeholders expressed that they don’t want the city to go to no standards by giving up requirements in areas like green space and landscaping.

Not only will the UDO consider community feedback, but it will also bring several dated guides into a more modern era. This includes the watershed protection chapter, which hasn’t been updated since 1994, and the flood damage prevention chapter, which dates back to 2007.

The goal, according to Kimley-Horn staff, is to regulate the norm, not the exception; provide a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate document; make the ordinance understandable to all; clarify regulations and standards with graphics and tables; and emphasize that ordinances are laws based on North Carolina General Statutes.