February 20, 2007 Macon County Planning Board

Structure Height Ordinance Allows construction to 4 stories or 48 feet, whichever is greater Measured from the top of the foundation Enforced through the building permit process No permit will be issued for building plans indicating a structure greater than 4 stories or 48 feet

Subdivision Ordinance- What the State Mandates GS 153A-330 allows subdivision regulations GS 153A-331 stipulates contents and requirements of the ordinance – the ordinance may contain stipulations in regards to right of way dedication for connections to existing public infrastructure, ie. roads and utilities and

Subdivision Ordinance- What the State Mandates Con’t. 153A-331 continued: accurate preliminary and/or final plats indicating the property boundaries, lot boundaries, utility locations, road locations, and easement boundaries

Subdivision Ordinance- What the State Mandates Con’t. 153A-332: ordinance shall contain procedures for plat approval And that the following agencies be given opportunities to make recommendations regarding submitted plats District highway engineer County health director Any other agency or official designated by the board of County Commissioners

Subdivision Ordinance- What the State Mandates Con’t. 153A-332 continued: Final approval options Board of Commissioners Board of Commissioners on recommendation of a planning agency Planning agency

Subdivision Ordinance- What the State Mandates Con’t. 153A-332 continued: No subdivision plat shall be filed or recorded without signed approval from appropriate board or agency The Plat Review Officer shall not certify a plat of a subdivision if it has not met the requirements of the subdivision ordinance

Subdivision Ordinance- What the State Mandates Con’t. 153A-332 continued: this statute leaves open the option of requiring a preliminary plat and sketch plan. The Institute of Government says, “It is common for subdivision ordinances to require submittal of both a sketch plan for preliminary staff review and a preliminary plat for a formal interagency review. The preliminary plat typically depicts all lots and proposed improvements. Upon approval of the preliminary plat, the improvements (such as roads, utilities, and so forth) can be constructed. Upon completion of the improvements, the final plat is submitted for approval. Upon approval of the final plat, lot sales can commence.”

Subdivision Ordinance- What the State Mandates Con’t. 153A-334 stipulates the penalties for transferring lots in unapproved subdivisions and allows for court orders to obey the subdivision regulations.

Subdivision Ordinance- What the State Mandates Con’t. 153A-335 provides the state mandated definition of a subdivision - "means all divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, building sites, or other divisions when any one or more of those divisions are created for the purpose of sale or building development (whether immediate or future) and includes all division of land involving the dedication of a new street or a change in existing streets; however, the following is not included within this definition and is not subject to any regulations enacted pursuant to this Part: (1) The combination or recombination of portions of previously subdivided and recorded lots if the total number of lots is not increased and the resultant lots are equal to or exceed the standards of the county as shown in its subdivision regulations. (2) The division of land into parcels greater than 10 acres if no street right ‑ of ‑ way dedication is involved. (3) The public acquisition by purchase of strips of land for widening or opening streets or for public transportation system corridors. (4) The division of a tract in single ownership the entire area of which is no greater than two acres into not more than three lots, if no street right ‑ of ‑ way dedication is involved and if the resultant lots are equal to or exceed the standards of the county as shown by its subdivision regulations.”

Subdivision Ordinance- What the State Mandates Con’t. 153A-335 also says - A county may provide for expedited review of specified classes of subdivisions. This provides the option of expedited review for smaller subdivisions and special subdivisions such as conservation subdivisions or cluster developments (subdivisions that preserve a certain percentage of open space)

Subdivision Ordinance- What the State Mandates Con’t and stipulate plat and mapping requirements 153A-345 regulates the variance and variance hearing process

Subdivision Ordinance- Areas open to local discretion Additional exemptions from the regulations Definition of major and minor subdivisions Review process and requirement of sketch, preliminary, and final plan Review process for major and minor subdivisions Content of required plans Review agency, board, and/or technical review committee Treatment of phased development Design standards Road standards Treatment of improvements Storm water runoff provisions Bonding incomplete improvements Process for cluster developments and conservation subdivisions

Subdivision Ordinance- Proposed Timeline March 6 th Exemptions Definition of major and minor Plan requirements – sketch, preliminary, final April 17 th Review process and review agencies Treatment of minor vs. major Treatment of phased development May 15 th Design standards Improvement standards Road standards

Subdivision Ordinance- Proposed Timeline June 19 th Storm water runoff provisions Bonding of incomplete improvements Cluster and conservation subdivisions July 17 th Draft review July 24 th Draft Review August Submit draft to Commission

Subdivision Ordinance- Preliminaries Pre-Application Conference: An informal meeting between county officials where developers introduce their proposals. Preliminary Plat: A map indicating the proposed layout of a development. Minimizes “surprises” to the developer.