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Public Hearing - Union County Rural Land Use Plan and Land Use Map Amendments
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bjorn E. Hansen, Planning Department, Senior Planner- Long Range Planning, 704-283-3690
ACTION REQUESTED:
Conduct public hearing for plan adoption and Land Use Map amendments.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
1) May 6, 2024, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item # 24-289 - Authorize staff to apply for Green Growth Toolkit grant.
2) March 17, 2025, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item # 25-071 - Receive update on vision statement.
3) August 11, 2025, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #25-483 - Receive update on draft strategies
BACKGROUND:
The steering committee has completed its work in developing a land use plan for the rural parts of Union County. The draft report summarizes the work of the committee, including its strategy recommendations, which are below:
• Expand agricultural easement purchase program
• Require contiguous areas for open space in major subdivisions
• Express concern over impacts from bypasses
• Limit major subdivisions in certain zoning districts
• Expand rural area in Land Use Map
• Add six rural centers to the Land Use Map
• Flexibility for commercial uses in rural areas
• Provide options for smaller developments impacted by open space requirements
• Create a conservation development brochure
The Soil and Water Conservation District and Land Use Board both reviewed and recommend the plan as submitted.
A total of two comments have been received from the public. Both noted concern over impacts of growth and transportation projects on rural character and agriculture.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no impacts from the plan adoption.