250310 Regular Meeting
March 10, 2025
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. in the 1909
Randolph County Historic Courthouse Meeting Room, 145 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC. Chairman
Darrell Frye, Vice-Chairman Kenny Kidd, Commissioner David Allen, Commissioner Hope
Haywood, and Commissioner Lester Rivenbark were present. Also present were County Manager
Zeb Holden, Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer Will Massie, Assistant County Manager
William Johnson, County Attorney Ben Morgan, and Clerk to the Board Dana Crisco. Chaplain
Bill Hatfield from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office gave the invocation and everyone recited
the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was livestreamed on YouTube.
Special Recognitions
Captain Brian Arrington retired January 2, 2025 from the Sheriff’s Office with 27 years of
service. Captain Arrington was recognized by Sheriff Greg Seabolt, after which, Chairman Frye
presented him with an engraved clock on behalf of the Board.
Public Comment Period
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. §153A-52.1, Chairman Frye opened the floor for public comment and
closed it after everyone wishing to speak had done so. County Attorney Ben Morgan read aloud
the Public Comment Rules of Procedure.
Mayor David Smith, City of Asheboro, introduced new City Manager Donald Duncan. He
comes from Caldwell County and was the City Manager in Conover. Mr. Duncan thanked the
Commissioners for the opportunity to introduce himself. He said he is looking forward to serving
Asheboro.
Steve Thayer, Fuller Mill Rd. N, Thomasville, complainedabout TASC gun range. The
constant noise bothers farm animals. He is not anti-gun. Most of the members of TASC are not
residents of Randolph County. He wants the community to go back to an agricultural area.
Fritz Wang, 1482 Fuller Mill Rd. N, Thomasville, raised theissue about TASC gun range. He
thought the meeting held last month was productive. Since then, there has been no communication.
Mr. Wang asked those in attendance who were opposed to the gun range to stand. Approximately
15 people stood.
Approve Agenda
On motion of Kidd, seconded by Rivenbark, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the Meeting Agenda
as amended, as follows:
Remove item E, I-74 and New Hope Church Rd. Pump Station, Force Main, and Sewer
Improvements
Consent Agenda
3/10/25
On motion of Kidd, seconded by Rivenbark, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda,
as presented, as follows:
approve Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting Minutes of February 3, 2025 and
Special Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2025;
approve new Audit Contract;
approve addressing agreements with the following municipalities: Archdale,
Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman, Seagrove, Staley, and Trinity, as
follows:
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AN INTERLOCAL STREET ADDRESSING
AGREEMENT WITH THE MUNICIPALITIES HEREIN
WHEREAS,Section 160A-174 of the North Carolina General Statutes
authorizes the “Municipality” to regulate acts, omissions, or conditions
detrimental to thehealth safety, and welfare of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, Section 160A-296 specifically provides that, except to the extent
authority and control over certain streets and bridges is vested in the Board of
Transportation, the “Municipality” has general authority and control over all
public streets, sidewalks, alleys, bridges, and other ways of public passage within
its corporate limits; and
WHEREAS, Section 153A-239.1 of the North Carolina General Statutes
authorizes Randolph County (the “County”) to "name or rename any road within
the County and not within a City (“Municipality”), and may pursuant to a procedure
established by ordinance assign or reassign street numbers for use on such a road;"
and
WHEREAS,Section 638 ofthe Randolph County Unified Development
Ordinance regulates street naming and addressing; and
WHEREAS, with regard to planning and development regulations, Section
160D-202(f) of the North Carolina General Statutes provides that the “County
may, on request of the Board of the “Municipality”, exercise any or all . . ." of
the powers to regulate planning and development within the “Municipality”'s
extraterritorial planning jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, Section 160A-461 of the North Carolina General Statutes
authorizes units of local government to enter into agreements with each other in
order to execute any undertaking; and
WHEREAS, an agreement concerning the shared responsibilities of the
“Municipality” and the “County” for street addressing (the "Agreement") is
attached to this Resolution as EXHIBIT 1 and is hereby incorporated into this
instrument by reference as if copied fully herein; and
WHEREAS, the Boards of the City of Archdale, Town of Franklinville, Town of
Liberty, Town of Ramseur, City of Randleman, Town of Seagrove, Town of Staley,
and the City of Trinity,(“Municipalities”), in order tolessen the chance of
inaccurate information delaying the responsetime for first responders, that(1) a
request has been made to the Randolph County Board of Commissioners for the
“County” to exercise its street addressing authority within the “Municipalities”’
extraterritorial planning jurisdiction, and (2) approval is granted for the
“Municipalities” to enter into the “Agreement” attached hereto.
3/10/25
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by theRandolph County Board of
Commissioners (“Board”) to exercise the street naming and addressing authority
found in Section 638 of the Randolph County Unified Development Ordinance
within the entirety of the extraterritorial planning jurisdiction of the
“Municipalities”; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the “Board” that the request stated in the
immediately preceding paragraph is limited in scope and shall be strictly construed
as pertaining only to Section 638 of the Randolph County Unified Development
Ordinance and only within the “Municipalities’” extraterritorial planning
jurisdiction, not within the corporate limits of the “Municipalities” or any other
territorial jurisdiction of the “Municipalities”; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the “Municipalities” that the “Agreement”
attached to this Resolution as EXHIBIT 1 hereby authorizes Randolph County to
execute the “Agreement”; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the “Board” that this approval is a
continuing approval that shall not lapse unless and until another Resolution
providing otherwise is adopted by the Boards of the “Municipalities” and
implemented by the “Board” in accordance with the applicable state law(s).
approve the Resolution to remove Plat Review Officers for the City of Archdale, as
follows:
RESOLUTION REMOVING REVIEW OFFICERS FOR PLAT REVIEW
(CITY OF ARCHDALE)
WHEREAS, the NCGS § 47-30.2 requires the Board of County Commissioners in
each county, by resolution, to appoint persons to serve as Plat Review Officers to
review each plat before it is presented to the Register of Deeds for recording; and
WHEREAS, from time to time, the County or municipalities may replace persons
designated to perform all responsibilities as required for Plat Review Officers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, effective March 10, 2025, that the M.
Zeb Holden and Duncan Walser be removed as designated Plat Review Officers for
the City of Archdale; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution removing the Plat
Review Officers for Randolph County be recorded in the Randolph County Register
of Deeds Office.
approve the Resolution to add a Plat Officer for the Town of Liberty, as follows:
RESOLUTION ADDING REVIEW OFFICERS FOR PLAT REVIEW
(TOWN OF LIBERTY)
WHEREAS, the NCGS § 47-30.2 requires the Board of County Commissioners in
each county, by resolution, to appoint persons to serve as Plat Review Officers to
review each plat before it is presented to the Register of Deeds for recording; and
WHEREAS, from time to time, the County or municipalities may add persons
designated to perform all responsibilities as required for Plat Review Officers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, effective March 10, 2025, that Liberty
Town Manager Janie Konyek be added as designated Plat Review Officers for the Town
of Liberty; and
3/10/25
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution adding the Plat
Review Officers in Randolph County be recorded in the Randolph County Register of
Deeds Office.
amend the Rules and Procedures for the Randolph County Board of Commissioners
(following these minutes as Attachment A);
approve Budget Amendment - TDA #2025-06 ($15,000), as follows:
2024-2025 Budget Ordinance
Tourism Development Authority
General Fund – Budget Amendment #2025-06
RevenuesIncreaseDecrease
Appropriated Fund Balance$15,000
Appropriations IncreaseDecrease
Operating Costs$15,000
approve Budget Amendment - Public Health ($12,280), as follows:
2024-2025 Budget Ordinance
General Fund – Budget Amendment #56
RevenuesIncreaseDecrease
Restricted Intergovernmental $12,280
Appropriations IncreaseDecrease
Public Health$12,280
approve Project Amendment - Agricultural Center #16 ($228,000), as follows:
Agricultural Center Capital Project Ordinance
Budget Amendment #16
RevenuesIncreaseDecrease
Appropriations IncreaseDecrease
Furniture and Equipment $228,000
Technology $228,000
approve Project Amendment - Asheboro High School #19 ($25,192), as follows:
Asheboro City Schools Capital Project Ordinance
Amendment #19
RevenuesIncreaseDecrease
Sales Tax Refunds $25,192
Appropriations IncreaseDecrease
Transfer to Capital Reserve $25,192
Capital ReserveOrdinance
Budget Amendment #10
RevenuesIncreaseDecrease
Transfer from Asheboro City $25,192
Schools Capital Project
Appropriations IncreaseDecrease
Transfer to General Fund$25,192
3/10/25
approve Project Amendment #2 - StRAP Grant Project Ordinance ($75,000), as
follows:
stRAP Grant Ordinance
Amendment #2
RevenuesIncreaseDecrease
stRAP Grant$75,000
Appropriations IncreaseDecrease
Streamflow Rehabilitation$75,000
approve Historic Courthouse Capital Project Amendment #7 ($200,000), as follows:
Historic Courthouse CapitalProject Fund
Amendment #7
RevenuesIncreaseDecrease
Sales Tax Reimbursement $22,000
Appropriations IncreaseDecrease
Construction $178,000
Transfer to Northgate Capital $200,000
Project
Northgate Capital Project Ordinance
Amendment #13
RevenuesIncreaseDecrease
Transfer from Historic $200,000
Courthouse Project
Appropriations IncreaseDecrease
Professional Services$40,000
Technology $160,000
approve adjustment of Strategic Planning Program funding ($451,948);
approve cost of upfitting eight Ford pursuit vehicles ($107,046);
appoint Steven Maness to the Randolph County Planning Board as an Alternate;
appoint Valery Dambreville and Jeremiah Batchelor to the Randolph County
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council;
appoint Major Bradley Cooper and Lieutenant Jacob Kennedy to the Randolph
County Child Fatality Prevention Team.
Watershed Ordinance
William Johnson, Assistant County Manager/Operations, said Randolph County Planning and
Zoning consistently seeks ways to enhance the lives of citizens and improve the services it provides
Randolph County.
The Randolph County Watershed Protection Ordinance is a tool that allows staff to provide the
public with a framework to successfully utilize property within the designated watershed while
simultaneously protecting water quality and the environment. The proposed changes in Randolph
3/10/25
County’s Watershed Protection Ordinance allow for a slight increase in the amount of impervious
surface allowed in watershed areas to more closely match the State Model Watershed Ordinance.
This update also adds clarity to the Ordinance, removes duplicate information, and addresses
changes at the state level.
On motion of Allen, seconded by Haywood the Board voted 5-0 to 1) to approve amending the
Randolph County Unified Development Ordinance pursuant to Article 400, Section 408 (C), to
include all required legislative updates along with updates to the Randolph County Watershed
Protection Ordinance and the Randolph County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance as
recommended by the Randolph County Planning Board based upon the Determination of
Consistency and Findings of Reasonableness and Public Interest statement and consistent with the
Randolph County Growth Management Plan, submitted during the Randolph County Unified
Development Ordinance amendment presentation, and as may be amended, incorporated into the
motion, and to be included in the minutes and 2) adopt the associated Ordinance Amending the
Randolph County Unified Development Ordinance. (The adopted ordinance will follow these
minutes as Attachment B.)
Employee Wellness Clinic
Sam Varner, Wellness Administrator, stated the Employee Wellness Clinic is proving to be a
great success. The clinic is seeing higher than expected utilization, and staff are reporting high
levels of satisfaction. This rate of use was not expected so quickly, which brings the need for
additional staff hours and an update to the County’s contract with Atrium Health. One of the many
reasons for the additional use of the clinic is that all staff are performing their annual biometric
screenings at the clinic, which reduces the County’s Health Plan costs.
Mr. Varner requested an annual contract increase from $409,629 to $617,022. This increase
requires no additional funding due to realized savings in the Employee Health Plan and can be
absorbed in the current budget. The contract increase will cover the following:
• Addition of 1 part-time staff (Advanced Practice Professional) and 1 full-time staff (Certified
Medical Assistant) to accommodate additional employee utilization needs
• 5% annual inflation increase
Chairman Frye asked about the times that the clinic is open. Mr. Varner responded 8 a.m. –4:30
p.m.
Commissioner Haywood stated that the clinic has definitely been utilized and the County is
getting their monies’ worth.
Commissioner Rivenbark asked about the annual 5% increase in the contract. Mr. Varner said
it was due to inflation this year and would vary year to year.
Commissioner Haywood also mentioned that the clinic attends to thepatients in a timely manner.
3/10/25
On motion of Haywood, seconded by Allen, the Board voted 5-0 to 1) approve the updated
contract with Atrium Health and 2) authorize the County Manager to sign the contract.
Strategic Planning Grants
Chairman Frye asked County Manager Zeb holden to address Strategic Planning Grants.
Mr. Holden stated that these applications were treated more like a grant for the first time. Money
from the lease of the landfill from Waste Managementhas been committed for these funds. After
speaking with each Commissioner, there wasn’t a consensus about how to award the grants. He
recommended that the Board table this item until April for more review of the applications.
Chairman Frye said he agreed that more time was needed for these decisions.
Commissioner Haywoodcommented that the Board members have been busy at conferences
and meetings in the last month. This is a new process and will likely be different next year. She
said the Board wants to make the right choices about awarding these funds.
Commissioner Allen stated the funds didn’t have to go to community funding. However, it is
something that the Board should do.
Chairman Frye stated that the County already has these funds. Some of this money was put back
into the fund because it went unused on certain projects.
Commissioner Haywood said the applicants have been grateful for the opportunity to apply for
these funds.
On motion of Kidd, seconded by Rivenbark, the Board voted 5-0 to table this item until the April
meeting.
Property Auction Sale
Aimee Scotton, Associate County Attorney, said last month, the Board authorized an auction
sale of a property that the county acquired in a tax foreclosure in accordance with North Carolina
General Statutes §153A-176 and §160A-270. The Board adopted a resolution authorizing the
property to be sold by an auction to be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 17, 2025.
The auction was held as planned. There was one bidder, Byron Tompkins, who submitted a bid
of $750. Mr. Tompkins provided the required 5% deposit. She presented $750 as the high bid.
On motion by Allen, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 5-0 to adopt the Resolution Accepting
High Bid for Property, as follows:
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING HIGH BID FOR PROPERTY
3/10/25
WHEREAS, Randolph County conducted an auction sale of the parcel described in
Attachment A at 10:00 a.m. on February 17, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the auction sale resulted in a high bid of $750.00 submitted by Byron
Tompkins.
THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
RESOLVES THAT:
The high bid of $750.00 submitted by Byron Tompkins is accepted for the parcel
described in Attachment A, and the appropriate County officials shall execute the
documents necessary to transfer title to the property.
ATTACHMENT A for High Bid Resolution
That parcel identified by Parcel Identification Number 7707-94-7418 acquired by the
County by deed recorded in Deed Book 2802, Page 2067 of the Randolph County Registry
and more particularly described as follows:
All of lots 318, 319, 320 and 321 of Gray Oaks Development, as per plat and survey
thereof on file in Plat Book 11 at Page 78, Randolph County Registry.
Also known as 0 Link Court Trinity, NC 37370.
SUBJECT TO ANY AND ALL EASEMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS OF RECORD. SAVE
AND EXCEPT ANY AND ALL CONVEYANCES OF RECORD.
County Manager’s Update
County Manager Zeb Holden stated that the play A Few Good Men was being held in the
Historic Courthouse and he recommended seeing it. Also the five Chambers of Commercewere
th
co-hosting a Business After Hours they are calling “Power of Five” being held on April 9, 5:30
p.m. at Holly Ridge Golf Links. He also congratulated Public Library Director Ross Holt and the
America 250 Committee for being awarded a $10,000 grant.
Commissioner’s Updates
Chairman Frye said that he and Commissioner Allen had attended the NACo Legislative
Conference. They also met with Representative Richard Hudson in his Washington DC office
while they were there.
Commissioner Allen introduced Caleb Sherin, a Boy Scout and the son of former Cooperative
Extension Director Kenny Sherin. He was attending a public meeting as part of earning a Scouting
Merit Badge.
Closed Session
At 6:52 p.m., on motion of Allen, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 5-0 to go into Closed
Session pursuant to {NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6)}to consider the qualifications, competence,
performance, character, fitness, and conditions of appointment of an individual public officer or
employee.
Regular Session
At 8:02 p.m., on motion of Allen, seconded by Rivenbark, the Board voted 5-0 to resume the
regular session.
3/10/25
Adjournment
At 8:03, on motion of Allen, seconded by Rivenbark, the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn.
________________________________ ________________________________
Darrell Frye, Chairman Kenny Kidd
_________________________________________________________________
David Allen Hope Haywood
________________________________ _________________________________
Lester Rivenbark Dana Crisco, Clerk to the Board
3/10/25
Attachment A
RULESOF
PROCEDURE FOR
THE
RANDOLPHCOUNTYBOARDOFCOMMISSIONERS
Rule1.ApplicabilityofRules(pursuanttoNCGSl53A-41)
A.These rules apply to all meetings of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners atwhich
the Board is empowered toexercise any of theexecutive, administrative or legislative powers
conferred on it by law.
B.These rules may be amended at any regular meeting or at any properly called special meeting
that includes amendment of the rules as one of thestated purposes ofthe meeting. Adoption of
these rules or an amendment thereof shall require an affirmative vote equal to a quorum.
Rule2.OpenMeetings
A.The public policy of North Carolina and of Randolph County is that thehearings,deliberations,
and actions ofthis Board and itscommittees beconducted openly, and any person may attend.
B.An official meeting ofthe Board is defined as any gathering together at any time or place or
thesimultaneous communicationbyconference telephone orother electronic means ofa
majority of Boardmembersforthepurposeofconductinghearings,participatingin
deliberations,or voting uponor otherwise transacting public business within the jurisdiction,
real or apparent, of theBoard.
Rule3.ClosedSessions
A.Notwithstanding theprovisions ofRule2,theBoard may holdaclosed session and exclude the
public,butonly for those purposes set out inNorthCarolina General Statute 143-318.11(a),
asfollows:
1.To prevent the disclosure ofinformation thatisprivileged orconfidential pursuant tothe
lawofthisstateor of the UnitedStates, or notconsidered a public recordwithin the
meaningofChapter132oftheGeneralStatutes.NCGS143-318.ll(a)(l)
2.To consult with the County Attorney or another attorney employed or retained by the
County inorder to preserve theattorney-clientprivilege. The public body mayconsider
and give instructions to an attorney concerning the handling or settlement of a claim,
judicial action,mediation, arbitration, or administrative procedure. NCGS143-
318.11(a)(3)
3.To discuss matters relating tothelocation or expansion of industries or other businesses
in the county. NCGS143-318.1l(a)(4)
4. To establish, or to instruct staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be
taken by or on behalf of the Commissioners in negotiating. the price and other
material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property
by purchase, option, exchange, or lease. NCGS 143-318.1 l(a)(S)(i)
5. To establish, or to instruct staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be
taken by or on behalf of the Commissioners in negotiating the amount of
compensation and other material terms of an employment contract or proposed
employment contract. NCGS 143- 318.11(a)(S)(ii)
6. To consider the initial employment or appointment of an individual to any office or
position, other than a vacancy in the Board of County Commissioners or any other
public body, and to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character,
and fitness of any public officer or employee. NCGS 143-318.1 l(a)(6)
7. To hear or investigate a charge, complaint or grievance by or against an individual
public officer or employee. Final action regarding such complaint, charge, or
grievance shall be taken in open session. NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6)
8. To plan, conduct, or hear reports concerning investigations of alleged criminal
misconduct. NCGS 143-318.11(a)(7)
9. To discuss and take action regarding plans to protect public safety as it relates to
existing or potential terrorist activity and to receive briefings by staff members, legal
counsel, or law enforcement or emergency service officials concerning actions taken
or to be taken to respond to such activity. NCGS 143-318.1 l(a)(9)
B. The Board may go into closed session only upon motion made and adopted at an open
meeting. This motion must cite one or more of the permissible purposes listed in Rule 3.A.
In addition, a motion to go into closed session pursuant to Rule 3.A.l. must state the name
or citation of the law that renders the information to be discussed privileged or
confidential, and a motion to go into closed session pursuant to Rule 3.A.2. must identify
the parties in each existing lawsuit, if any, concerning which the board expects to receive
advice during the closed session.
C. Unless the motion provides otherwise, the County Manager, County Attorney, Staff
Attorney, Clerk to the Board, and any necessary staff or agents may attend the closed
session. No other person shall attend the closed session unless specifically invited by
majority vote of the Board.
D. In the absence of the Clerk, the Board shall designate a secretary to record a general
account of the session, any action taken, and who was present. The minutes shall also
reflect that the person who took the minutes acted as secretary and shall sign the minutes
of the closed session as "acting secretary."
E. The Board shall conclude a closed session and return to open session when the presiding
officer declares the closed session to be ended.
Rule 4. Regular Meetings (Time and Place)
A. The Board of County Commissioners shall adopt its regular meeting schedule for the
upcoming calendar year at its preceding October regular meeting. Regular meetings shall be
held in the 1909 Historic Courthouse Meeting Room, 145 Worth St., Asheboro, NC, and shall
begin at 6:00 p.m.
B. The Board may change the place or time of a particular regular meeting or of all regular meetings
within a specified period by resolution adopted, posted, and noticed at least seven days before
the change takes effect. Such resolution shall be filed with the Clerk to the Board and posted at
or near the regular meeting place, official County bulletin board, and copies shall be sent to all
persons who have, in writing, requested notice of special meetings of the Board.
Rule 5. Special, Emergency, and Informal Meetings
A. The Chair or a majority of Board members may at any time call a special meeting of the Board
by signing a notice stating the time and place of the meeting and the subjects to be considered.
At least forty-eight hours before the meeting, the notice shall be posted on the principal bulletin
board of the County and delivered to all Board members and posted on the County website. Only
items of business specified in the notice may be transacted at a special meeting called in this
manner, unless all members are present or those not present have signed waivers.
B. A special meeting may also be scheduled by vote of the Board in open session during another
duly called meeting. The motion calling for the special meeting shall specify its time, place,
and purpose. At least forty-eight hours before the meeting, the notice shall be posted on the
principal bulletin board of the County and delivered to all Board members not present at the
meeting at which the special meeting was called. Only items of business specified in the
motion calling for the special meeting may be transacted at a special meeting called in this
manner unless all members are present and the Board determines in good faith at the meeting
that it is essential to discuss or act on the additional item immediately.
C. The Chair or a majority of Board members may at any time call an emergency meeting of
the Board by signing a written notice stating the time and place of the meeting and the subjects
to be considered. Written or oral notice of the meeting shall be given to each Board member
and to each news organization that has filed a written emergency meeting notice request with
the Clerk to the Board, and whose request includes that organization's telephone number.
Only business connected with the emergency may be considered at an emergency meeting.
D. The Board may schedule work sessions, committee meetings, or other informal meetings of
the Board or of a majority of its members at such times and concerning such subjects as may
be established by the Board. Work sessions and other informal official meetings not held
regularly are subject to the same notice requirements as special Board meetings.
Rule 6. Organizational Meetings
A.Onthe dateof the regular meeting in December, the newly elected members shall takeand
subscribe the oath of office as the first order of new business. As the second order of new
business, the Board shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman. The swearing-in and election
may be preceded by the completion of pending items of unfinished business by the incumbent
board.
B. The outgoing chairman shall preside over the meeting until a new chairman is elected. If the
outgoing chairman is not present, the County Manager or Clerk to the Board shall preside until
a new chairman is elected.
Rule 7. Location of Meetings
A. Regular meetings shall be held within the boundaries of Randolph County.
B. A joint meeting with the governing board of any other political subdivision of this or any other
state may be held within the boundaries of either subdivision as may be specified in the call of
the meeting. At any such joint meeting, this Board reserves the right to vote separately on all
matters coming before the joint meeting.
C. A special meeting called during a session of the General Assembly for considering and
acting on an order or resolution requesting members of the General Assembly representing all
or any portion of Randolph County to support or oppose any bill pending in the General
Assembly or proposed for introduction therein may be held in Raleigh or other such place as
stated in the call of the meeting.
D. A meeting may be held within or outside the boundaries of Randolph County in connection
with a retreat, forum, or similar gathering solely for the purpose of providing members of the
Board with general information relating to the performance of their public duties.
E. A meeting may be held within or outside the boundaries of Randolph County while in
attendance at a convention, association meeting, or similar gathering solely to discuss or
deliberate the Board's position concerning convention resolutions, elections of association
officers, and similar issues that are not legally binding upon the Board or its constituents.
Rule 8. Agenda
A. The Clerk to the Board shall prepare the agenda for each meeting. Any Board member may,
by a timely request, have an item placed on the agenda.
B. The agenda packet shall include as much supporting documentation and background
information as is available and feasible to reproduce, including any proposed ordinances,
resolutions, policies, etc., or any proposed amendments thereof. A copy of the agenda packet
shall be delivered to each Board member at least 2 working days before the meeting.
Documents in the agenda packet, if not previously available for public inspection, shall
become so when packets have been received by each Board member.
C. The Board may, by general consent, add items to or remove items from the proposed
agenda.
D. Routine agenda items may be designated under a section of the agenda called "consent agenda"
and will be approved in one motion without discussion. Upon request by any one Board
member, any item listed under the consent agenda shall be removed from the consent agenda
and considered separately.
E. Items shall be placed on the agenda according to the order of business. Without objection, the
Chairman may call items in any order most convenient for the dispatch of business.
Rule 9. Presiding Officer
A. The Chairman shall preside at all Board meetings if he is present. If the Chairman is absent,
the Vice-Chairman shall preside. If both the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman are absent,
another member designated by vote of the present Board members shall preside.
B. The presiding officer shall have the following powers:
1. To rule on points of parliamentary procedure, including the right to rule out of order any
motion offered for patently obstructive or dilatory purposes;
2. To determine whether a speaker has gone beyond reasonable standards of courtesy in his
or her remarks and to entertain and rule on objections from other members on this ground;
3. To call a brief recess at any time;
4. To adjourn in an emergency.
C. A decision by the presiding officer under any of the first three powers listed above may be
appealed to the Board upon motion of any member. Such a motion is in order immediately
after a decision under those powers is announced and at no other time. The member making
the motion need not be recognized by the presiding officer, and the motion, if timely made,
may not be ruled out of order.
Rule 10. Action by the Board
A. The Board shall proceed by motion. Any member, including the Chairman, may make a
motion. If two or more Commissioners speak at the same time to make a motion (or second),
the Chairman shall determine, for purposes of recording action for the minutes, which name
the Clerk shall use.
B. A motion shall require a second in order to be considered by the Board.
C. A substantive motion is out of order while another substantive motion is pending.
D. A motion shall be adopted by a majority of the votes cast, a quorum being present, unless
otherwise required by the laws of North Carolina. A majority is more than half. A quorum is
a majority of the actual membership of the Board, including any vacant seats (NCGS 153A-
43). A member who has withdrawn from a meeting without being excused by majority vote of
the remaining members present shall be counted as present for purposes of determining
whether or not a quorum is present.
E. The Chairman or the Clerk shall state the motion and then open the floor to debate. The
Chairman shall preside over the debate according to the following general principles:
1. The maker of the motion is entitled to speak first;
2. A member who has not spoken on the issue shall be recognized before someone who has
already spoken;
3. To the extent possible, the debate shall alternate between proponents and opponents of the
measure.
F. To the extent permitted by law, the Board may ratify actions taken on its behalf but without
its prior approval. A motion to ratify is a substantive motion.
G. In addition to substantive proposals, only the following procedural motions, and no others,
shall be in order. Unless otherwise noted, each motion is debatable, may be amended, and
requires a majority vote for adoption. Procedural motions are in order while a substantive
motion is pending and at other times, except as otherwise noted. In order of priority (if
applicable), the procedural motions are
1. To appeal a procedural ruling of the presiding officer. (See Rule 9.C.)
2. To adjourn. The motion may be made only at the conclusion of action on a pending matter;
it may not interrupt deliberation of a pending matter.
3. To take a brief recess.
4. To call to follow the agenda. The motion must be made at the first reasonable
opportunity or it is waived.
5. To suspend the rules. The motion requires a vote equal to a majority of the entire
membership of the Board.
6. To divide a complex motion and consider it by paragraph. This motion is in order
whenever a member wishes to consider and vote on subparts of a complex motion
separately.
7. To defer consideration. The Board may defer a substantive motion for later
consideration at an unspecified time. A substantive motion that has been deferred
expires 100 days thereafter unless a motion to revive consideration is adopted.
8. Motion for the previous question. This motion is not in order until there have been at
least 15 minutes of debate and every member has had an opportunity to speak once.
9. To postpone to a certain time or day.
10. To refer a motion to a committee. The Board may vote to refer a substantive motion to
a committee for its study and recommendations. Sixty days or more after a substantive
motion has been referred to a committee, the introducer of the substantive motion may
compel consideration of the measure by the entire Board, whether or not the committee
has reported the matter to the Board.
11. To amend.
a. An amendment to a motion must be pertinent to the subject matter of the motion.
An amendment is improper if adoption of the motion with that amendment added
would have the same effect as rejection of the original motion. A proposal to
substitute completely different wording for a motion or an amendment shall be
treated as a motion to amend.
b. A motion may be amended, and that amendment may be amended, but no further
amendments may be made until the last-offered amendment is disposed of by a
vote.
c. Any amendment to a proposed policy, ordinance, resolution, etc. that is lengthy or
complex shall be reduced to writing before the vote on the amendment.
12. To revive consideration. This motion is in order at any time within 100 days of a vote
deferring consideration.
13. To reconsider. The Board may vote to reconsider its action on a matter. The motion to
do so must be made by a member who voted with the prevailing side (the majority,
except in the case of a tie; in that case the "nos" prevail) and only at the meeting during
which the original vote was taken, including any continuation of that meeting through
recess to a time and place certain. The motion cannot interrupt deliberation on a
pending matter but is in order at any time before final adjournment of the meeting. (If
a member wishes to reverse an action taken at a previous meeting, he generally may
make a new motion having the opposite effect of the prior action.)
H. A motion may be withdrawn by the introducer at any time before it is amended or before
the Chairman puts the motion to a vote, whichever occurs first.
I. Every member must vote unless excused by the remaining members of the Board. A
member who wishes to be excused from voting shall so inform the Chairman, who shall
take a vote of the remaining members. No member shall be excused from voting except in
cases involving conflicts of interest, as defined by the Board or by law, or the member's
official conduct, as defined by the Board. In all other cases, a failure to vote by a member
who is physically present in the meeting, or who has withdrawn without being excused by
a majority vote of the remaining members present, shall be recorded as an affirmative vote.
Rule 11. Public Hearings
A. At the time appointed for the hearing, the presiding officer shall call the hearing to order
and then preside over it.
B. Anyone wishing to speak during a public hearing must first provide his name and address
to the Clerk.
C. When the allotted time expires, or earlier, if no one wishes to speak who has not done so,
the presiding officer shall declare the hearing ended.
D. The board may continue a public hearing without further advertisement. If a public hearing
is set for a given date and a quorum of the board is not then present, the board shall
continue the hearing without further advertisement until its next regular meeting, pursuant
to NCGS 153A-52.
Rule 12. Public Comment Period
The board of commissioners shall provide a public comment period at its regular business
meeting each month. On August 1, 2005, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners
adopted the following rules of procedure for public comment periods:
The public comment period will be limited to 15 minutes at the beginning of the meeting; if
more time is required, it will be at the discretion of the Board. Each speaker must give his/her
name, both orally and in writing, before speaking. Speakers will be limited to three minutes.
Comments are to be directed to the Board as a whole and not to one individual commissioner.
Response, discussion or action concerning issues raised during the public input session will
be at the discretion of the Board. Speakers will be courteous in their language and
presentation. Speakers should not discuss matters which concern the candidacy of any person
seeking public office or matters in current or anticipated litigation.
Rule 13. Minutes
A. The exact wording of each motion and the results of each vote shall be recorded in the
minutes, and on the request of any member of the Board, the entire Board shall be polled by
name on any vote.
B. Minutes and general accounts of closed sessions shall be considered sealed
automatically. Closed session records shall be unsealed by Board action if and when the
closed session's purpose would no longer be frustrated by making these records public.
These Rules of Procedure shall become effective March 10, 2025. The previous Board of
Commissioners Rules of Procedure last amended on November 7, 2011 are hereby repealed and
replaced with this document.
Upon motion of , seconded by , the foregoing Board of Commissioners Rules of Procedure were
passed by the following vote:
Ayes:5 Nays:0 Abstentions:0
I, Dana Crisco, Clerk of the Board of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, do hereby
certify that the foregoing ordinance was duly adopted by the governing body of Randolph County
at a regular meeting thereof, a quorum being present.
This the 10th day of March 2025.
Clerk
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
801:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A.A UTHORITYAND E NACTMENT
The North CarolinaGeneral Assemblyhas, in Chapter 153A, Article 6,
Section 121, General Ordinance Making Power; and in Chapter 143, Article
21, Waterand Air Resources, authorized Randolph County to adopt
regulations designed to promote public health, safety, and general welfare
of its citizenry.In addition, NCGS § 160D-926 specifically authorized
Randolph County to enact and enforce water supply watershed
management regulations. The Randolph County Board of Commissioners
does hereby ordain and enact into law the following articles as the Randolph
County Watershed Protection Ordinance.
B.J URISDICTION
The provisions of this Randolph County Watershed Protection Ordinance
shall apply within the areas designated as a Water Supply Watershed by
the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission and shall be
defined and established on a water supply watershed protection map of
Randolph County, North Carolina,which is adopted simultaneously
herewith. These provisions shall be applied throughout Randolph County
except in areas subject to the municipal planning and development
regulation jurisdiction.The watershed map and all explanatory matter
contained thereon accompany and are hereby made part of this Randolph
County Watershed Protection Ordinance.This Ordinance shall be
permanently kept on file in the office of the Clerk to the Randolph County
Board of Commissioners.
C.E XCEPTIONS TO A PPLICABILITY
Nothingcontained herein shall repeal, modify, or amend any Federal or
State law or regulation, or any ordinance or regulation pertaining thereto
except any ordinance which these regulations specifically replace; nor shall
any provision of this Ordinance amend, modify, or restrict any provisions of
the Code of Ordinances of Randolph County; however, the adoption of this
Ordinance shall and does amend allordinances, resolutions, and
regulations in effect in Randolph Countyat the time of the adoption of this
Ordinance that may be construed to impair or reduce the effectiveness of
this Ordinance or to conflict with any of its provisions.
It is not intended that these regulations interfere with any easement,
covenants,or other agreements between parties.However, if the provisions
of these regulations impose greater restrictions or higher standards for the
use of a building or land, then the provisions of these regulations shall
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 321
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
control.
Existing development, as defined in this Ordinance, is not subject to the
requirements of this Ordinance.
Expansions to existing development must meet the requirements of this
Ordinance, except expansions to single-family residential development
unless the expansion is a part of the common plan of development. In an
expansion, the built-upon area of the existing developmentis not required
to be included in the density calculations. Where there is a net increase of
built-upon area, only the area of net increase is subject to this Ordinance.
Where existing development is being replaced with a new built-upon area,
and there is a net increase of built-upon area, only areas of the net increase
shall be subject to this Ordinance.
If a nonconforming lot of record is not contiguous to any other lot owned by
the same party, then that lot of record shall not be subject to the
development restrictions of this Ordinanceif it is developed for single-family
residential purposes.Randolph County requires the combination of
contiguous nonconforming lots of records owned by the same party to
establish a lot or lots that meet requirements in Section 802 of this
Ordinance.
Any lot or parcel created as part of a family subdivision after the effective
date of these rules shall be exempt from these rules if it is developed for
one single-family detached residence and if it is exempt from local
subdivision regulation.
Any lot or parcel created as part of any other type of subdivision,that is
exempt from the Randolph County Subdivision Ordinance shall be subject
to the land use requirements (including impervious surface requirements)
of these rules, except that such a lot or parcel must meet the minimum buffer
requirements to the maximum extent practicable.
An applicant may exceed the density limits in Article 803 if all of the following
circumstances apply:
The property was developed before the effective date of the
Randolph County Watershed Protection Ordinance;
The property has not been combined with additional lots after
January 1, 2021;
The property has not been a participant in a density averaging
transaction under NCGS § 143-214.5(d2);
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 322
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
The current use of the property is nonresidential;
In the sole discretion, and at the voluntary election, of the
property owner, the stormwater from all of the existing and
new built-upon area of the property is treated under all
applicable Randolph County, State, and Federal laws and
regulations; and
The remaining vegetated buffer on the property is preserved
per the requirements of this Ordinance.
D.R EPEAL OF E XISTING W ATERSHED O RDINANCE
This Ordinancein part carries forward by re-enactment, some of the
Randolph County Watershed Protection Ordinance adopted by the
Randolph County Board of Commissionerson October 7, 1997, andas
amended, and it is not the intention to repeal but rather to re-enact and
continue in force such existing provisions so that all rights and liabilities that
have accrued thereunder are preserved and may be enforced.All provisions
of the Randolph County Watershed Ordinance which are not re-enacted
herein are hereby repealed.All suits at law or in equity and/or all
prosecutions resulting from the violation of any ordinance provisions
heretofore in effect, which are now pending in any court of this stateor of
the United States, shall not be abated or abandonedby reasonbecauseof
the adoption of this Ordinance, but shall be prosecuted to their finality the
same as if this Ordinancehad not been adopted; and all violations of the
existing Randolph County Watershed Protection Ordinance,prosecutions
for which have not yet been instituted, may be hereafter filed and
prosecuted; and nothing in this Ordinanceshall be so construed as to
abandon, abate or dismiss any litigation or prosecution now pending and/or
which may heretofore have been instituted or prosecuted.
1
E.C RIMINAL P ENALTIES
Any person violating any provisions of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a
violation of this Ordinance and be subject to Article 400, Section 405. The
maximum fine for each offense shall not exceed $500.00. Each day that the
violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
F.R EMEDIES
If any subdivision, development,and/or land use is found to violatethis
Ordinance, the Randolph CountyBoardof Commissionersmay, in addition
to all other remedies available either in law or in equity, institute a civil
penaltyof$500.00, action or proceedings to restrain, correct, or abate the
violation; to prevent the occupancy of the building, structure, or land; or to
prevent any illegal act, conduct, business, or use in or about the premises.
1
Water quality rules are found in NCGS 143 so it is possible that additional criminal penalties may apply.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 323
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
Also, the North CarolinaEnvironmental Management Commission may
assess civil penalties underNCGS 143-215.6(a).Each day that the violation
continues shall constitute a separate offense.
If the Watershed Administrator finds that any of the provisions of this
Ordinanceare being violated, he shall notify in writing the person
responsible for such violation, indicating the nature of the violation, and
ordering the action necessary to correct it.He shall order the discontinuance
of the illegal use of land, buildings,or structures; removal of illegal buildings
or structures, or additions, alterations,or structural changes thereto;
discontinuance of any illegal work being done; or shall take any action
authorized by this Ordinanceto ensure compliance with or to prevent
violation of its provisions.If a ruling of the Watershed Administrator is
questioned, the aggrieved party or parties may appeal such ruling to the
Watershed Review Board.
G.S EVERABILITY
Should any section or provision of this Ordinance be declared invalid or
unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the declaration shall
not affect the validity of this Ordinance as a whole or any part thereof that
is not specifically declared to be invalid or unconstitutional.
H.E FFECTIVE D ATE
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force on the date of adoption of
the Randolph County Unified Development Ordinance,March 10, 2025.
802.S UBDIVISION R EGULATIONS
A.G ENERAL P ROVISIONS
No subdivision plat of land within the Water Supply Watershed shall be filed
or recorded by the Randolph County Register of Deeds until it has been
approved with the provisions of this Article. Likewise, the Randolph County
Clerk of Superior Court shall not order or direct the recording of a plat if the
recording of such plat would conflict with this Article.
The approval of a plat does not constitute or affect the acceptance by
Randolph County or the public of the dedication of any street or other
ground, easement, right-of-way, public utility line, or other public facility
shown on the plat and shall not be construed to do so.
All subdivisions shall conform to the mapping requirements contained in
NCGS 47-30.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 324
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
All subdivisions of land within the jurisdiction of Randolph County after the
effective date of this Ordinance shall require a plat to be prepared,
approved, and recorded under this Ordinance.
B.S UBDIVISION A PPLICATION AND R EVIEW P ROCEDURES
All proposed subdivisions shall be reviewed beforerecording with the
Randolph County Register of Deeds by submitting a vicinity map to the
Watershed Administrator to determine whetherthe property is located
within the designated Water Supply Watershed.Subdivisions that are not
within the designated watershed area shall not be subject to the provisions
of this Ordinanceand may be recorded provided the Watershed
Administrator initials the vicinity map. Subdivisions within a WS-IV
watershed are subject to the provisions of this Ordinanceonly when an
erosion and sedimentation plan is required under the provisions of State
law or an approved local programunless another stormwater program
applies.Subdivisions within the designated watershed area shall comply
with the provisions of this Ordinanceand all other state and local
requirements that may apply.
Subdivision applications shall be filed with the Watershed Administrator.
The application shall include a completed application form, two copies of
the plat, a description of the proposed method of providing stormwater
drainage,and supporting documentation deemed necessary by the
Watershed Administrator or the Watershed Review Board.
The Watershed Administrator shall review the completed application and
shall either approve, approve conditionally, or disapprove each application.
The WatershedAdministrator shall take final action within forty-five days of
submissionoftheapplication.The Watershed Administrator or the Board
may provide public agencies an opportunity to review and make
recommendations. However, the failure of the agencies to submit their
comments and recommendations shall not delay action within the
prescribed time limit.Said public agencies may include, but are not limited
to, the following:
(1)The NCDOT district highway engineer concerningproposed
streets and highways;
(2)The director of Randolph County Public Healthconcerningthe
proposed private water system or sewer systems normally
approved by Randolph County PublicHealth;
(3)The state Division of Water Resourcesconcerningproposed
sewersystems normally approved by the Division;
(4)The State Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 325
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
concerning engineered stormwater controls or stormwater
management in general;
(5)Randolph County for subdivisions located in the
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction of a municipality;
(6)Local government entities responsible for proposed sewer
and/or water systems; or
(7)Any other agency or official designated by the Watershed
Administrator or Watershed Review Board.
If the Watershed Administrator approves the application, such approval
shall be indicated on both copies of the plat by the following certificate and
signed by the WatershedAdministrator:
Certificate of Approval for Recording
I certify that the plat shown herein complies with the Randolph County
Watershed Protection Ordinance and is approved by the Randolph County
Watershed Review Board for recording in the Randolph County Register of
Deeds Office.
________________________________________
DateWatershed Administrator
NOTE: This property is located within a Public Water Supply
Watershed. Development restrictions may apply.
If the Watershed Administrator disapproves or approves conditionally the
application, the reasons for such action shall be stated in writing for the
applicant. The subdivider may make changes and submit a revised plan
which shall constitute a separate request for review.
As a condition for approval, all subdivision plats shall comply with the
requirements for recording withthe Randolph CountyRegister of Deeds.
The plat shall be recorded within thirty days of approval. The Subdivider
shall provide the Watershed Administrator with evidence the plat has been
recorded with the Randolph County Register of Deeds within five working
daysof recordation.
C.S UBDIVISION S TANDARDS AND R EQUIRED I MPROVEMENTS
All lots shall provide adequate building space withthe development
standards contained in Article 803.Lots thatare smaller than the minimum
required for residential lots may be developed using built-upon area criteria
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 326
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
underArticle 803.
To calculatethe built-upon area, the total project area shall include the total
acreage in the tract on which the project is to be developed.
The application shall, where required, be accompanied by the
Sedimentation and Erosion Control Plan approved by the North Carolina
Division of Land Quality administering a Sedimentation and Erosion Control
Ordinance approved by the North Carolina Division of Energy, Mineral and
Land Resources.
Roads constructed in critical areas and watershed vegetated conveyance
areas. Where possible, roads should be located outside of critical areas and
watershed vegetated conveyance areas.Roads constructed within these
areas shall be designed and constructed to minimize their impact on water
quality.
D.C ONSTRUCTION P ROCEDURES
No construction or installation of improvements shall commence in a
proposed subdivision until a subdivision plat has been approved.
No building or other permits shall be issued for the erection of a structure
on any lot not onrecord at the time of adoption of this Ordinance until all
requirements of this Ordinance have been met.The subdivider, before
commencing any work within the subdivision, shall planwith the Watershed
Administrator to provide for adequate inspection.
E.P ENALTIES FOR T RANSFERRING L OTS IN U NAPPROVED S UBDIVISIONS
Any person who, being the owner or agent of the owner of any land located
within the jurisdiction ofRandolph County, thereafter subdivides his land in
violation of this Ordinanceor transfers or sells land by reference to,the
exhibition of, or any other use of a plat showing a subdivision of the land
before the plat has been properly approved under this Ordinanceand
recorded in the Randolph County Register of Deeds, shall be guilty of
violation of this Ordinance and be subject to Article 400, Section 405. The
description by metes and bounds in the instrument of transfer or other
document used in the process of selling or transferring land shall not exempt
the transaction from this penalty. Randolph Countymay bring an action for
an injunction of any illegal subdivision, transfer, conveyance, or sale of land,
and the court shall, upon appropriate findings, issue an injunction and order
requiring the offending party to comply with this Ordinance.
F.S TORM W ATER D RAINAGE F ACILITIES
The application shall be accompanied by a description of the proposed
method of providing stormwater drainage. The subdivider shall provide a
drainage system that diverts stormwater runoff away from surface waters,
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 327
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
incorporate Storm Water Control Measures to minimize water quality
impacts,and meet Randolph County requirements.
803:E STABLISHMENT OF W ATERSHED A REAS
The purpose of this Article is to list and describe the watershed areas herein adopted.
For purposes of this Ordinance, Randolph County is hereby divided into the following
areas as appropriate.
WatershedClassificationWatershed Type
WS-I Watershed One
WS-II-CA Watershed Two Critical Area
WS-II-BW Watershed Two WatershedArea
WS-III-CA Watershed Three Critical Area
WS-III-BW Watershed Three WatershedArea
WS-IV-CA Watershed Four Critical Area
WS-IV-PA Watershed Four ProtectedArea
WS-V Watershed Five
Table 23: Watershed Area Table
For this Ordinance, the following watershed fallsinto the appropriate classification.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 328
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
C LASSIFICATION W ATERSHED
WS-I n/a
Back Creek
WS-II-CA UT to Cedar Fork
Creek
Back Creek
WS-II-BW UT to CedarFork
Creek
Uwharrie River (Lake
Reese)
WS-III-CA
Polecat Creek
Sandy Creek
Bear Creek(CPF)
Polecat Creek
Rocky River
WS-III-BW
Sandy Creek
Uwharrie River (Lake
Reese)
Deep River
WS-IV-CA
(Randleman Lake)
Badin Lake
Big Alamance Lake
WS-IV-PA
Deep River
(Randleman Lake)
WS-V n/a
Table 24: Randolph County Watershed Classifications
804:W ATERSHED A REAS A LLOWED AND N ON-A LLOWED U SES
The following table lists various allowed and non-allowed uses in the watershed areas of
Randolph County. Note that if a use is listed as allowed does not mean that the Randolph
County Zoning Ordinance will allow the use without required public hearings. A
checkmark indicates that the use is allowed and if the use is blank, the use is not allowed.
PA
CA
CA
BW
BW
A CTIVITY/U SE
WS-I
WS-V
WS-IIA
WS-II
WS-III
WS-IV
WS-IV
WS-III
1
Agriculture
2
Animal Operations
3
Groundwater remediation project discharges
4
Industrial waste
New industrial connections and expansions to existing
municipal discharge with pretreatment program pursuant to
15A NCA 02H .0904
New landfills
New NPDES Individual Permit domestic treated wastewater
discharge
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 329
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
PA
CA
CA
BW
BW
A CTIVITY/U SE
WS-I
WS-V
WS-IIA
WS-II
WS-III
WS-IV
WS-IV
WS-III
New NPDES Individual Permit industrial treated wastewater
discharge
New permitted petroleum-contaminated soil sites
New permitted residual land application
5
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Non-process industrial waste
6, 7
Non-residential Development
8
NPDES General or Individual Stormwater discharges
NPDES General Permit Wastewater discharges pursuant to
8
15A NCAC 02H .0127
8
NPDES Individual Permit trout farm discharges
4
Other wastes
5
Residential Development
4
Sewage
9
Silviculture
Table 25: Allowed and Non-Allowed Uses
Notes to Allowed and Non-Allowed Uses
1
In WS-I watershed and Critical Areas of WS-II, WS-III, and WS-IV watersheds,
agricultural activities conducted after January 1, 1993, shall maintain a minimum 10-foot
vegetated setback or equivalent control as determined by SWCC along all perennial
waters indicated on more recentversions of USGS 1:24,000 (7.5 minute) topographic
maps or as determined by Randolph County studies.
2
Deemed permitted, as defined in 15ANCAC 02T .0103 and permitted under 15ANCAC
2H .0217.
3
Where no other practical alternative exists.
4
Not allowed if activity(ies) has/hurthuman health.
5
NPS pollution shall not have an adverse impact, as defined in 15A NCAC 02H .1002,
anduse as a water supply or any other designated use.
6
See density requirements in 15A NCAC 02B .0624.
7
See different allowed and not allowed in this table.
8
Permitted pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0104.
9
Subject to Forest Practice Guidelines Related to Water Quality (02 NCAC 60C .0100 to
.0209) effective April 1, 2018.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 330
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
805:W ATERSHED A REAS:D ENSITY AND B UILT-U PON L IMITS
A.P ROJECT D ENSITY
The following maximum allowable project densities and minimum lot sizes
shall apply to a project according to the classification of the water supply
watershed where it is located, its relative location in the watershed, its
project density, and the type of development:
DENSITY AND BUILT-UPON LIMITS
Maximum Allowable Project Density or Minimum
Lot Size
High-Density
Water Supply Location in the Low-Density Development
Development
ClassificationWatershed
Single-family Non-residential
detached and all other All types
residentialresidential
Not Applicable: Watershed shall remain underdeveloped except for the
following uses when they cannot be avoided: power transmission lines,
restricted access roads, and structures associated with water withdrawal,
WS-I
treatment, and distribution of the WS-1 Water. Built-upon area shall be
designed and located to minimize stormwater runoff impact on receiving
waters.
One dwelling
Sixto twenty-
Critical Areaunit per 80,000 Six percent
fourpercent
sq. ft.
WS-II
One dwelling
Balance of Twelveto thirty
unit per 40,000 Twelve percent
Watershedpercent
sq. ft.
One dwelling
Twelveto thirty
Critical Areaunit per 80,000 Twelve percent
percent
sq. ft.
WS-III
One dwelling
Balance of Twenty-four Twenty-four to
unit per 40,000
Watershedpercentfiftypercent
sq. ft.
One dwelling
Twenty-fourTwenty-four to
Critical Areaunit per 40,000
percentfiftypercent
sq. ft.
Twenty-four
WS-IV
percent or thirty-
One dwelling
six percent Twenty-four to
Protected Areaunit per 80,000
without curb and seventypercent
sq. ft.
gutter street
system
WS-VNot Applicable
Table 26: Density and Built-Upon Limits
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 331
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
806:C ALCULATION OF P ROJECT D ENSITY
The following requirements shall apply to the calculation of project density.
1.Project density shall be calculated as the total built-upon area divided by
the total project area.
2.A project with existing development, as that term is defined in the
Ordinance, may use the calculation method in Sub-item (1) of this item or
may calculate project density as the difference of total built-upon area minus
existing built-upon area divided bythe difference of total project area minus
existing built-upon area.
3.Expansions to existing development shall be subject to 15A NCAC 02B
.0624 except as excluded in 15A NCAC 02B .0622 (1) (d).
4.Where there is a net increase of built-upon area, only the area of the net
increase shall be subject todensity and built-upon area limits.
5.Where existing development is being replaced with a new built-upon area,
and there is a net increase of built-upon area, only the area of the net
increase shall be subject to density and built-upon area limits.
6.The total project area shall exclude the following:
a.Areas below the normal high-waterline (NHWL);and
b.Areas defined as coastal wetlands accordingto 15A NCAC
07H .0205, herein incorporated by reference,including
subsequent amendments and editions, and available at no
cost at http://reports.oah.state.nc.us/ncac/, as measured
landward from the NWHL.
7.Projects under a common plan of development shall be considered as a
single project for purposes of density calculation except that on a case-by-
case basis, Randolph County may allow projects to be considered to have
both high and low-density areas based on one or more of the following
criteria:
a.Natural drainage area boundaries;
b.Variations in land use throughout the project; or
c.Construction phasing.
L OW-D ENSITY P ROJECTS:
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 332
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
In addition to complying with the project density requirements of this Ordinance, low-
density projects shall comply with the following:
1.Stormwater runoff from the project shall be released to vegetative areas as
dispersed flow or transported by vegetated conveyances to the maximum
extent practicable. In determining whether these criteria have been met,
Randolph County shall consider site-specific factors such as topography
and site layout as well as protection of water quality. Vegetated
conveyances shall be maintained in perpetuity to ensure that they function
as designed. Vegetated conveyances that meet the following criteria shall
be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this sub-item:
a.Side slopes shall be no steeper than3:1 (horizontal to vertical)
unless it is demonstrated to Randolph County that the soils
and vegetation will remain stable in perpetuity based on
engineering calculations and on-site soil investigation; and
b.The conveyance shall be designed so that it does not erode
during the peak flow from the ten-year storm event as
demonstrated by engineering calculations.
2.In placeof vegetated conveyances, low-density projects shall have the
option to use curbsand gutterswith outlets to convey stormwater to grassed
swales or vegetated areas. Requirements for these curb outlet systems
shall be as follows:
a.The curb outlets shall be located such that the swale of a
vegetated area can carry the peak flow from the ten-year
storm at a non-erosive velocity;
b.The longitudinal slope of the swale or vegetated area shall not
exceed five percent except where not practical due to physical
constraints. In these cases, devices to slow the rate of runoff
and encourage infiltration to reduce pollutant deliveryshall be
provided;
c.The swaleÓs cross-section shall be trapezoidal with a
minimum bottom width of two feet;
d.The side slopes of the swale or vegetated area shall be no
steeper than 3:1 (horizontal to vertical);
e.The minimum length of the swale or vegetated area shall be
onehundred feet; and
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 333
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
f.Low-density projects may use treatment swales designed
under15A NCAC 02H .1016 insteadof the requirements
specified insub-items (a) through (e) above.
H IGH-D ENSITY P ROJECTS:
Reserved
O PTIONS FOR I MPLEMENTING P ROJECT D ENSITY:
Randolph County has the following options in place of or in addition to the requirements
of the above sections as appropriate.
1.Randolph Countyonlyallowslow-density development in the water supply
watershed areas underthis Ordinance.
2.Randolph County may regulate low-density single-family detached
residential development using the minimum lot size requirements, dwelling
unit per acre requirements, built-upon area percentages, or some
combinations of these.
3.Outside of WS-I watersheds and the critical areas of WS-II, WS-III, and WS-
IV watersheds, Randolph County may regulate new development under the
10/70 Option underthe following requirements:
a.A maximum of ten percent of the land area of a water supply
watershed outside of the critical area and within Randolph
CountyÓs planning jurisdiction may be developed with new
development projects and expansions of an existing
development of up to seventy percent built-upon area.
b.In the water supply watershed classified on or before August
3, 1992, the beginning amount of acreage available under this
option shall be based on Randolph CountyÓs jurisdiction as
delineated on July 1, 1993. In water supply watersheds
classified after August 3,1992, the beginning amount of
acreage available under this option shall be based on
Randolph CountyÓs jurisdiction as delineated on the date the
water supply watershed classification became effective. The
average within the critical area shall not be counted under the
10/70 Option acreage;
c.Projects that are coveredunder the 10/70 Option shall comply
with the low-density requirements outlinedin the Low-Density
Project above;
d.The maximum built-upon area allowed on any given new
development project shall be seventy percent;
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 334
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
e.Randolph County having jurisdiction within a designated
water supply watershed may transfer, in whole or in part, its
right to the 10/70 land area to another local governmentwithin
the same water supply watershed upon submittal of a joint
resolution and approval by the Environmental Management
Commission; and
f.When the water supply watershed is composed of public
lands, such as National Forest land, Randolph County may
count the public land acreage within the watershed outside of
the critical area in calculating the acreage allowed under this
provision.
4.New development shall meet the development requirements on a project-
by-project basis except Randolph County may submit ordinances that use
density or built-upon area criteria averaged throughout Randolph CountyÓs
watershed jurisdiction instead of on a project-by-project basis within the
watershed. Beforeapproval of the ordinance, Randolph County shall
demonstrate to the Environmental Management Commission that the
provisions as averaged meet or exceed the statewide minimum
requirements and that a mechanism exists to ensure the planned
distribution of development potential throughout Randolph CountyÓs
jurisdiction within the watershed.
5.Randolph Countymay administer oversight of future development activities
in single-family detached residential developments that exceed the
applicable low-density requirements by tracking dwelling units rather than
percentage built-upon area, as long as the SCM is sized to capture and treat
runoff from (i) all pervious and built-upon surfaces shown on the
development plan and (ii) any off-site drainage from pervious and built-upon
surfaces, and when an additional safety factor of fifteen percent of the built-
upon area of the project site if figured in.
807:D ENSITY A VERAGINGNG
An applicant may average development density on up to two noncontiguous properties
for purposes of achieving compliance with the water supply watershed development
standards if allthe following circumstances exist:
1.The properties are within the same water supply watershed. If one of the
properties is inthe critical area of the watershed, the critical area property
shall not be developed beyond the applicable density requirements for its
classification.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 335
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
2.Overall project density meets applicable density or stormwater control
requirements under 15A NCAC 2N .0200.
3.Vegetated setbacks on both properties meet the minimum statewide water
supply watershed protection requirements.
4.Built-upon areas are designed and located to minimize stormwater runoff
impact onthe receiving waters, minimize concentrated stormwater flow,
maximize the use of sheet flow through vegetated areas,and maximize the
flow length through vegetated areas.
5.Areas of concentrated density development are inupland areas and, to the
maximum extent practicable, away from surface waters and drainageways.
6.The property or portions of the properties that are not being developed will
remain in a vegetated or natural state and will be managed by a
homeownersÓ association as a common area, conveyed to Randolph
County as a park or greenway, or placed under a permanent conservation
or farmland preservation easement unless it can be demonstrated that
Randolph County can ensure long-term compliance through deed
restrictions and an electronic permitting mechanism. A metes and bounds
description of the area to remain vegetated and limits on use shall be
recorded on the subdivision plat, in homeownersÓ covenants, and on the
individual deed and shall be irrevocable.
7.Development permitted under density averaging and meeting applicable
low-density requirements shall transport stormwater runoff by vegetated
conveyances to the maximum extent practicable.
8.A Special Use Permit or other such permit or certificate shall be obtained
from the Randolph County Watershed Review Board or the Randolph
County Zoning Board of Adjustment to ensure that both properties
considered together meet the standards of this Ordinance and that potential
owners have a record of how the watershed regulations were applied to the
properties.
808:C LUSTER D EVELOPMENT
Cluster development is allowed in all Watershed Areas, except WS-I, under the following
conditions:
1.Minimum lot sizes do not apply to single-family cluster development
projects; however, the total number of lots shall not exceed the number of
lots allowed for single-family detached developments as outlined in Section
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 336
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
805. The density or built-upon area for the project shall not exceed that
allowed for the critical area or protected area, whichever applies.
2.All built-upon areas shall be designed and located to minimize stormwater
runoff impact on the receiving waters and minimize concentrated
stormwater flow, maximize the use of sheet flow through vegetated areas,
and maximize the flow length through vegetated areas.
3.Areas of concentrated density development shall be located in upland areas
and as far as practicable from surface waters and drainage ways.
4.The remainder of the tract shall remain in a vegetated or natural state. The
title to the open space area shall be conveyed to an incorporated
homeownerÓs association for management; or a conservation organization
for preservation in a permanent easement.
5.Cluster developments that meet the applicable low-density requirements
shall transport stormwater runoff by vegetated conveyances to the
maximum extent practicable.
809:V EGETATED S ETBACKS R EQUIRED
A minimum one-hundred-foot vegetative buffer (fifty feet on each side of perennial water)
is required for all new development activities along all perennial waters indicated on the
most recent versions of the USGS 1:24,000 (7.5 minute) scale topographic maps or as
determined by Randolph County studies. Desirable artificial streambank or shoreline
stabilization is permitted.
Where USGS topographic maps do not distinguish between perennial and intermittent
streams, an on-site stream determination may be performed by an individual qualified to
perform such stream determinations.
No new development is allowed in the buffer except for water-dependent structures, other
structures such as flag poles, signs, and security lights which result in only diminutive
increases in impervious areas, and public projectssuch as road crossings and greenways
where no practical alternative exists. These activities should minimize built-upon surface
area, direct runoff away from the surface waters, and maximize the utilization of
stormwater Best Management Practices. Any such development must obtain aSpecial
Use Permit from the Randolph County Watershed Review Board.
810:A PPLICATION OF R EGULATIONS
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 337
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
No building or land shall hereafter be used, and no development shall take place except
in conformity with the regulations herein specified for the watershed area in which it is
located.
No area required for complying with the provisions of this Ordinance shall be included in
the area required for another building.
Every residential building hereafter erected, moved, or structurally altered shall be located
on a lot that conforms to the regulations herein specified, except as permitted in Section
809.
If a use or class of use is not specifically indicated as being allowed in a watershed area,
such use or class of use is prohibited.
811:R ULES G OVERNING THE I NTERPRETATION OF W ATERSHED
A REA B OUNDARIES
Where uncertainty exists as to the boundary of the watershed areas, as shown on the
Watershed Protection Map of Randolph County, North Carolina,the following rules shall
apply.
A.Where boundaries are indicated as approximately following either a street,
alley, railroad, or highway lines or centerlines thereof, such lines shall be
construed to be said boundaries.
B.Where area boundaries are indicated as approximately following lot lines,
such lot lines shall be construed to be said boundaries. However, a
surveyed plat prepared by a registered land surveyor may be submitted to
Randolph County as evidence that one or more properties along these
boundaries do not lie within the watershed area.
C.Where the watershed area boundaries lie at a scaled distance more than
twenty-five feet from any parallel lot line, the location of the watershed area
boundaries shall be determined by use of the scale appearing on the
watershed map. Any ambiguities shouldbe resolved in favor of locating the
built-upon surface area in the least environmentally sensitive area of the
project.
D.Where the watershed area boundaries lie at a scaled distance of twenty-
five feet or less from any parallel lot line, the location of the watershed area
boundaries shall be construed to be the lot line.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 338
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
E.Where another uncertainty exists, the Watershed Administrator shall
interpret the watershed map as to the location of such boundaries. This
decision may be appealed to the Watershed Review Board.
812:E XISTING D EVELOPMENT
Existing development as defined in this Ordinance, may be continued,and maintained
subject to the provisions provided herein. Expansions to structures classified as existing
development must meet the requirements of this Ordinance, however, the built-upon area
of the existing development is not required to be included in the built-upon area
calculations. Please see Section 806, Calculation of Project Density. This section deals
with all existing development as defined in the North Carolina Environmental
Management Commission rules. All existing development, whether or not it meets the
statewide minimum standards, is exempt from the provisions of this Ordinance.
A.U SES OF L AND
This category consists of uses existing at the time of adoption of this
Ordinance where such use of the land would not permitted if it were a new
development. Such uses may be continued except as follows.
(1)Such use of land has been changed only to an allowed use.
(2)Such use of land shall be changed only to an allowed use, it
shall not thereafter revert to any prohibited use.
(3)When such use ceases for at least one year, it shall not be re-
established.
B.R ECONSTRUCTION OF B UILDINGS OR B UILT-U PON A REAS
Any existing building or built-upon area not in conformance with the
restrictions of this Ordinance that has been damaged or removed may be
repaired and/or reconstructed, except that there are no restrictions on
single-family residential development, provided:
(1)Repair or reconstruction is initiated within twelve months and
completed within two years of such damage.
(2)The total amount of space devoted to the built-upon area may
not be increased unless stormwater control that equals or
exceeds the previous development is provided.
813:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION P ERMIT
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 339
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
Except for a single-family residential development, no building on a built-upon area shall
be erected, moved, enlarged, or structurally altered, nor shall any building permit be
issued nor shall any change in the use of any building or land be made until a Watershed
Protection Permit has been issued by the Watershed Administrator. No Watershed
Protection Permit shall be issued except in conformity with the provisions of this
Ordinance.
Watershed Protection Permit applications shall be filed with the Watershed Administrator.
The application shall include a completed application form and supporting documentation
deemed necessary by the Watershed Administrator.
Before issuance of a Watershed Protection Permit, the Watershed Administrator may
consult with qualified personnel for assistance to determine if the application meets the
requirements of this Ordinance.
A Watershed Protection Permit shall expire if a Building Permit or Watershed Occupancy
Permit for such use is not obtained by the application within twelve months from the date
of issuance.
814:B UILDING P ERMIT R EQUIRED
No permit required under the North Carolina State Building Code shall be issued for any
activity for which a Watershed Protection Permit is required until that permit has been
issued.
815:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O CCUPANCY P ERMIT
The Watershed Administrator shall issue a Watershed Protection Occupancy Permit
certifying that all requirements of this Ordinance have been met before the occupancy or
use of a building hereafter erected, altered, or moved and/or before the change of use of
any building or land.
A Watershed Protection Occupancy Permit, either for the whole or part of a building, shall
be applied for coincident with the application for a Watershed Protection Permit and shall
be issued or denied within ten business days after the erection or structural alterations of
the building. The applicant should notify the Watershed Administrator and request the
issued Watershed Occupancy Permit when the building is complete.
When only a change in the use of land or existing building occurs, the Watershed
Administrator shall issue a Watershed Protection Occupancy Permit certifying that all
requirements of this Ordinance have been met coincident with the Watershed Protection
Permit.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 340
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
If the Watershed Protection Occupancy Permit is denied, the Watershed Administrator
shall notify the applicant in writing stating the reasons for the denial.
No building or structure that has been erected, moved, or structurally altered may be
occupied until the Watershed Administrator has approved and issued a Watershed
Protection Occupancy Permit.
816:P UBLIC H EALTH,I N G ENERAL
No activity, situation, structure, or land use shall be allowed within the watershed that
poses a threat to water quality and public health, safety, and welfare.
817:A BATEMENT
The Watershed Administrator shall monitor land use activities within the watershed areas
to identify situations that may pose a threat to water quality.
The Watershed Administrator shall report all findings to the Watershed Review Board.
The Watershed Administrator may consult with any public agency or official and request
recommendations. The Watershed Administrator may also coordinate with local
inspection departments since Randolph County can abate most threatening nuisances.
Where the Watershed Review Board finds a threat to water quality and the public health,
safety, and welfare, the Board shall institute any appropriate action or proceeding to
restrain, correct, or abate the condition and/or violation.
818:W ATERSHED A DMINISTRATOR AND D UTIES
The Randolph County Planning Director is hereby appointed the Watershed
Administrator, who shall be duly sworn in. It shall be the duty of the Watershed
Administrator to administer and enforce the provisions of this Ordinance as follows.
A.The Watershed Administrator shall issue Watershed Protection Permits and
Watershed Protection Occupancy Permits as prescribed herein. A record of
all permits shall be kept on file and shall be available for public inspection
during regular office hours of the Administrator.
B.The Watershed Administrator shall serve as Clerk to the Watershed Review
Board.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 341
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
C.The Watershed Administrator is granted the authority to administer and
enforce the provisions of this Ordinance, exercising in the fulfillment of his
responsibility the full police power of Randolph County. The Watershed
Administrator, or his duly authorized representative, may enter any building,
structure, or premises, as provided by law, to perform any duty imposed
upon him by the Ordinance.
D.The Watershed Administrator shall keep records of all amendments to the
local Water Supply Watershed Protection Ordinance and shall provide
copies of all amendments upon adoption to the Stormwater Branch of the
Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources.
E.The Watershed Administrator shall keep records of the jurisdictionÓs use of
the provision that a maximum of ten percent of the non-critical area of WS-
II, WS-III watersheds, and WS-IV watersheds may be developed with new
development at a maximum of seventypercent built-upon surface areas.
Records for each watershed shall include the total acres of non-critical
watershed area, total acres eligible to be developed under this option, total
acres approved for this development option, and individual records foreach
project with the following information: location, number of developed acres,
type of land use, and stormwater management plan if applicable.
F.The Watershed Administrator shall keep a record of variances to the local
Water Supply Watershed Protection Ordinance.
G.The Watershed Administrator is responsible for ensuring the Stormwater
Control Measures are inspected at least once a year and shall keep a record
of SCM inspections.
819:A PPEAL FOR THE W ATERSHED A DMINISTRATOR
Any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the Watershed Administrator
may be appealed to and decided by the Watershed Review Board.
An appeal from a decision of the Watershed Administrator must be submitted to the
Watershed Review Board within thirty days from the date of the order, interpretation,
decision, or determination is made. All appeals must be made in writing stating the reason
for the appeal. Following submission of an appeal, the Watershed Administrator shall
transmit to the Board all papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed
was taken.
An appeal stays all proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed unless the officer
from whom the appeal is taken certifies to the Board after the notice of appeal has been
filed with him, that by reasons of facts stated in the certificate of approvalfor recording, a
stay would in his opinion cause imminent peril to life or property. In such case,
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 342
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
proceedings shall not be stayed otherwise than by a restraining order which may be
granted by the Board or by a court of record on the application of notice of the officer from
whom the appeal is taken and upon due cause shown.
All appeals of the Watershed Administrator decisions shall follow the procedures of
administrative appeals in NCGS § 160D-405.
820:C HANGES AND A MENDMENTS TO THE W ATERSHED P ROTECTION
O RDINANCE
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners may, on its own motion or on a petition,
after public notice and hearing, amend, supplement, change, or modify the watershed
regulations and restrictions as described herein.
No action shall be taken until the proposal has been submitted to the Watershed Review
Board for review and recommendations. If no recommendation has been received from
the Watershed Review Board within forty-five days after submission of the proposal to the
Chairman of the Watershed Review Board, the Randolph County Board of
Commissioners may proceed as though a favorable report has been received.
Under no circumstances shall the Randolph County Board of Commissioners adopt such
amendments, supplements, or changes that would cause this Ordinance to violate the
watershed protection rules as adopted by the North Carolina Environmental Management
Commission. All amendments must be filed with the North Carolina Division of Energy,
Mineral, and Land Resources.
821:P UBLIC N OTICE AND H EARING R EQUIRED
Before adopting or amending this Ordinance, the Randolph County Board of
Commissioners shall hold a public hearing on the proposed changes. A notice of the
public hearing shall be given once a week for two successive calendar weeks in a
newspaper having general circulation in the area. The notice shall be published for the
first time not less than ten nor more than twenty-five days before the date for the hearing.
822:E STABLISHMENT OF W ATERSHED R EVIEW B OARD
The Randolph County Zoning Board of Adjustment is hereby appointed as the Watershed
Review Board. The members of the Watershed Review Board shall be appointed as
outlined in Article 300 of the Randolph County Unified Development Ordinance.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 343
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
823:R ULES OF C ONDUCT FOR M EMBERS
Members of the Watershed Review Board may be removed by the Randolph County
Board of Commissioners for cause, including violation of the rules stated below.
A.Faithful attendance at meetings of the Watershed Review Board and
conscientious performance of the duties required by members of the
Watershed Review Board shall be considered a prerequisite to continuing
membership on the Watershed Review Board.
B.No Watershed Review Board members shall take part in the hearing,
consideration, or determination of any case in which he is personally or
financially interested. A Watershed Review Board member shall have a
Ðfinancial interestÑ in a case when a decision i n the case will (i) cause him
or his spouse to experience a direct financial benefit or loss, or (ii) will cause
a business in which he or his spouse owns a ten percent or greater interest,
or is involved in a decision-making role, to experience a direct financial
benefit or loss. A Watershed Review Board member shall have a personal
interest in a case when it involves a member of his immediate family (ex.
parent, spouse, or child.) The intent is to prohibit members of the Watershed
Review Board from acting in situations where they have a conflict of interest
like the prohibition in NCGS § 14-234 (c) (1). Please also see NCGS §
160D-109 for standards for conflicts of interest for Randolph County
development decisions.
C.No Watershed Review Board member shall discuss the substance of any
appeal or other quasi-judicial case with any parties thereto before the public
hearing on that case; provided, however, that members may receive and/or
seek information about the case fromthe Watershed Administrator or any
other member of the Watershed Review Board, or its secretary before the
hearing.
D.Members of the Watershed Review Board shall not express individual
opinions on the proper judgment of any case before its determination on
that case, and shall not form a fixed opinion on the case before the hearing
on that case.
E.Members of the Watershed Review Board shall give notice to the Chairman
at least forty-eight hours before the meeting of any potential conflict of
interest in which he has a particular case before the Watershed Review
Board.
F.No Watershed Review Board member shall vote on any matter that decides
an application or appeal unless he has attended the public meeting or
watched a recording of the meeting on that application or appeal.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 344
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
824:P OWERS AND D UTIES OF THE W ATERSHED R EVIEW B OARD
A.A DMINISTRATIVE R EVIEW
The Watershed Review Board shall hear and decide appeals from any
decision or determination made by the Watershed Administrator in the
enforcement of this Ordinance.
B.V ARIANCES
The Watershed Review Board shall have the power to authorize, in specific
cases, minor variances from the terms of this Ordinance, and may review
major variance requests and make recommendations to the North Carolina
Environmental Management Commission regarding the same. In addition,
Randolph County shall notify and allow a reasonable comment period for
all other local governments having jurisdiction in the designated watershed
where the variance is being considered.
(1)Application for a variance shall be made on the proper form
obtainable from the Watershed Administrator and shall
include the following information:
(a)A site plan is drawn to a scale of at least one
inch to forty feet, indicating the property lines of
the parcel upon which the use is proposed; any
existing or proposed structures; parking areas
and other built-upon areas; and surface water
drainage. The site plan shall be neatly drawn
and indicate the north point, name and address
of the person who prepared the plan, date of the
original drawing, and an accurate record of any
later revisions.
(b)A complete and detailed description of the
proposed variance, together with any other
pertinent information that the applicant feels
would be helpful to the Watershed Review
Board in considering the application.
(c)Evidence or proposed witness testimony that
tends to support a finding that each of the
factors listed in subsection three below are met.
(2)The Watershed Administrator shall notify in writing each local
government having jurisdiction in the watershed and the entity
using the water supply for consumption. Such notice shall
include a description of the variance being requested. Local
governmentsreceiving notice of the variance request may
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 345
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
submit comments to the Watershed Administrator before a
decision by the Watershed Review Board. Such comments
shall become a part of the record of proceedings of the
Watershed Review Board.
(3)Before the Watershed Review Board may grant a variance, it
shall make the following three findings, which shall be
recorded on the permanent records of the case, and shall
include the factual reasons on which they are based:
(a)There are practical difficulties or unnecessary
hardships in the ways of carrying out the strict
letter of the Ordinance. To determine that there
are practical difficulties or unnecessary
hardships, the Board must find the five following
conditions exist:
(i)If he complies with the provisions
of the Ordinance, the applicant
can secure no reasonable return
from, nor make reasonable use of,
his property. Merely providing that
the variance would permit a
greater profit to be made from the
property will not be considered
adequate to justify the Board in
granting a variance. Moreover, the
Board shall consider whether the
variance is the minimum possible
deviation from the terms of the
Ordinance that will make possible
the reasonable use of his
property.
(ii)The hardship results from the
application of the Ordinance to the
property rather than from other
factors such as deed restrictions
or other hardships.
(iii)The hardship is due to the
physical nature of the applicantÓs
property, such as its size, shape,
or topography, which is different
from that of neighboring property.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 346
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
(iv)The hardship is not the result of
the actions of an applicant who
knowingly or unknowingly violated
the Ordinance, or who purchases
the property after the effective
date of the Ordinance, and then
comes to the Board for relief.
(v)The hardship is peculiar to the
applicantÓs property, rather than
the result of widespread
conditions. If other properties are
equally subject to the hardship
created by the restriction, then
granting a variance would be a
special privilege denied to others
and would not promote equal
justice.
(b)The variance is in harmony with the general
purpose and intent of the Ordinance and
preserves its spirit.
(c)In the granting of the variance, public safety and
welfare have been assured and substantial
justice has been done. The Board shall not grant
a variance if it finds that doing so would in any
respect impair the public health, safety, or
general welfare.
(4)In granting the variance, the Board may attach thereto such
conditions regarding the location, character, and other
features of the proposed building, structure, or use that relate
to the purpose and standards of this Ordinance. If a variance
for the construction, alteration, or use of the property is
granted, such construction, alteration, or use shall be per the
approved site plan.
(5)The Watershed Review Board shall refuse to hear an appeal
or an application for a variance previously denied if it finds that
there have been no substantial changes in conditions or
circumstances bearing on the appeal or application.
(6)A variance issued under this section shall be considered a
Watershed Protection Permit and shall expire if a building
permit or Watershed Occupancy Permit for such use is not
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 347
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
obtained by the applicant within six months from the date of
the decision.
(7)If the application calls for the granting of a major variance, and
if the Watershed Review Board decides in favor of granting
the variance, the Watershed Review Board shall prepare a
preliminary record of the hearing with all deliberate speed.
The preliminary record of the hearing shall include:
(a)The variance application;
(b)The hearing notices;
(c)The evidence presented;
(d)Motions, offers of proof, objections to evidence,
and rulings on them;
(e)Proposed findings and exceptions;
(f)The proposed decision, including all conditions
proposed to be added to the permit.
The preliminary record shall be sent to the Environmental Management
Commission for its review.
C.S UBDIVISION A PPROVAL
See Article 800, Section 802.
D.P UBLIC H EALTH
See Article 800, Sections 816 and 817.
E.A PPROVAL OF ALL DEVELOPMENT GREATER THAN THE LOW-DENSITY OPTION.
825:A PPEALS FROM THE W ATERSHED R EVIEW B OARD
Appeals from the Watershed Review Board must be filed with the Superior Court within
thirty days from the date of the decision. The decision by the Superior Court will be in the
manner of certiorari.
826:R ANDLEMAN L AKE W ATERSHED R IPARIAN B UFFERS
Under 15A NCAC 02B .0724 (the Rule), the protection of the pollutant removal and other
water quality services provided by riparian buffers throughout the watershed is an
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 348
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
important element of the overall Randleman Lake water supply pollutant strategy. The
following is the management strategy for maintaining and protecting riparian areas in the
Randleman Lake Watershed.
A.P URPOSE
The purposes of this rule shall be for local governments listed in the Rule,
and in certain cases stated in this Rule the Division, to maintain and protect
existing riparian buffers throughout the Randleman Lake Watershed as
generally described in this Rule, to maintain their nutrient removal and
stream protection functions. Additionally, this Rule will help protect the water
supply uses of Randleman Lake and designated water supplies throughout
the Randleman Lake Watershed. Terms used in this Rule shall bedefined
in Rule .0610 of 15A NCAC 02B.
B.A PPLICABILITY
This Rule shall apply to landowners and other persons including Randolph
County, State, and federal entities conducting activities within the riparian
buffers as described in Item (C)of this Rule in the Randleman Lake
Watershed.
C.B UFFERS P ROTECTED
The following minimum criteria shall be used for identifying regulated
riparian buffers:
(1)Surface water shall be subject to this Rule if the feature is
approximately shown on any of the following references, or if
there is other site-specific evidence that indicates to the
Authority the presence of waters not shown on any of these
references:
(a)The United States Geological SurveyÓs National
Map, available online at
https://www.usgs.gov/core-science-
systems/national-geospatial-program/national-
map;
(b)The most recent version of the published
manuscript of the soil survey map that shows
stream layers prepared by the Natural Resource
Conservation Service of the United States
Department of Agriculture; or
(c)Other maps approved by the North Carolina
Environmental Management Commission as
more accurate than those identified in Sub-item
(C) (1) (a) and (C) (1) (b) of the Rule. Other
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 349
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
maps shall use a hydrography dataset
developed using hydrography specifications
and standard metadata approved by the
Geographic Information Coordinating Council
(GICC) and maintained on a GICC list of the
best available hydrography. Edits, deletions,
and additions to the hydrography dataset shall
follow GICC-approved standards and
specifications, per stewardship governance.
Other maps shall have their hydrography
dataset and procedures for edits, deletions,and
additions reviewed and approved by the GICC.
Other maps shall be submitted to the Division
for review and recommendation to the North
Carolina Environmental Management
Commission. Beforerecommendation to the
North Carolina Environmental Management
Commission, the Division shall issue a thirty-day
public notice through the DivisionÓs mailing list
under15A NCAC 02H .0503. Division staff shall
present recommendations including comments
received during the public notice period to the
North Carolina Environmental Management
Commission for a final decision. Maps approved
under this sub-item shall not apply to projects
that are existing and ongoing within the meaning
of this Rule as set out in Item (F)of this Rule;
(2)This Rule shall apply to activities conducted within fifty-foot-
wide riparian buffers directly adjacent to surface waters in the
Randleman Lake Watershed (e.g., intermittent, and perennial
streams, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds) excluding wetlands;
(3)Wetlands adjacent to surface waters or within fifty feet of
surface waters shall be considered as part of the riparian
buffer but are regulated under 15A NCAC 02H .0506;
(4)Stormwater runoff from activities conducted outside the
riparian buffer shall comply with Item (I)of this Rule;
(5)Riparian buffers protected by this Rule shall be measured
under Item (H)of this Rule;
(6)A riparian buffer may be exempt from this Rule as described
in Items (E), (F),and (G)of this Rule; and
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 350
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
(7)No new clearing, grading, or development shall take place,
nor shall any new building permits be issued in violation of this
Rule.
D.O N-S ITE D ETERMINATION
When a landowner or other affected part believes that the maps listed in
Sub-Item (C) (1)of this Rule have inaccurately depicted surface waters or
the specific origination point of a stream, or the specific origination point of
the steam is in question or unclear, he or she shall request the Authority to
make an on-site determination. On-sitedeterminations shall be made by
Authority staff that is certified under NCGS 143-214.25A. Registered
Foresters under Chapter 98B of the General Statutes who are employees
of the North Carolina Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services can make on-site determinations for forest harvesting
operations and practices. Randolph County may accept the results of an
on-site determination made by other parties who have completed the
DivisionÓs Surface Water Identification Training Certification course, its
successor, or other equivalent training curriculum approved by the Division.
On-site determinations shall expire five years from the date of the
determination. Any disputes over on-site determinations shall be referred to
the Director in writing within sixty calendar days of written notification from
the Authority. The DirectorÓs determination is subject to review as provided
in NCGS 150B Articles 3 and 4.
E.E XEMPTION B ASED O N O N-S ITE D ETERMINATION
Surface waters that appear on the maps listed in Sub-Item (C) (1)of this
Rule shall not be subject to this Rule if an on-site determination shows that
they fall into one of the following categories:
(1)Ditches and manmade conveyances including manmade
stormwater conveyances, other than modified natural streams
unless the ditch or manmade conveyance delivers untreated
stormwater runoff from an adjacent source directly to an
intermittent or perennial stream;
(2)The absence on the ground of a corresponding perennial
waterbody, intermittent water body, lake, reservoir, or pond;
(3)Ephemeral streams; and
(4)Manmade ponds and lakes that are not fed by an intermittent
or perennial stream or do not have a direct discharge point to
an intermittent or perineal stream.
F.E XEMPTION W HEN E XISTING U SES A RE P RESENT A ND O NGOING
This Rule shall not apply to portions of the riparian buffer where its use is
existing and is ongoing.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 351
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
(1)The use shall be considered existing and ongoing if:
(a)It was present within the riparian buffer as of the
effective date of the local ordinance or
ordinances enforcing this Rule and has
continued to exist since that time. For activities
listed in Sub-Item (L) (2)of this Rule, the use
shall be considered existing and ongoing if it
was present within the riparian buffer as of April
1, 1999, and has continued to exist since that
time;
(b)It was a deemed allowable activity as listed in
Item (K)of this Rule; or
(c)It was conducted and maintained according to
an Authorization Certificate or Variance issued
by the Authority; or
(d)The project or proposed development is
determined by the Authority to meet at least one
of the following criteria:
(i)The project requires a 401
Certification/404 Permit, and
these were issued before the
effective date of the local
ordinance or ordinances enforcing
this Rule, or for activities listed in
Sub-Item (L) (2)of this Rule,
before April 1, 1991, and are still
valid; or
(ii)Projects that require a State
permit, such as landfills, NPDES
wastewater discharges, land
application of residuals, and road
construction activities, and have
begun construction or are under
contract to begin construction,
and have received all required
State permits and certifications
before the effective date of the
local ordinance or ordinances
implementing this Rule, or for
activities listed in Sub-Item (L) (2)
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 352
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
of this Rule, before April 1, 1999;
or
(iii)Projects that are being reviewed
through the Clean Water Act
Section 404/National
Environmental Policy Act Merge
01 Process (published by the US
Army Corps of Engineers and
Federal Highway Administration,
2003) or its immediate successor
and that have reached an
agreement with the Department
on avoidance and minimization
before April 1, 1999; or
(iv)Projects that are not required to be
reviewed by the Clean Water Act
Section 404/National
Environmental Policy Act Merge
01 Process (published by the US
Army Corps of Engineers and
Federal Highway Administration,
2003) or its immediate successor
if a Finding of No Significant
Impact has been issued for the
project and the project has the
written approval of the Division
before April 1, 1999.
(2)Existing and ongoing uses shall include, but not be limited to,
agriculture, buildings, industrial facilities, commercial areas,
transportation facilities, maintained lawns (e.g., can be
mowed without a chainsaw or bush-hog), existing utility line
maintenance corridors, and on-site sanitary sewage systems,
any of which involve either specific, periodic management of
vegetation or displacement of vegetation by structures or
regular activity.
(3)Only the portion of the riparian buffer that contains the
footprint of the existing and ongoing use is exempt from this
Rule.
(4)Change of ownership through purchase or inheritance is not
a change of use.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 353
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
(5)Activities necessary to maintain existing and ongoing uses are
allowed provided that the site remains similarly vegetated, no
built-upon area is added within the riparian buffer where it did
not previously exist before the effective date of the local
ordinance or ordinances enforcing this Rule, or for activities
listed in Sub-Item (L) (2) beforeApril 1, 1999, and the site
complies with Item(I)of this Rule.
(6)This Rule shall apply at the time an existing and ongoing use
is changed to another use. Change of use shall involve the
initiation of any activity not defined as existing and ongoing in
Sub-Items (F) (5)of this Rule.
G.E XEMPTION F OR P ONDS C ONSTRUCTED A ND U SED F OR A GRICULTURAL
P URPOSES
This Rule shall not apply to a freshwater pond if all the following conditions
are met:
(1)The property on which the pond is located is used for
agriculture as that term is defined in NCGS § 160-581.1;
(2)Except for this Rule, the use of the property complies with all
other water quality and water quantity statutes and rules
applicable to the property before April 1, 1999; and
(3)The pond is not a component of an animal waste management
system as defined in NCGS § 143-215.10B (3).
H.Z ONES O F T HE R IPARIAN B UFFER
The protected riparian buffer shall have two zones as follows:
(1)Zone 1 shall consist of a vegetated area that is undisturbed
except for uses provided for in Items (I) and (L)of this Rule.
The location of Zone 1 shall be as follows:
(a)For intermittent and perennial streams, Zone I
shall begin at the most landward limit of the top
of the bank or the rooted herbaceous vegetation
and extend landward a distance of thirty feet on
all sides of the stream. Where an intermittent or
perennial stream begins or ends, including
when it goes underground, enters, or exits a
culvert, or enters or exits a wetland, the required
distance shall be measured as a radius around
the beginning or the end; and
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 354
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
(b)For ponds, lakes,and reservoirs subject to this
Rule, Zone 1 shall begin at the normal water
level and extend landward to thirty feet,
measured horizontally on a line perpendicular to
the surface water.
(2)Zone 2 shall consist of a stable, vegetated area that is
undisturbed except for uses provided for in Items (I)and (L)
of this Rule. Grading and revegetating Zone 2 is allowed
provided that the height of the vegetation in Zone 1 is not
compromised. Zone 2 shall begin at the edge of Zone 1 and
extend landward twenty feet as measured horizontally on a
line perpendicular to the surface water. The combined width
of Zone 1 and Zone 2 shall be fifty feet on all sides of the
surface water.
I.S TORMWATER R UNOFF T HROUGH T HE R IPARIAN B UFFER
Stormwater runoff into the riparian buffer shall meet dispersed flow as
defined in 15A NCAC 02H .1002 except as otherwise described in this Item.
Drainage conveyances include drainage ditches, roadside ditches, and
stormwater conveyances. The following stormwater conveyances through
the riparian buffer are either deemed allowable or allowable upon
authorization, as defined in Sub-Item (J) (1)of this Rule, providing that they
do not erode through the riparian buffer that is not listed below shall be
allowable with exception as defined in Sub-Item (J) (5)of this Rule.
(1)The following are deemed allowable as defined in Sub-Item
(J) (1)of this Rule:
(a)New drainage conveyances from a Primary
SCM, as defined in 15A NCAC 02H .1002, when
the Primary SCM is designed to treat the
drainage area to the conveyance and that
comply with a stormwater management plan
reviewed and approved under a State
stormwater program or a State-approved local
government stormwater program; and
(b)New stormwater flow to existing drainage
conveyances provided that the addition of new
flow does not result in the need to alter the
conveyance.
(2)The following are allowable upon authorization as defined in
Sub-Item (J) (3)of this Rule:
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 355
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
(a)New drainage conveyances from a Primary
SCM, as defined in 15A NCAC 02H .1002 when
the Primary SCM is provided to treat the
drainage area to the conveyance but are not
required to be approved under a State
stormwater program or a State-approved local
government program;
(b)New drainage conveyances when the flow rate
of the conveyance is less than 0.50 cubic feet
per second during the peak flow from the 0.75
inches per hour storm;
(c)New stormwater runoff that has been treated
through a level spreader-filter strip that complies
with 15A NCAC 02H .0159;
(d)Realignment of existing roadside drainage
conveyances applicable to publicly funded and
maintained linear transportation facilities when
retaining or improving and design dimensions
provided that no additional travel lanes are
added, and the minimum required roadway
typical section is used based on traffic and
safety considerations;
(e)Realignment of existing drainage conveyances
retaining or improving the design dimensions
provided that the size of the drainage area and
the percent built-upon area within the drainage
area remain the same;
(f)New or altered drainage conveyances
applicable to publicly funded and maintained
linear transportation facilities provided that
SCMs, or BMPs from the NCDOT Stormwater
Best Management Practices Toolbox, are
employed;
(g)New drainage conveyances applicable to
publicly funded and maintained linear
transportation facilities that do not provide a
stormwater management facility due to
topography constraints provided other
measures and employed to protect downstream
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 356
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
water quality to the maximum extent practical;
and;
(h)New drainage conveyances where the drainage
area to the conveyance has no new built-upon
area as defined in 15A NCAC 02H .1002 and
the conveyance is necessary for bypass or
existing drainage only.
J.U SES
Uses within the riparian buffer, or outside the riparian buffer with
hydrological impacts on the authorization, allowable with mitigation upon
authorization, or prohibited. Potential new uses shall have the following
requirements:
(1)D EEMED A LLOWABLE
Uses designated or deemed allowable in Sub-Item (I) (1)and
Item (K)of this rule may occur within the riparian buffer.
Deemed allowable uses shall be designed, constructed, and
maintained to minimize vegetation and soil disturbance and to
provide the maximum water quality protection practicable,
including construction, monitoring, and maintenance
activities. Also, deemed allowable uses shall meet the
requirements listed in Item (K)of this Rule for the specific use.
(2)A LLOWABLE U PON A UTHORIZATION
Uses designated as allowable upon authorization in Sub-Item
(I) (2)and Item (K)of this Rule require a written Authorization
Certificate from the Authority for impacts within the riparian
buffer if there are no practical alternatives to the requested
use according to Rule .0611 of this Subchapter.
(3)A LLOWABLE W ITH M ITIGATION U PON A UTHORIZATION
Uses designated as allowable with mitigation upon
authorization in Item (K)of this Rule require a written
Authorization Certificate from the Authority for impacts within
the riparian buffer according to Rule .0611 of this Subchapter
and an appropriate mitigation strategy has received written
approval underItem (L)of this rule.
(4)P ROHIBITED
Uses designated as prohibited in Item (K)of this Rule may not
proceed within the riparian buffer unless a Variance is granted
under Rule .0226 of this Subchapter. Mitigation may be
required as a condition of a variance approval.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 357
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
(5)A LLOWABLE W ITH E XCEPTION
Uses not designated as deemed allowable, allowable under
an authorization, allowable with mitigation under the
authorization, or prohibited in Item (K)of this Rule require a
written Authorization Certificate with Exception from the
Authority for impacts within the riparian buffer according to
Rule .0611 of this Subchapter and an appropriate mitigation
strategy that has received written approval according to Item
(L)of this Rule.
K.T ABLE OF U SES
The following table sets out potential new uses within the riparian buffer, or
outside the riparian buffer with hydrological impacts on the riparian buffer,
and designates them as deemed allowable, allowable upon authorization,
allowable with mitigation upon authorization, or prohibited.
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Airport facilities:
Airport facilities that impact
equal to or less than one-
third of an acre of riparian
buffer.
Airport facilities that impact
greater thanone-third of an
acre of riparian buffer.
Vegetation removal
activities necessary to
comply with FAA
requirements (e.g., line of
sight requirements) provided
the disturbed areas are
stabilized and revegetated.
Archaeological activities:
Bridges:
Impact equal to or less than
one-tenth of an acre of
riparian buffer.
Impact greater than one-
tenth of an acre of riparian
buffer.
Dam maintenance activities:
Dam maintenance activities
that do not cause additional
riparian buffer disturbances
beyond the footprint of the
existing dam.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 358
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Dam maintenance activities
that do cause additional
riparian buffer disturbances
beyond the footprint of the
existing dam.
Drainage of a pond subject to Item
(D)of this Rule provided that a new
riparian buffer is established by
natural regeneration or planting,
within fifty feet of any stream which
naturally forms or is constructed
within the drained pond area. Drained
ponds shall be allowed to naturalize
for a minimum of six months from
completion of the draining activity
before a stream determination is
conducted under Item (D)of this
Rule.
Fences:
Fencing livestock out of
surface waters.
Installation does not result in
the removal of trees from
Zone 1.
Installation results in the
removal of trees from Zone 1.
Fertilizer application:
One-time fertilizer application
at agronomic rates in the
riparian buffer to establish
replanted vegetation. No
runoff from this one-time
application in the riparian
buffer is allowed in the
surface water.
Ongoing fertilizer application.
Forest harvesting(See Rule .0612
of this Subchapter)
Grading in only Zone 2 provided that
the health of existing vegetation in
Zone 1 is not compromised, Item (I)
of this Rule is complied with, and
disturbed areas are stabilized and
revegetated.
Greenways,trails, sidewalks,or
linear pedestrian/bicycle
transportation systems:
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 359
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
In Zone 2 provided that no
built-upon area is added
within the riparian buffer.
In Zone 1 provided that no
built-upon area is added
within the riparian buffer and
the installation does not
result in the removal of
tree(s).
When built upon area is
added to the riparian buffer,
equal to or less than ten feet
wide with two-foot-wide
shoulders. Shall be located
outside Zone 1 unless there
is no practical alternative.
When built upon area is
added to the riparian buffer,
greater than ten feet wide
with two-foot-wide shoulders.
Shall be located outside
Zone 1 unless there is no
practical alternative.
Historic preservation:
New landfills as defined in NCGS §
130A-290.
Maintenance access of modified
natural streams; a grassed travel
way on one side of the waterbody
when less impacting alternatives are
not practical. The width and
specifications of the travel way shall
be only that needed for equipment
access and operation. The travel way
shall be located to maximize stream
shading.
Mining activities:
Mining activities that are
covered by the Mining Act
provided that new riparian
buffers that meet the
requirements of Items (H)
and (I)of this Rule are
established adjacent to any
relocated channels.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 360
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Mining activities that are not
covered by the Mining Act
OR where new riparian
buffers that meet the
requirements of Items (H)
and (I)of this Rule are not
established.
Wastewater or mining
dewatering wells with
approved NPDES permit.
Pedestrian access trail and
associated steps leading to surface
water, dock, canoe or kayak access,
fishing pier, boat ramp, or other
water-dependent structure:
Equal to are less than six feet
wide that does not result in
the removal of tree(s) within
the riparian buffer and does
not result in the addition of
built-upon area to the riparian
buffer.
Equal to or less than six feet
wide that results in the
removal of tree(s) or the
addition built upon area to the
riparian buffer.
Greater than six feet wide.
Playground equipment:
Playground equipment on
single-family lots if
installation and use does not
result in the removal of
vegetation.
Playground equipment on
single-family lots where
installation or use results in
the removal of vegetation.
Playground equipment
installed on lands other than
single-family lots.
Ponds created or modified by
impounding streams subject to
riparian buffers under Item (C)of this
Rule and not used as stormwater
control measures (SCMs):
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 361
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
New ponds provided that a
riparian buffer that meets the
requirements of Items (H)
and (I) of this Ruleis
established adjacent to the
pond.
New ponds where a riparian
buffer that meets the
requirements of Items (H)
and (I) of this Rule isNOT
established adjacent to the
pond.
Protection of existing structures
and facilities when this requires
additional disturbances of the riparian
buffer.
Public safety or publicly owned
spaces where it has been
determined by the head of the local
law enforcement agency with
jurisdiction over that area that the
buffers pose a risk to public safety.
The head of the local law
enforcement agency shall notify
Randolph County with land use
jurisdiction over the publicly owned
space and the Division of Water
Resources of any such determination
in writing.
Removal of previous fill or debris if
Item (I)of this Rule is complied with
and any vegetation removed is
restored.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 362
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Residential properties:Where the
application of this Rule would
preclude the construction of a single-
family residence and necessary
infrastructure, the single-family
residence may encroach in the
riparian buffer if all of the following
conditions are met: (1) the residence
is set back the maximum feasible
distance from the top of the bank,
rooted herbaceous vegetation,
normal high-water level, or normal
water level, whichever is applicable,
on the existing lot; (2) the residence is
designed to minimize encroachment
into the riparian buffer; (3) the
residence complies with Item (I)of
this Rule; and (4) if the residence will
be served by an on-site wastewater
system, no part of the septic system
or drain field may encroach into the
riparian buffer.
The residence or necessary
infrastructure only impacts
Zone 2.
The residence or necessary
infrastructure impacts Zone
1.
Impacts other than the
residence or necessary
infrastructure.
Restoration or enhancement
(wetland, stream) as defined in 33
CFR Part 332 available free of charge
2
on the internet.
Wetland or stream
restoration is part of a
compensatory mitigation
bank, nutrient offset bank, or
the In-Lieu Fee Program.
Wetland or stream
restoration other than those
listed above.
Road, driveway,or railroad:
perpendicular crossings of streams
and other surface waters subject to
this Rule:
2http://water.epa.gov/lawregs/guidance/wetlands/wetlandsmitigation_index.cfm
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 363
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
The impact is equal to less
than one-tenth of an acre of
riparian buffer.
Impact greater than one-
tenth of an acre but equal to
or less than one-third of an
acre of riparian buffer.
Impact greater than one-third
of an acre of riparian buffer.
Driveway crossings in a
residential subdivision that
cumulatively impact equal to
or less than one-third of an
acre of riparian buffer.
Driveway crossings in a
residential subdivision that
cumulatively impact greater
than one-third of an acre of
riparian buffer.
Farm roads and forest roads
that are exempt from
permitting from the US Army
Corps of Engineers per
Section 404 (f) of the Federal
Clean Water Act.
Road, driveway,or railroad:
impacts other than perpendicular
crossings of streams and other
surface water subject to this Rule.
Road relocation of existing private
access roads associated with public
road projects where necessary for
public safety:
Less than or equal to 2,500
square feet of riparian buffer
impact.
Greater than 2,500 square
feet of riparian buffer impact
Scientific studies and stream
gauging:
Slatted uncovered decks,including
steps and support posts, which are
associated with a dwelling, if it meets
the requirements of Items (H)and (I)
of the Rule and:
Installation does not result in
the removal of vegetation in
Zone 1
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 364
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Installation results in the
removal of vegetation in
Zone 1.
Stormwater Control Measure
(SCM)as defined in 15A NCAC 02H
.1002:
In Zone 2 if Item (I)of this
Rule is complied with
In Zone 1
Streambank or shoreline
stabilization:
Temporary roads provided that the
disturbed area is restored to pre-
construction topographic and
hydrologic conditions and replanted
with comparable vegetation within
two months of when construction is
complete. Tree planting may occur
during the dormant season. At the
end of five years, any restored
wooded riparian buffer shall comply
with the restoration criteria in Rule
.0295(i) of this Subchapter:
Less than or equal to 2,500
square feet of riparian buffer
disturbance.
Greater than 2,500 square
feet of riparian buffer
disturbance.
Associated with culvert
installation or bridge
construction or replacement.
Temporary sediment and erosion
control devices provided that the
disturbed area is restored to pre-
construction topographic and
hydrologic conditions and replanted
with comparable vegetation within
two months of when construction is
complete. Tree planting may occur
during the dormant season. At the
end of five years, any restored
wooded riparian buffer shall comply
with the restorations criteria in Rule
.0295 (i) of this Subchapter:
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 365
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
In Zone 2 only if the ground
cover is established within
the timeframes required by
the Sedimentation and
Erosion Control Act, the
vegetation in Zone 1 is not
compromised and that
discharge is under Item (I)of
this rule.
In Zone 1 and Zone 2 to
control impacts associated
with uses identified in this
Table or uses that have
received an Authorization
Certificate with Exception if
sediment and erosion control
for upland areas is
addressed outside the
riparian buffer.
In-stream temporary erosion
and sediment control
measures for work within a
stream channel that is
authorized under Sections
401 and 404 of the Federal
Clean Water Act.
Utility Lines: Streambank
stabilization for the protection of
publicly owned utility lines (not
including new line installation):
Less than 150 feet of
streambank disturbance.
Greater than 150 feet of
streambank disturbance.
Utility Lines: Sanitary Sewer
Overflows:
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 366
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Emergency sanitary sewer
overflow response activities
provided that the disturbed
area within the riparian buffer
outside of the existing utility
line maintenance corridor is
the minimum necessary to
respond to pre-construction
topographic and hydrologic
conditions, and is replanted
with comparable vegetation
(e.g., grass with grass,
hardwoods with hardwoods)
within two months of when
the disturbance is complete.
Emergency sanitary sewer
overflow response activities
that do not meet the listing
above. For any new
proposed permanent impacts
that are not a ÐDeemed
Allowable ActivityÑ, an
application for an
Authorization Certificate shall
be submitted to the Authority
no later than thirty calendar
days of the conclusion of the
emergency response
activities.
Utility lines: Utility, Sewer Lines:
Vegetation maintenance activities
that remove forest vegetation from
existing sewer utility rights-of-way
(not including new line installation)
outside of the existing utility line
maintenance corridor:
Zone 2 impacts.
Zone 1 impacts: For lines that
have not been maintained,
the vegetation can be
mowed, cut, or otherwise
maintained without
disturbance to the soil
structure for a maintenance
corridor that is equal to or
less than thirty feet wide.
Zone 1 impacts other than
those listed above.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 367
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Utility, Sewer Lines:
Replacement/Rehabilitation of
existing sewer lines within, or
adjacent to, an existing right-of-way
but outside of an existing utility line
maintenance corridor provided that
comparable vegetation (e.g., grass
with grass, hardwoods with
hardwoods) can regenerate in
disturbed riparian buffers outside of
the permanent maintenance corridor
and riparian buffers outside of the
permanent maintenance corridor are
not maintained:
Permanent maintenance
corridor equal to or less than
thirty feet wide provided there
is no grading and/or grubbing
within ten feet of the top of
the bank when the sewer line
is parallel to the stream.
Grading and/or grubbing
within ten feet of the top of
the bank, when the sewer
line is parallel to the stream
and permanent maintenance
corridor equal to, is less than
thirty feet wide.
A permanent maintenance
corridor is greater than thirty
feet wide. For impacts other
than perpendicular
crossings, mitigation is only
required for Zone 1 impacts.
For perpendicular crossings
that disturb equal to or less
than forty linear feet, no
mitigation is required. For
perpendicular crossings that
disturb than forty linear feet,
mitigation is only required for
Zone 1 impacts.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 368
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Utility: Sewer Lines, New Line
Construction/Installation
Activities:Perpendicular crossings
of streams and other surface waters
subject to this Rule or perpendicular
entry into the riparian buffer that does
not cross a stream or other surface
water subject to this Rule if vegetation
can regenerate in disturbed areas
outside of the permanent
maintenance corridor:
Construction corridor of less
than or equal to forty linear
feet wide and a permanent
maintenance corridor that is
equal to or less than thirty
feet wide.
Construction corridor of
greater than forty linear feet
wide and less than or equal to
150 linear feet wide and a
permanent maintenance
corridor that is equal to or
less than thirty feet wide.
Construction corridor of
greater than forty linear feet
wide and less than or equal to
150 linear feet wide and a
permanent maintenance
corridor that is equal to or
less than thirty feet wide.
Permanent maintenance
corridor that is greater than
thirty linear feet wide. For
impacts other than
perpendicular crossings,
mitigation is only required for
Zone 1 impacts. For
perpendicular crossings, the
disturbance is equal to or
less than forty linear feet, no
mitigation is required. For
perpendicular crossings that
disturb greater than forty
linear feet, mitigation is only
required for Zone 1 impacts.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 369
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Utility: Sewer Lines, New Line
Construction/Installation
Activities:Impacts other than
perpendicular crossings if vegetation
can regenerate in disturbed areas
outside of the permanent
maintenance corridor:
Zone 2 impacts.
Zone 1 impacts to less than
2,500 square feet when
impacts are solely the result
of tying into an existing utility
line and when grubbing or
grading within ten feet
immediately adjacent to the
surface water is avoided.
Zone 1 impacts other than
those listed above.
Utility: Non-sewer Underground
Lines:Vegetation maintenance
activities that remove forest
vegetation from existing utility rights-
of-way (not including new line
installation) outside of the existing
utility line maintenance corridor:
Zone 2 impacts.
Zone 1 impacts: For lines that
have not been maintained,
the vegetation can be
mowed, cut, or otherwise
maintained without
disturbance to the soil
structure for a maintenance
corridor that is equal to or
less than thirty feet wide.
Zone 1 impacts other than
those listed above.
Utilities: Non-sewer Underground
Lines:Perpendicular crossings of
streams and other surface water
subject to this Rule or perpendicular
entry into the riparian buffer that does
not cross a stream or other surface
water subject to this Rule if vegetation
can regenerate in disturbed areas
outside of the permanent
maintenance corridor:
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 370
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Construction corridor of less
than or equal to fifty linear
feet wide and a permanent
maintenance corridor that is
equal to or less than thirty
feet wide.
Construction corridor of
greater than fifty linear feet
wide and less than or equal to
150 linear feet wide and a
permanent maintenance
corridor that is equal to or
less than thirty feet wide.
Construction corridor of
greater than 150 linear feet
wide and a permanent
maintenance corridor that is
equal to or less than thirty
feet wide.
Permanent maintenance
corridor that is greater than
thirty linear feet wide.
(Mitigation is required only for
Zone 1 impacts.)
Utilities: Non-sewer Underground
Lines:Impacts other than
perpendicular crossings if vegetation
can regenerate in disturbed areas
outside of the permanent
maintenance corridor:
Zone 2 impacts.
Zone 1 impacts to less than
2,500 square feet when
impacts are solely the results
of tying into an existing utility
line and when grubbing or
grading within ten feet
immediately adjacent to the
surface water is avoided.
Zone 1 impacts other than
those listed above.
Utilities: Non-sewer and Aerial
Lines:Perpendicular crossings of
streams and other surface waters
subject to this Rule or perpendicular
entry into the riparian buffer that does
not cross a stream or other surface
water subject to this Rule:
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 371
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Disturb equal to or less than
150 linear feet wide of the
riparian buffer provided that a
minimum zone of ten feet
wide immediately adjacent to
the waterbody is managed
such that only vegetation that
poses a hazard or has the
potential to grow tall enough
to interfere with the line is
removed, that no land
grubbing or grading is
conducted in Zone 1, and
that poles or aerial
infrastructure are not
installed within ten feet of a
waterbody.
Disturb greater than 150
linear feet wide of riparian
buffer.
Utilities: Non-sewer Aerial Lines:
Impacts other than perpendicular
crossings of streams and other
surface waters subject to this Rule or
perpendicular entry into the riparian
buffer that does not cross a stream or
other surface water subject to this
Rule:
Impacts in Zone 2 only
Impacts in Zone 1 provided
that a minimum zone of ten
feet wide immediately
adjacent to the waterbody is
managed such that only
vegetation that poses a
hazard or has the potential to
grow tall enough to interfere
with the line is removed, that
no land grubbing or grading
is conducted in Zone 1,and
that poles or aerial
infrastructure are not
installed within ten feet of a
water body.
Vegetation management:
Emergency fire control
measures if the topography is
restored.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 372
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Periodic mowing and
harvesting of plant products
only in Zone 2.
Placement of mulch rings
around restoration plantings
for a period of five years from
the date of planting.
Planting non-invasive
vegetation to enhance the
riparian buffer.
Pruning forest vegetation
ensures that the health and
function of the forest
vegetation are not
compromised.
Removal of individual trees,
branches, or limbs that are in
danger of causing damage to
dwellings, existing utility
lines, other structures, or
human life, or are imminently
endangering the stability of
the streambank provided that
the stumps are left or ground
in place without causing an
additional land disturbance.
Removal of individual trees
that are dead, diseased, or
damaged.
Removal of poison ivy, oak,
or sumac. Removal can
include the application of
pesticides within the riparian
buffer if the pesticides are
certified by the EPA for use in
or near aquatic sites and are
applied following the
manufacturerÓs instructions.
If removal is significant, then
the riparian buffer shall be
replaced with non-invasive
species.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 373
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
Removal of understory
nuisance vegetation as
defined in Smith, Cherri L.
2008. Invasive Plants for
3
North Carolina. NCDOT.
Removal can include the
application of pesticides
within the riparian buffer if the
pesticides are certified by the
EPA for use in or near
aquatic sites and are applied
following the manufacturerÓs
instructions. If removal is
significant, then the riparian
buffer shall be replanted with
non-invasive species.
Removal of woody
vegetation in Zone 1 if Item (I)
of this Rule is complied with.
Vehicle access roads and boat rams
(excluding parking areas) leading to
surface water, docks, fishing piers,
and other water-dependent activities:
Singular vehicular access
road and a boat ramp to the
surface water but not
crossing the surface water
that is restricted to the
minimum width practical not
to exceed fifteen feet wide.
Vehicular access roads and
boat ramps to the surface
water but not crossing the
surface water that is
restricted to the minimum
width practicable and
exceeds fifteen feet wide.
Water-dependent structures
(except for boat ramps) as defined in
Rule .0202 of this Subchapter.
Water supply reservoirs:
New reservoirs provided that
a riparian buffer that meets
the requirements of Items (H)
and (I) of this Rule is
established adjacent to the
reservoir.
3https://www.ncforestservice.gov/forest_health/invasives.htm
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 374
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
A LLOWABLE
A LLOWABLE WITH
U SE A LLOWABLEWITH MITIGATION P ROHIBITED
AUTHORIZATIONUPON
AUTHORIZATION
New reservoirs where a
riparian buffer that meets the
requirements of Items (H)
and (I) of this Rule is not
established adjacent to the
reservoir.
Water wells
Wildlife passage structures
Table 27: Randleman Lake Riparian Buffer Table of Uses
L.M ITIGATION
Persons who wish to undertake uses designed as allowable upon
authorization with mitigation as defined in Sub-Item (J) (3) of this Rule or
allowable with exception as defined in Sub-Item (J) (5) of this Rule shall
meet the following requirements to proceed with their proposed use.
1.Obtain an Authorization Certificate under Rule .0611 of this
Subchapter; and
2.Obtain written approval for a migration proposal under Rule
.0295 of this Subchapter.
M.R ULE I MPLEMENTATION
This Rule shall be implemented as follows:
1.Local governments with land use authority within the
Randleman Lake Watershed shall establish and maintain
riparian buffer protection programs to meet or exceed the
minimum requirements of this Rule and shall comply with all
requirements outlined in NCGS §143-214.23A.
(a)Randolph County shall adopt and enforce this
Rule through local ordinances.
(b)Randolph County shall appoint a Riparian Buffer
Protection Administrator(s) who shall coordinate
the implementation and enforcement of the
program. The Administrator(s) shall attend an
initial training session by the Division and be
certified to make on-site determinations
according to NCGS § 143-214.25A. The
Administrator(s) shall ensure that Randolph
County staff working directly with the program
receive training to understand, implement, and
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 375
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
enforce the program and are certified to make
on-site determinations according to NCGS §
143-214.25A. At any time that Randolph County
does not have a certified individual retained on
staff to make on-site determinations according
to NCGS § 143-214.25A, they shall immediately
notify the Division and indicate a proposed
schedule to secure a certified staff member.
Randolph County shall coordinate with the
Division to provide on-site determinations until a
newly certified staff member is secured by
Randolph County.
2.Randolph County shall apply the requirements of this Rule
throughout their jurisdiction within the Randleman Lake
Watershed except where the Division shall exercise
jurisdiction. The Division shall have jurisdiction to the
exclusion of Randolph County to administer the requirements
of this Rule for the following types of activities:
(a)Activities conducted under the authority of the
State;
(b)Activities conducted under the authority of the
United States;
(c)Activities conducted under the authority of
multiple jurisdictions;
(d)Activities conducted under the authority of local
units of government;
(e)Forest harvesting activities described in Rule
.0612 of this Subchapter; and
(f)Agricultural activities.
3.The Division shall regularly audit Randolph County to ensure
that local programs are being implemented and enforced in
keeping with the requirements of this Rule and Rule .0611 of
this Subchapter. The audit shall consist of a review of all
Randolph County activities concerning the implementation of
this Rule and Rule .0611 of this Subchapter.
4.Randolph County shall maintain on-site records for a
minimum of five years and shall furnish a copy of these
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 376
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
records to the Division within thirty calendar days of receipt of
a written request for them. Randolph CountyÓs records shall
include the following:
(a)A copy of all Authorization Certificates with
Exception requests;
(b)Findings on all Authorization Certificates with
Exceptions requests;
(c)The results of all Authorization Certificates with
Exception proceedings;
(d)A record of complaints and actions taken
because of complaints;
(e)Records for on-site determinations as described
in Item (D) of this Rule; and
(f)Copies of all requests for authorizations,
records approving authorization, and
Authorization Certificates.
5.If Randolph County fails to adopt or adequately implement its
program as specified in this Rule, the Division may take
appropriate enforcement action as authorized by statute and
may choose to assume responsibility for implementing that
program until it determines that Randolph County is prepared
to comply with its responsibilities.
6.The Commission may delegate its duties and powers for
granting and rescinding Randolph County delegation of the
Randleman Lake Riparian Buffer protection requirements, in
whole or in part, to the Director.
N.W ATER S UPPLY R EQUIREMENTS
The existing water supply requirement in Rule .0624 (12) of this Subchapter
that stipulates a one-hundred-foot vegetated buffer, adjacent to perennial
streams, for all new development activities, applies to the entire Randleman
Lake Watershed. The first fifty feet of these riparian areas on either side of
these waters shall also be protected under all the requirements of this Rule.
Randolph County may choose to implement more stringent requirements,
including requiring additional buffer width. The existing water supply
requirement in Rule .0624 (12) of this Subchapter also stipulated a thirty-
foot vegetated buffer, adjacent to perennial streams, for all new
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 377
A RTICLE 800:W ATERSHED P ROTECTION O RDINANCE
development activities that utilize the low-density option also applies to the
entire Randleman Lake Watershed.
O.O THER L AWS,R EGULATIONS,AND P ERMITS
In all cases, compliance with this Rule does not preclude the requirement
to comply with all other federal, State, and local regulations and laws.
R ANDOLPH C OUNTY U NIFIED D EVELOPMENT O RDINANCE P AGE 378