012599January 25, 1999
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special session at 6:30 p.m. in the
Commissioners Meeting Room, County Office Building, 725 McDowell Road, Asheboro, NC.
Commissioners Frye, Kemp, Davis, Holmes and Mason were present. The purpose of the meeting
was to hold a public hearing on proposed zoning ordinance amendments.
Hal Johnson, Planning and Zoning Director, gave a historical review of the Randolph County
Zoning Ordinance. He then presented the following three proposed amendments under consideration,
which will affect only new development:
1. NEW DEFINITIONS:
Minor Subdivision: A subdivision with three or fewer owner -occupied lots created for the
purpose of sale or building development. The Planning Director is authorized to approve
minor subdivisions upon review and determination that the subdivision meets the standards 6
this Ordinance.
Major Subdivision: A subdivision with four or more owner -occupied lots created for the
purpose of sale or building development.
Current regulations define a minor subdivision as fewer than six lots. Minor subdivisions are
allowed by right in all of the County's residential zoning districts.
2. NEW ZONING DISTRICT: RESIDENTIAL EXCLUSIVE (RE & RE -CU):
The most restricted zoning classification currently is Residential Restricted (RR). This zoning
district allows many types of single-family residential dwellings (site -built, modular, and double -
wide mobile homes) with the exception of single -wide mobile homes. The purpose of the new
RE zoning district is to allow only major single-family residential subdivisions intended to
accommodate site -built residential dwellings (to include off -frame modular homes as defined by
this Ordinance). The new RE district would be generated upon major subdivision rezoning
requests.
3. NEW ZONING DISTRICT: MUNICIPAL AIRPORT OVERLAY (MAO & MAO -CU)
The purpose of this overlay district is to establish height regulation within designated approach
zones (developed and approved by the Asheboro Airport Authority after appropriate engineering
studies) to the municipal airport and to prohibit other obstructions that could endanger the lives
of airport users and property or occupants of land within the specialized airport overlay district.
A special use permit would be required for structures over 35 feet. Public landfills, septage
application sites used for anything other than agricultural operations, and similar activities shall
be prohibited in the MAO district.
Chairman Frye opened the public hearing.
Walter Gordon, Asheboro Airport Authority, stated that the FAA recommends that landfills
and septage applications not be allowed within five miles of an airport because they attract birds,
which can bring down aircraft. He requested that the overlay district, which consists of an
approximate three-mile radius from the runway, be extended to a five -mile radius from the runway.
He also requested that the amendment dealing with requirements for structures more than 199 feet
add the language, "or more than one foot above the runway for each 100 feet distance from the
runway within 20,000 feet of the runway."
Vernon Cagle, SR 1163, asked if zoning for that road would remain the same, and Mr.
Johnson told him that it would.
Lewis Cheek asked that the RE definition add wording to say it would not affect existing
zoning. Mr. Johnson said that such a statement is already in the ordinance.
Gene Pittman opposed changing minor subdivisions from five to three lots, stating that it
would close the door to small investors who can only buy small tracts of land.
Sherie Williard opposed reducing minor subdivisions from five to three lots because it would
take away options.
Connie Pittman also opposed reducing the size of minor subdivisions because she has four
children and wants to divide the land so that each child receives one tract. She said the new
regulation would not allow her to divide it into more than three tracts. Mr. Johnson told her that
division of land to heirs is exempt from zoning.
Chairman Frye closed the public hearing. The Board discussed Mr. Gordon's requests for
change in wording concerning the MAO district and instructed Mr. Johnson to work with Mr.
Gordon to prepare revised wording of this amendment for their consideration at their February 1
meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Darrell L. Frye, Chairman Phil Kemp
J. Harold Holmes
Robert O. Mason
Robert B. Davis
Alice D. Dawson, Clerk to the Board