Moore Commissioners delay subdivision rule changes “indefinitely” amid HB 765 fight

Commissioners delayed land use amendments to allow subdivisions within subdivisions at the Aug. 19 meeting indefinitely.

Chairman Tom Adams made the motion to let the amendment proposals “lie upon the table indefinitely.” The board voted unanimously in agreement based on the General Assembly’s potential vote on North Carolina House Bill 765 (HB 765) and the typical traffic, flooding, infrastructure and preservation issues.

Planning Director Ruth Pedersen presented amendments to the county’s Unified Development Ordinance that would allow major subdivisions in Planned Development Conditional Zoning districts and, through a special use permit, in the gated communities of Seven Lakes and Woodlake.

Both communities contain large subdivisions, but county rules prohibit new ones from being created. Pedersen said the changes would provide more flexibility for vacant parcels in those neighborhoods while still giving commissioners oversight.

Pedersen said the county encourages unique land uses.

“There are vacant parcels in these districts,” Pedersen said about Seven Lakes and Woodlake subdivisions, and she added that the amendment would allow major subdivisions within existing subdivisions but not allow apartments, manufactured home parks, or multi-family units.

“The intent is to recognize what is already there and to allow future requests to come back to this board for review,” Pedersen said.

The amendments bring the county’s conservation and conventional subdivision design standards in line with the updated use table.

The Planning Board voted 5-1 last month to recommend approval, with member Ray Daly opposing. Supporters said the change would give developers more options while maintaining county control over where growth occurs.

“Right now, we’re not building houses for individuals in Moore County. We’re building on someone said we’re going to be 150,000… ‘Build it and they will come.’ We have 1,083 apartments they’re fixing to turn the keys on in the next weeks,” Commissioner Jim Von Canon said about moving too fast without being prepared or knowing how the General Assembly will vote on HB 765.

HB 765 would sharply restrict local zoning authority, requiring state approval for development regulations, and force counties and towns to decide on applications within 90 days or see them automatically approved. The measure bars conditional agreements with developers, limits design standards except in historic districts, and mandates a minimum density of five to six housing units per acre. It also exposes local officials to greater legal liability and could retroactively void existing ordinances.

Vice Chairman Nick Picerno said he met with the Greater Seven Lakes Council last week and said current construction caused sediment run off into lakes, and the gated community still needed to install sewer lines, and traffic was too heavy. He proposed postponing until Land Use Plans (LUP) were complete, and the sources of sewer and water were identified.

When Picerno said the purpose of the LUP’s was to preserve the heritage of the community and prevent becoming the next Fayetteville or Greensboro, the audience erupted in applause.

The issue touches on broader debates about growth management and flooding in Moore County, where new housing and commercial developments have surged in recent years, especially in western and northern sections of the county.

Both Seven Lakes and Woodlake remain desirable residential areas, but their gated structures have raised questions in past planning discussions about access, density, and infrastructure.

During public comments, Lynne Goldhammer urged the community to protect its rural character and questioned the board about the origin of Moore Economic Development and whether it had been subject to a public vote.

Commissioner Tom Adams said the organization had been around a long time, that it was a public and private organization, and he did not know how it started.

Goldhammer asked if it began as Partners in Progress.

“Yes,” Adams said.

Goldhammer said Partners in Progress began as companies and realtors.

Goldhammer told the board that Agenda 21 was a communist movement to monitor people and make them live in 15-minute radius towns, hitting on the HB 765 issue of local communities losing control.

Chairman Kurt Cook had the police escort her out when she spoke after being told her three-minute allotted time was over, and she had continued speaking on her way to her seat.

Carol O’Reilly of Seven Lakes said she was attracted to the area’s charm and rural character with its modest small-town feeling and allowing subdivisions within subdivisions would destroy the attractiveness.

HB 765 Supporters

Support for HB 765 has come from its primary sponsor, Rep. Jeff Zenger, R-Forsyth, along with co-sponsors Reps. Jarrod Lowery, R-Robeson; Matthew Winslow, R-Franklin; Mark Brody, R-Union; and Carla Cunningham, D-Mecklenburg. The North Carolina Realtors Association has also backed the measure, citing the need to increase affordable housing by easing local development restrictions.

Other known sponsors include Reps. Jarrod Lowery, R-Robeson, Matthew Winslow, R-Franklin, Mark Brody, R-Union, and Carla Cunningham, D-Mecklenburg, demonstrating cross-party support.

Commissioners’ Meetings

The Moore County Board of Commissioners will convene for a Special Meeting on Wed., Aug., 20, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 US 15, West End, NC.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the following:

Future Capital Projects and Potential Bond Referendum

Grant Writing Options/Opportunities

Veterans Treatment Court Update

Utilities, Land Use Plan Updates/Discussion

Task Force Discussion

The board’s next regular meeting is Sept. 2 at 10:30.

Aug. 20, 2025

Stephanie M. Sellers