Moore County cuts residential setbacks, approves utility meter contract and waste rate increase

On April 21, Moore County Commissioners reduced front setbacks to 30 feet, approved a $653,984 water meter replacement plan, and extended waste services with a 2% rate increase through 2031 while addressing drought concerns and public safety updates.

Senior Planner Danielle Orloff reviewed the request to consider Unified Development Ordinance Amendments to Chapter 5 – Dimensional Standards, Section 5.1, Table of Area and Setbacks to reduce minimum front principal building setbacks from 40’ to 30’ in all residential zoning districts.

Setback requirement comparisons show Lee County has 30’ and Harnett has 35’ minimums.

The planning board said the change would prevent people from looking into other people’s backyards, and setbacks used to be shorter.

“We are getting ready to look at the entire UDO,” Commissioner Tom Adams said at the April 7 meeting about the reasoning for not waiting for when the Uniform Development Ordinances would soon be reviewed.

At the April 7 meeting, Chair Nick Picerno said he assumed a builder ran into the issue of constructing more front yards than backyards and consulted a planning board member.

General Contractor and planning board member Ron Jackson said they had to add 15 feet to the 30 or 40-feet setbacks because property lines begin at 15 feet. “This is a minimum…One customer wanted it in the middle…It helps with septic systems because there is no sewer in the county,” he said about having a service area for septic systems.

Vice-Chairman Jim Von Canon said the larger backyards served as a place for children to play.

In new business, the board approved Moore County Public Utilities Director Brian Patnode’s request to enter into a $653,984 contract with Utility Solutions & Automation, LLC to replace 18,000 defective and outdated meters. The new meters are compatible with the Badger Meter system.

Patnode said the county was in a severe drought. They are monitoring wells, and the aquifer dropped a few feet, but they had no immediate concerns and were praying for rain.

Commissioners approved a one-time 2% increase amendment for waste disposal costs with Republic Services of North Carolina, LL. This raises the rate from $64.68 to $65.97 per ton. The adjustment covers hauling rates for county-collected waste, lowering the cost to $41.15 per ton for the first 6,000 tons annually, with a higher rate of $44.48 per ton for any additional volume.

The amendment ensures waste disposal services through 2031.

During public comments, John Misiaszek said President George Washington had been against political parties because they developed portals for evil wills. Misiaszek said there were 30% more unaffiliated registered voters in North Carolina than in any other party. He said unaffiliated voters should be allowed to run for office. Also, he suggested a tax exemption for medical providers to drive them to North Carolina to satisfy shortages.

During commissioners’ comments, Adams said he was proud of the Daughters of the American Revolution for honoring Revolutionary War patriots with a 250^th anniversary of America plaque.

Von Canon said the public needed to know the drought exacerbated fire hazards and to make sure pets had plenty of water.

Commissioner John Ritter said it was important to remember history to drive citizens to continue preserving the Republic.

Picerno recognized Moore County Schools Interim Superintendent Jennifer Purvis’ approval to utilize the sheriff’s department in supplying schools with security officers. “It’s gonna be a good thing for Moore County.”

The next meeting is a special meeting with the planning board at 9 a.m. on May 4.

April 22, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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