Moore County public hearing could ease major subdivision and stormwater restrictions

The Moore County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the Old Courthouse in Carthage to remove the last barriers to rural ambiance and heritage, destroying major subdivisions and residential sprawl.

Right now, major subdivisions require a special use permit. That process ensures the subdivision receives the rigor of public transparency. The proposed change removes this transparency. If approved, the public can only challenge major subdivisions after the fact and through a laborious process often requiring appeals in court. While the planning board voted 7 to 1 opposing these changes, the commissioners are not bound by their vote or recommendation.

The second issue is stormwater management. The proposal is to eliminate the requirement of developers to present a comprehensive and vetted stormwater management plan with the subdivision plan. Stormwater management is likely the single biggest issue with new major subdivisions today, and those plans are vetted. Can you imagine the outcome developers can avoid being transparent?

The chairman claims no one knows what is expected when developing or building in the county. Yet we have a detailed, 261-page ordinance which clearly lists the requirements in plain English.

The chairman’s real issue is that the current ordinance restricts developers from running wild in the county. The chairman claims the Uniform Development Ordinance (UDO) and Land Use Plan do not align. Yet the UDO currently protects our ambiance and heritage from uncontrolled growth with vigorous oversight and transparency requirements—exactly as the Land Use Plan requires. The chairman claims only a small percentage of our land is open to major subdivisions. Yet the current UDO allows all land to be rezoned. 

Make no mistake, the planning department is not dreaming up these changes. These changes are driven by the chairman of the board under the guise of private property rights. Yet he fails to acknowledge that you, the current resident and property owner in the county, have property rights—the quiet use and enjoyment of your land. He fails to realize that it is this irreproachable law which allows him to exercise any zoning authority. His actions show he holds the property rights of an out-of-state developer, who won’t live on the land they develop, are more important than yours. 

Your attendance at these meetings is critical. Without your voice, these boards only hear the side of development. Without your scrutiny, these boards are allowed to make poorly informed decisions. Without your attendance, these boards assume you are ok with the changes.

Stay engaged. Your voice is making a difference!

“Change is inevitable, Growth is optional.”

Monitor BOC meeting agendas at: https://www.moorecountync.gov/129/Agendas-Minutes

Check out our website, moorefamilyfarms.org for blogs and reference materials.

Oct. 11, 2026

R.A.T: Rezoning Action Team

https://moorefamilyfarms.org/about

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