Moore County sets public hearing on UDO food business changes

Moore County Commissioners scheduled two public hearings for Nov. 17 and approved a lift-van purchase at the Nov. 3 meeting.

Property owner Roderick Thomas Byrd asked to rezone 2.33 acres from RA40 to neighborhood business (B-1). The property is on North Carolina Highway 211, where Byrd has begun constructing a pole barn for storing, processing and selling meat, produce and grain from local farms. The county’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) does not include a use combining food processing and retail sales, prompting a related request for a text amendment that would permit those activities by right in the B-1 district.

The Cape Fear Nicks Creek WS-IIIP watershed within Byrd’s property limits nonresidential development to 24% built-upon area. It is outside of any flood zone and lies within half a mile of a Voluntary Agricultural District. The area is near residential and agricultural; but neighboring properties include commercial zoning, a solar farm, and a self-storage facility. The property is within the Highway Corridor Overlay District, which imposes supplementary commercial development regulations.

The planning board voted 6-0 on Oct. 1 to find the rezoning consistent with the county’s 2025 Land Use Plan and recommended approval.

The board will hold a public hearing on Nov. 17 to decide whether to establish a new use category and standards for local meat and produce processing and sales. Byrd initiated the UDO change.

The planning board unanimously recommended Byrd’s UDO change request.

Commissioners approved the purchase of a replacement transit van with a wheelchair lift for $103,535.76 from Model 1 Commercial Vehicles Inc. Including taxes, insurance, tags, decals, as well as camera removal and installation fees, the total purchase price reaches $107,968.66.

Moore County Transportation Services received a $119,815 FY2027 Bus and Bus Facility Grant to replace a van. The grant covers 80% federal funding at $95,852, 10% state funding at $11,981 and a 10% local match of $11,982, to be paid through contract user fees. Funding is available in the FY2027 grant program.

The county just purchased seven vans at the same price based on last year’s prices. Transportation Director Sonia Biggs said that directly after the pandemic, they paid $56k for the same vans.

The next meeting is Nov. 17 at 5:30.

Nov. 4, 2026

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