HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_1221Warren expressed thanks to the commissioners and to the planning board. He said the hearings
followed the democratic process, and all public comments were welcomed.
Commissioner Robertson asked how the staff arrived at the boundaries or lines used in the map.
Warren said much of the WS -IV Watershed was in close proximity to Lake Norman, and this
area was already identified. He said the area had high growth (orange color) and much of it wasn't
served by public utilities. Warren said minimum lot sizes were created in conjunction with a nonpublic
utility standpoint. He said the health department had submitted a letter that listed reasons to have an
increase in the minimum lot size. Warren continued by saying neighboring counties
(Catawba/Cabarrus/Gaston) had also increased lot sizes. He said there was a "regional growth engine"
out of Charlotte, and it was especially affecting Davidson and Huntersville. Warren said Troutman was
becoming a popular growth site, too, and the planning staff was trying "to get ahead of the curve" with
the minimum lot sizes. Warren acknowledged that most of the Brawley School Road area had been
developed, but he said there were still a few remaining parcels that could be built out.
Commissioner Williams asked if Cabarrus and Catawba Counties had adopted a countywide
minimum lot size requirement or if their ordinances only applied to watershed areas.
Warren said countywide, but they were based upon certain characteristics (watersheds,
availability of public utilities, etc.) He said the concept of minimum lot sizes was not to increase
sprawl, but to encourage higher -density development in areas of the counties that were typically
serviced by public utilities and had a better grid system of roads. Mr. Warren said citizens in opposition
might speak about city sprawl. He said it was an "inverse" relationship having to deal with areas of the
county where no public utilities existed; however, there was control over land use regulations that
indirectly impacted traffic congestion and school capacity.
Commissioner Williams said the lot size requirements could then be implemented in any
designated area, for example, a high growth area.
Warren said there were certain concepts in watershed ordinances that were intended to protect
the runoff of certain lands that were more suitable for development. He said in some instances, for
example in lakeside developments, there appeared to be too much runoff in the lakes. Warren said the
board had recently approved an erosion control program.
Commissioner Johnson said he understood that if lot sizes were increased, development would
be pushed towards the cities for water sewer.
Warren said the lot size ordinance alone would not accomplish this; however, it was one of
many tools that could be used. He said in the future an overlay ordinance, with input from the public
and real estate community, would be presented.
Commissioner Johnson said the ability to push the growth towards municipalities was limited, if
the towns did not have an outer growth boundary.
Warren said an urban service boundary was helpful in the long-term future of a town's public
utility system. He said these were areas suitable for high density -- not the outlying county areas.
Commissioner Robertson said the board's intent, when growth recommendations were
requested, was to focus on the Brawley School Road and the Perth Road areas, especially the roads that
emptied into Perth. Robertson asked about the map and the orange overlay area extending beyond the
two road areas. He asked Mr. Warren if the staff thought the areas north of I-40 (depicted on the map)
actually needed to be included in the lot size requirement.
Warren said the property was rural and not as much in demand as some areas. He said it could
probably be left out of the area (orange), but it had potential for growth.
Deborah Bowen said (1) she lived on the Brawley peninsula (2) she was a part owner of EFC
Builders, and (3) she was a member of the Lake Norman Homebuilders Association. She asked how
slowing growth fit into the county's comprehensive plan, and she asked the rate of growth the county
was trying to achieve. Bowen said residential/commercial growth was "fluid," and if it were stopped or