Date: Mon, 9 May 2016 20:12:59 +0000
From: Debra Henzey
Subject: Rezoning Signs Alert Chatham Residents to June 6 Public Hearing
Media Contact: Jason Sullivan, 919-542-8233
Rezoning Signs Alert Chatham Residents to June 6 Public Hearing
PITTSBORO- Beginning May 16, residents in parts of Chatham County will see signs posted to announce a public hearing on June 6 at 6 pm as part of the process to apply zoning to all currently unzoned areas. The public hearing will be held in the Historic Courthouse in Pittsboro.
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted late last year to move ahead with zoning all unzoned areas in the county’s planning jurisdiction. “Starting May 20, we will mail letters to all affected property owners,” said Planning Director Jason Sullivan. This rezoning effort covers 11,600 parcels and 388 square miles.
All currently unzoned properties are proposed to be zoned either:
* R-1 which allows low to moderate density residential development in residential and agricultural areas
* R-5 which provides much lower density development in areas adjacent to rivers and streams
Detailed information on the proposed rezoning, including maps and frequently asked questions, can be found at: www.chathamnc.org/CountyZoning .
Bona fide farms, as defined by state law, are exempt from zoning regulations as long as they continue that use. However, the zoning of unzoned areas may affect future changes in business uses.
People who operate businesses in the areas to be zoned will have their existing business grandfathered in as a non-conforming use. This means that they may continue the existing operation as is, even though the proposed rezoning would make the businesses “non-conforming.”
The Planning Department needs to document all the businesses operating in the areas to be zoned. To collect this data, they have provided a one-page form in the letters to property owners that can be completed by business owners.
Chatham County asks people to provide input at the public hearing, either by speaking or providing written comments. “We ask all speakers to bring written copies of their comments. We will distribute all copies of written comments to board members before a decision is made,” Sullivan said.
After the public hearing, the issue goes to the Planning Board for review, possibly in July 2016. The Planning Board’s recommendation will go to the Board of Commissioners, no earlier than August 2016.
If you have additional questions about the proposed zoning of unzoned areas, contact Dylan Paul, 919-542-8284 or <
In keeping with the NC Public Records Law, e-mails, including attachments, may be released to others upon request for inspection and copying.
Debra Henzey
Chatham County Director of Community Relations
919-542-8258
Cell 919-548-4662