Planning commission seeks legal review as commission considers agritourism, solar farms and waterfront lot-size rules

Matthews County planning staff reported July 17 that the planning commission voted to recommend adopting state code language regarding agritourism and asked staff to prepare a county ordinance to allow solar farms by right in specified zoning areas.

Why it matters: Zoning changes on agritourism and solar could affect farmland uses and renewable-energy siting. Planning staff told supervisors they would involve the county attorney, county administrator and planning commission chair in drafting recommendations to address possible legal issues.

The planning commission also asked for outside counsel funding after an 8-0 vote to seek legal guidance on subdivision and zoning questions; commissioners said the proposed subdivision of the Hole in the Wall parcel raised complexity because county minimum lot-size rules for waterfront business (one-acre minimum) make typical subdivision difficult without exemptions.

Supervisor discussion highlighted tradeoffs: one supervisor urged reconsidering the one-acre minimum for waterfront businesses, saying it restricts economic development and comparing nearby counties that used checklist-style requirements (septic, parking, water) rather than large minimum parcels. Planning staff said subdividing the subject parcel likely would create a more nonconforming lot and that an exemption from zoning and subdivision requirements would be necessary to subdivide under current rules.

Staff recommended that the board consider the planning commissions recommendations in a future public hearing and to authorize drafting proposed ordinances for review.