Commissioners adopt amendment to Randolph County Watershed Protection Ordinance

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners voted to amend the county’s Unified Development Ordinance to update the Watershed Protection Ordinance and the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance in order to conform with required legislative updates and the state model watershed ordinance.

William Johnson, a county planning staff member, told the board the proposed change allows a slight increase in the amount of impervious surface allowed in designated watershed areas to bring the county’s ordinance into closer alignment with the state model.

Johnson said the Planning and Zoning Board considered the amendment at its meeting the prior Tuesday and unanimously recommended approval. “The Randolph County Watershed Protection Ordinance is a tool that allows staff to provide the public with a framework to successfully utilize property within the designated watershed while simultaneously protecting water quality and the environment,” Johnson said.

The board opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke for or against the amendment during that hearing. A commissioner moved to adopt the ordinance amendment, and another commissioner seconded. Following brief comments, the board approved the ordinance by voice vote.

The amendment fixes an out-of-date percentage in the county code that staff said was inconsistent with the state model watershed ordinance. Commissioners characterized the change as a technical update to reflect current state guidance rather than a broad policy shift.

The public hearing, motion and vote occurred during the board’s March session.