Planning staff schedules Oak Grove rezoning public hearing; recommends LED streetlight standard in UDO

Sarah Arbour of Harnett County Development Services briefed commissioners on two items scheduled for the July 21 regular meeting: a partial rezoning request and a text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

Rezoning: Staff said the rezoning request would change roughly 14.85 of 68.3 acres from RA-40 to RA-30 on a property on Oak Grove Church Road in Neals Creek Township. The site consists of two tracts used for agriculture with wooded areas, a pond and an unnamed stream. Staff noted the property has split zoning (about 54 acres already RA-30) and that public water and suitable site distances are available; annual average daily traffic on the road was reported at about 1,700 trips. The planning board reviewed the application and voted 4'1 to deny the rezoning, citing concerns about compatibility with the land-use classification and surrounding agricultural uses; nearby residents raised traffic and compatibility concerns. Staff recommended scheduling a public hearing at the July 21 meeting.

UDO text amendment: Staff proposed revising two sections of the UDO (Article 5 sections 8.3 0.4 c and 11.6 0.2 b 4 as cited in the packet) to update streetlight standards. A local board of adjustment member and retired Duke Energy employee, Walter Massey, notified staff that the existing standard for a 175-watt mercury vapor light is outdated. Staff coordinated with a Duke Energy representative and proposed a new standard of a 50-watt LED light. The planning board voted 5'0in favor of the text amendment. Staff said the change would apply to new installations only and would not require replacement of existing lights until end of life.

Commissioners had no additional questions and staff confirmed the hearing schedule and placement of the items on the upcoming meeting agenda.