Easly City council discusses rezoning at 213 Pelser Highway and whether to extend UDO moratorium

At a May work session, the Easly City Council introduced the second reading of Ordinance 20 25 04 to rezone about 0.34 acres at 213 Pelser Highway from General Residential (GR2) to Office/Institutional, and held an extended discussion about Ordinance 20 25 05, a proposed moratorium to pause acceptance, review and action on zoning, development and construction permits while a new Unified Development Ordinance is finalized.

Council members and staff debated whether the moratorium period should be three months as written in the ordinance or extended to six months to allow more time for the planning commission and staff to complete edits. One council member said, “I think 3 months is probably too tight,” while another urged caution about rushing and recommended a six-month extension with the option…