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Morganton council adopts resolutions opposing three state bills that would change local zoning and building rules
Summary
The council passed resolutions opposing House Bill 765 and Senate Bills 492 and 451, citing concerns the measures would limit local control over development, impose minimum densities, reduce professional continuing education and permit single-exit stairways in some multi‑family buildings.
The Morganton City Council on May 5 adopted resolutions opposing three North Carolina bills that city staff said would alter local development, building and professional standards.
Wendy Smith, the cityplanning director, summarized the bills and told the council staff had prepared three resolutions. “House Bill 765 mainly deals with development regulations and changes to 160D,” Smith said, adding the bill “eliminates a lot of elements of site designs that we can regulate” and would, in staffview, set some statewide rules that limit local discretion.
Smith said provisions discussed in the meeting included a proposed statewide minimum density of four dwelling units per acre in cities under 125,000 population, limits on council review of subdivisions (making many approvals administrative), and new civil‑liability exposure for staff, appointed board members and council members. “It would eliminate council review of subdivisions and you only do that now when you're getting new city infrastructure,” Smith said.
Smith also described two related bills: Senate Bill 451, which would cut continuing education requirements roughly in half for professions including building inspectors, engineers, surveyors and contractors; and Senate Bill 492, which includes a provision allowing single-exit stairways in some multi‑family residential buildings under specified conditions. Smith said the cityfire marshal had expressed concerns about single-exit stair provisions after a recent fatality where an exit was blocked.
Councilmembers raised safety and implementation concerns during discussion. The council unanimously approved the resolutions by voice vote.
Smith said staff plans to follow up with legislators to discuss specific provisions and to offer suggested changes. The council noted a local newspaper quote in which Representative Warren Daniel expressed support for some of the measures to reduce housing costs; the council resolution and staff comments framed the action as a request for lawmakers to reconsider provisions that city staff said would undermine local planning and safety standards.
