Union County commissioners adopt resolution opposing House Bill 765

The Union County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution opposing provisions of House Bill 765 during its May 5 regular meeting, saying the measure would reduce local control over land-use, require minimum residential densities and create unsustainable obligations for local water and sewer systems.

County Manager Ron Matthews briefed the board on the bill before the vote, saying the proposal would “take away local government control, especially when it comes to planning and development.” Matthews told the board the measure would apply statewide and that draft resolutions opposing the bill were circulating across North Carolina.

Commissioner Brian Helms, vice chair, led the board’s public remarks opposing the bill. Helms cited provisions he said would require minimum densities “of at least 4 units per acre,” remove local design and public-comment authority in many rezoning processes, and impose accelerated review timelines that could result in automatic approvals if local governments miss short deadlines. He told the board those provisions would “create widespread high density residential development and strip the authority of this board to govern zoning.”

Helms also raised concerns about changes he said would affect statutory provisions including references to general statute 160D and to utilities statutes; he warned the bill could require public water and sewer systems to reserve capacity for proposed development and to produce expansion plans within 90 days in some cases. “This provision of this bill undoes that policy and takes that right away from you, the public,” Helms said, referring to the board’s prior policy requiring a bond referendum for new sewer plants.

A member of the public who signed up to speak earlier in the meeting, Richard Daunt of Waxhaw, urged the board to adopt the resolution. Daunt, who said he was speaking personally and not on behalf of his town board, told commissioners HB 765 “will decimate the ability of local governments to represent North Carolinians on issues of land use.” He also read campaign contribution figures tied to several bill sponsors as part of his remarks.

Several other commissioners described local impacts they expect if the bill becomes law, including accelerated demand for new schools and utilities and further loss of farmland. Commissioners noted that several Union County municipalities have already adopted or are considering resolutions opposing the bill.

Commissioner Helms moved adoption of the resolution. The motion carried; commissioners present voted in favor. The board also instructed staff to forward the resolution to the county’s legislative delegation and to continue monitoring amendments to HB 765.

The board’s action was framed as policy opposition; no state- or federally mandated action was taken by the county.