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Council approves zoning ordinance clarifications including sidewalk and RV rules
Summary
The council voted to adopt multiple text amendments to the Morganton Zoning Ordinance to clarify lot and sidewalk rules, correct a height table error, and define emergency recreational‑vehicle use following storms; Planning and Zoning Commission recommended unanimously.
The Morganton City Council on April 7 adopted a package of zoning ordinance text amendments intended to clarify several development standards, including sidewalks, sign heights, lot sizes, and emergency use of recreational vehicles (RVs).
Wendy Kato, mayor pro tem, told the council the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the proposed edits on March 13 and recommended unanimous approval. The changes are intended to align ordinance language with the Imagine Morganton 2040 comprehensive plan and to fix typographical and measurement inconsistencies in the existing code.
One clarified item addresses sidewalk placement within required landscape yards. Kato said the ordinance will permit sidewalks to cross a required landscaping area at an approximately perpendicular angle (to meet ADA access needs) but prohibits placing sidewalks parallel to the street inside the required street‑yard landscaping so the planting area remains functional. The amendment also outlines the mix and spacing of trees and shrubs required for buffer yards when nonresidential development abuts residential property.
The package also includes a corrected height limit table and tighter wording on how and when RVs may be used as temporary dwelling units after an emergency event. Planning and Zoning Commission edits to the emergency‑RV language were included before the council vote.
Council approved the amendments by voice vote.
