Rocky Mount council approves ordinance to add 'pocket neighborhoods' to land‑use code

The Rocky Mount City Council voted to amend the city's land development code to allow 'pocket neighborhoods' — small clusters of single‑family homes or duplexes arranged around a shared courtyard — in denser residential districts and select office or institutional zones.

Joseph Bocoup, director of development services, told the council the amendment defines the new land use, requires a homeowners association to maintain common areas and sets development standards intended to encourage varied housing types, reuse of underutilized parcels and affordable housing opportunities. Bocoup said the regulations would establish height limits and other detailed standards as part of the implementing regulations.

Council members pressed staff on specifics during the public hearing. Councilman Harris asked about parking and whether a 48‑unit scheme would be handled as 24 duplexes or smaller multiplexes; Bocoup said the proposal would require a minimum of one parking space per dwelling unit, and developers could provide additional spaces. Bocoup said each pocket neighborhood would contain a minimum of four dwelling units and a maximum of 12.

Councilman Knight asked whether other municipalities had faced opposition to similar developments; Bocoup said he was not aware of specific opposition in nearby cities and that the standards aim to produce a predictable form that blends with existing neighborhoods.

With no members of the public speaking to the item, Councilman Blackwell moved to adopt the ordinance, Councilman Joyner seconded, and the measure carried by voice vote.

The ordinance directs staff to incorporate the new land‑use definitions and development standards into the zoning code; Bocoup said the implementing regulations would contain the detailed height and design limits.