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Council adopts 22.96% increase to Planning Department administrative fees
Summary
The Town Council approved Ordinance 3137 to raise Planning Department administrative fees by about 22.96%, increasing average cost recovery from just under 50% to roughly 60%; council included a 50% discount for conditional zoning within character districts.
Southern Pines — The Town Council voted July 22 to adopt Ordinance 3137, updating the Planning Department’s administrative fee schedule to reflect rising costs since 2019.
Planning Director PJ Greve told council the proposed schedule increases fees by 22.96%, reflecting Consumer Price Index changes from 2019 through 2024. Greve said the 2019 schedule recovered just under 50% of the department’s average review costs; the updated schedule will recover about 60%.
Greve also highlighted a policy incentive: conditional zoning applications filed within an adopted character district — such as West Southern Pines once the district is finalized — would receive a 50% discount on conditional zoning fees. Council opened the matter for public comment and received none.
Council then moved to adopt Ordinance 3137 to update the administrative fees as presented; the motion passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: The change shifts more of the direct review cost burden toward applicants and aims to align fees with staff time and expenses. Staff said the update will simplify the fee schedule and reduce the number of line items.
Next steps: The ordinance takes effect as adopted; staff will implement the updated fee schedule and apply the conditional zoning discount where appropriate.
