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Packed public hearing on Johnston County UDO draws farmers, builders and calls for more time
Summary
Hundreds attended a public hearing on Johnston County’s draft Unified Development Ordinance, with farmers, developers and small-business owners urging changes to proposed setbacks, buffers and livestock rules and asking the county to extend stakeholder review before adoption.
A public hearing on Johnston County’s draft Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) drew a lengthy crowd Jan. 20 and a steady stream of speakers who urged the Board of Commissioners to slow the process and give stakeholders more time to work through proposed setbacks, buffers and other new standards.
Planning Director Braston Newton opened the hearing by summarizing the UDO process and legal review timeline, saying outside counsel had completed reviews of several chapters and staff hoped to finish remaining legal review by Feb. 1. Newton described the UDO as the next step following the county’s land‑use plan and consultant engagement and invited public comment.
Developers and homebuilders told commissioners the draft could shrink buildable lot counts and raise costs. Donnie Adams, a local civil engineer and member of the Home Builders Association, highlighted changes…
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