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County residents urge retaining floodplain protections; commissioners schedule review and public hearings
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Summary
Multiple residents and environmental stakeholders opposed proposed changes to Macon County's floodplain ordinance at the May 14 meeting; commissioners agreed to form a planning sub-committee and set public hearings July 9 to consider soil-erosion and watershed ordinance changes.
Dozens of residents and stakeholders urged the Macon County Board of Commissioners May 14 to retain the county's existing floodplain protections and continue robust Planning Board involvement in any rewrite.
Speakers representing conservation and local businesses — including Jason Love of Mainspring Conservation Trust, real-estate agent Kelly Penland, former Planning Board member Susan Ervin and eco-tour operator Angela Faye Martin — said the current ordinance is the product of years of work, protects wildlife and supports resilience and local businesses. Bill McLarney offered a detailed list of reasons against modifying the ordinance; several speakers urged the board to keep the Planning Board centrally involved rather than removing citizen oversight.
Conversely, Town Councilman David Culpepper and others argued parts of the county ordinance limit reasonable use of private property and recommended adopting the state model. Commissioner Young described three specific proposals he planned to raise for discussion: align the erosion-control threshold with the state (from a half-acre to one acre), allow a one-strike clause in the Watershed Ordinance to permit RV parks in certain circumstances, and amend the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance to allow fill dirt in limited situations. Planning Director Joe Allen suggested circulating a redlined draft and forming a small sub-committee.
Board action: Commissioners agreed to create a sub-committee of two commissioners and two Planning Board members to review the redlined proposals and receive outside input. The board also scheduled public hearings for July 9 on the Soil Erosion Ordinance and proposed watershed-model changes; motions to set the hearings passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Residents say changes could weaken floodplain protections, harm wildlife and local eco-tourism businesses; proponents say aligning with state rules may ease property access and reduce penalties.
What happens next: The sub-committee will review the redline, gather feedback and present recommendations before the July hearings. The public hearings will be the formal forum for the public record and any subsequent board action.
Provenance: Topic introduced at SEG 002 (public comment) and discussed and decided in SEG 006 (sub-committee and hearing scheduling).