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Council removes local architectural standards for townhouses and ADUs to comply with state law
Summary
The council unanimously approved text amendments deleting townhouse and accessory-dwelling unit architectural standards from the Unified Development Ordinance after staff determined those standards conflict with NCGS 160D-702, which limits local regulation of exterior appearance for certain dwellings.
The Sanford City Council on April 7 adopted two text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance removing local architectural-appearance standards for townhouses and for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) after staff concluded those requirements conflict with state law.
Zoning Administrator Thomas Mierisch reminded Council that the items were presented at a March 17 public hearing and that the Planning Board unanimously recommended approval of both amendments. The first amendment deletes townhouse architectural standards (cited as §5.50.3 in local documents) to comply with NCGS 160D-702, which restricts local regulation of the exterior appearance of one- and two-family dwellings. The second amendment removes a section of §10.4 that imposed architectural standards on accessory dwelling units for the same reason. Council adopted ordinances amending the Unified Development Ordinance; motions to approve carried unanimously.
Next steps: The UDO will be updated to reflect the removals. Zoning Administrator Mierisch indicated the changes align local rules with state statutory limits; any further code changes will follow normal amendment procedures.
