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Butner council approves smaller townhome lot size amid resident concerns
Summary
Council voted to amend the town's land development ordinance to allow townhome lots as small as 1,400 square feet and reduce minimum building separation to 10 feet; residents and planning staff debated livability, market demand and future flexibility.
Butner's council on Monday approved a text amendment to the town's Land Development Ordinance that reduces the minimum townhome lot size from 3,500 square feet to 1,400 square feet and the minimum separation between buildings from 20 feet to 10 feet.
The amendment, introduced by a private developer's engineering representative, was framed as a way to make townhomes financially feasible in Butner and to align the town's regulations with nearby municipalities. "We feel this text amendment would allow, or make townhomes a more viable option in the town of Butner as a housing choice," said the engineer representing Northwell Development and Thomas Hutton Engineering Company.
Residents who spoke during the public comment period said the smaller lots would change Butner's character. "I think you're just trying to crunch too many houses and too little space, and it's just not what Butner is about," one resident said, urging the council to reconsider permanent adoption of the 1,400-square-foot minimum.
Planning staff told the council they had reviewed other municipalities and found many jurisdictions do not impose a minimum townhome lot size; staff also noted that Butner has not seen new townhomes since 2003. The staff presentation emphasized that townhomes can increase homeownership options while often providing common green space rather than large private yards.
Council members debated whether to make the change a permanent LDO standard or retain flexibility to revisit the rule for individual developments. The planning board recommended approval, and a council member moved to adopt the resolution; the council voted by voice and the motion carried.
The ordinance amendment will take effect according to the town's standard ordinance-adoption procedures; council members said they expect to revisit standards if the first developments under the new rules prove unsuitable.
The planning board's recommendation, staff reports and the council's motion were all read into the record during the meeting.
