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Winston council advances broad land‑use amendments after hearing on floodplain rules and ADUs
Summary
After a public hearing on proposed updates to its zoning, subdivision and comprehensive plan, the Winston City Council voted at first reading to advance Ordinance 21‑692 — which incorporates a state-recommended floodplain model ordinance, permits accessory dwelling units in residential zones and adds subdivision inspection authority — to a second reading.
The Winston City Council on first reading moved forward Ordinance 21‑692, a package of legislative amendments that would update the city’s zoning and subdivision codes and the comprehensive plan to reflect state guidance and local priorities.
City planner (presenting) told the council the package bundles three principal areas: allowing accessory dwelling units as permitted uses in residential zones, adopting and folding in the Department of Land Conservation and Development’s model floodplain ordinance language, and a set of subdivision changes that would let the city obtain private inspection reports of infrastructure at the developer’s expense to ensure long‑term durability.
“The state DLCD required us to adopt a new floodplain model ordinance,” the city planner said, describing the choice to supplement rather than entirely replace Winston’s existing code so the city could retain local provisions while closing state‑identified gaps. The planner said changes include clarified floodplain definitions (for example, base flood elevation), a variance procedure for certain accessory structures, and additional language governing regulatory floodways.
Councilors raised practical concerns about how the floodplain rules would affect recreational‑vehicle parks where people live long‑term. A council member asked whether federal or state law forces RVs out after 180 days; the planner and staff referenced the NFIP/Code of Federal Regulations language requiring 180‑day limits in floodplain situations and said the city will seek legal clarification on enforcement and grandfathered circumstances.
“Some of the RV parks contain residents who have lived there for years,” a council member said, pointing to potential social and enforcement challenges. A staff member urged focusing on public‑safety reasons for any enforcement and noted observable signs — deflated tires, permanent decks — that undermine the premise that RVs are ‘road ready.’
On subdivision changes, staff said the city lacks capacity to perform all construction inspections and added language (page 37 of the draft) would allow the city to require compaction tests, sewer camera inspections and other reports at the developer’s expense when public works requests them. Staff argued that requiring those reports would help prevent premature failures in newly built streets and utility systems.
The amendments to the comprehensive plan include new wetland‑mitigation language and policies to preserve sensitive natural features; staff also flagged two parcels near Douglas High School as potential industrial opportunity sites as part of the update, noting those would be owner‑triggered plan amendments.
After discussion and no public testimony to the hearing beyond the published record, the council voted to move Ordinance 21‑692 to second reading at a future meeting.
What happens next: Council will receive additional legal clarifications and scrivener edits the planning staff pledged to provide; second reading and final adoption are scheduled for the council’s next meeting unless staff requests further delay.
