Southern Pines council denies character‑district design and related text/map amendments citing state law

The Southern Pines Town Council on Feb. 10 voted to deny proposed character‑district map and related UDO text amendments after staff and council concluded the packages would conflict with state law enacted in 2024.

Planning staff member James Broadwell told the council the character‑district design guidelines and tree‑protection packages were nearly ready for adoption in December 2024 but that Senate Bill 382 expanded the legal definition of "downzoning" to include certain nonconformities, creating a statutory inconsistency with the proposed text. "For that reason staff is recommending to deny this particular text amendment," Broadwell said.

Councilors moved, on a motion that cited UDO criteria and consistency with the 2040 comprehensive plan, to find map amendment Z‑4‑24 and text amendment 08‑04‑24 inconsistent with North Carolina session law 24‑57 and to deny them to prevent conflicts between the town UDO and the state statute. The motions carried by voice vote.

Council members and staff said the underlying work remains on the shelf and could be reintroduced if the legal environment changes. Several councilors praised the staff and consultant work while expressing frustration that legislative action had stalled local adoption.

What happens next: The character‑district guidance and related design work will remain available to staff and could be restarted if state law changes or if the town secures a statutory exemption; no local map or text changes were adopted that evening.