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Commissioners adopt ADU and subdivision recreation/buffer text amendments to implement comp‑plan goals
Summary
The board approved two land‑development text amendments: one permitting detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) with development standards and another adjusting active/passive recreation requirements for major subdivisions (from 10% active to 5% active/5% passive) and strengthening streetscape buffers along state roads.
The Granville County Board of Commissioners adopted two land‑development text amendments on June 15 after the county planning director presented each proposal and the planning board’s unanimous recommendations.
Planning Director Barry Baker said the first amendment would allow detached accessory dwelling units on residential lots that already contain a principal dwelling and would establish development standards to permit legal ADUs and better align with the county’s comprehensive plan goals to increase housing diversity. Baker noted the planning board had held a May 21 hearing and recommended the amendment 7–0.
On the second amendment, Baker explained the rewrite would change the recreation open‑space requirement for new major subdivisions from a minimum of 10% active recreation to a split of 5% active and 5% passive recreation, clarify definitions of active and passive recreation, and increase the depth of streetscape buffers along state‑maintained roadways while providing options for how buffers are installed or preserved. He said the change seeks to prevent developers from counting stormwater or wetlands as active recreation and to promote connectivity and preserved vegetation where possible; the planning board recommended the text amendment 7–0 with a minor technical change allowing surveyors and civil engineers to prepare landscape plans alongside registered landscape architects.
Commissioner May asked for and adopted the planning board’s written consistency statement as part of the motion before the board approved both amendments by voice vote.
Baker said public notices required by local and state law were completed and that the amendments implement comp‑plan goals to protect the county’s rural character while improving open‑space connectivity and recreational amenities in new development.
