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Central looks to streamline development rules with new Unified Development Ordinance
Summary
Town planner Mike Foreman told council the proposed Unified Development Ordinance merges two existing documents, adds a color‑coded flowchart and small technical edits to make permitting and development clearer; council approved a motion to place the UDO on first reading at the next meeting.
Town planner Mike Foreman told Central Town Council the draft Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) consolidates the town’s land‑development regulations and zoning rules into a single development code intended to make permitting clearer and more consistent.
Foreman described the UDO as the result of over a year of work to combine two regulations that "didn't talk to each other in certain aspects." He said the document is not a wholesale rewrite but does include "tweaks under the hood" to clarify processes and added a color‑coded flowchart intended to help laypeople follow permitting steps. "If anybody has a question about something that's going on in the town development related, it's much easier now or will be much easier to open this document to find what you're looking for," Foreman said.
Council members praised staff and the planning commission for the work. One council member highlighted new tree protections and riparian buffer language added to address past development shortcomings. Foreman said the town has already updated the land‑use chapter, which is usually the most labor intensive, and that the remaining chapters could be reviewed over a period of months. He noted the town could use assistance from a Clemson University student team to reduce staff time and cost.
Mayor and council members agreed to schedule the UDO for a first reading at the council’s next meeting; adoption will require a public hearing and a second reading. Foreman and other staff emphasized that existing properties and businesses would be grandfathered if they do not meet new standards.
Why it matters: A consolidated UDO is designed to reduce confusion for developers, staff and residents by putting development standards and zoning rules in one place, adding visual aids and clarifying tree, setback and parking requirements. The change could affect how future subdivisions, permits and site plans are reviewed and approved.
Closing note: The UDO draft is posted on the town’s website for public review; council indicated it will consider the first reading at the next scheduled meeting.
