Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff urges keeping open-space identification and 'reasonable rules' language in LMO; commission moves amendment forward
Summary
Staff presented targeted edits to the Land Management Ordinance clarifying how common open space must be visually identifiable and recommended retaining a 'subject to reasonable rules and regulations' clause; public comment urged referencing owners associations and reducing discretionary 'may' language.
Staff asked the Planning Commission to consider edits to the Land Management Ordinance that clarify how common open space in subdivisions should be identified and managed. Missy (planning staff) summarized the changes: common open space must be distinguishable by design elements including, but not limited to, "signs, fencing, landscape, buffers, trail systems, pools, sports facilities, or grass lawns." She recommended retaining a clause that allows reasonable rules and regulations to qualify common open space uses.
Public commenter Chester Williams urged the commission to be specific about which body promulgates rules, suggesting language that references homeowners or property owners associations whose rules are recorded in Beaufort County land records. He also proposed replacing discretionary 'may' with 'shall' in select passages to limit staff discretion. Staff replied that the frequent use of 'reasonable' in the ordinance is intended to preserve necessary flexibility. The commission ultimately considered the clarification information and moved forward with the recommendation to town council as part of the broader package enabling Northpointe and related LMO amendments.
