Planning Commission adopts comprehensive 2026 Zoning Ordinance, map and subdivision rules

The Mecklenburg County Planning Commission on March 19 unanimously adopted a comprehensive 2026 Zoning Ordinance, a new Official Zoning Map and a replacement Subdivision Ordinance that together repeal and replace the county's prior zoning and subdivision rules. The new code consolidates residential districts into R-1, R-2 and R-3, creates a Mixed-Use (MU) district and a Planned Unit Development (PUD) district, and revises permitted uses, setbacks, building-height limits, parking, landscaping and signage, as well as administrative procedures for special permits, variances and site-development plans. The motion to adopt was made by Charles Reamy and seconded by Randy Crocker; all members present voted aye.

Staff and interested parties presented before the vote. Representative Rachel Falkenstein of 3TP presented a PowerPoint and said the new ordinance "will have new setbacks and new zoning district codes to be in compliance with the updated state codes." Laura Reid, a land development manager with Microsoft, spoke in support but asked the commission for "additional guidelines that make sure that we have a clear framework and expectations for what development looks like in Mecklenburg County moving forward," and requested clarity on nonconformance and grandfathering provisions, flexibility on special-exception expiration dates, and minor modifications to approved special-exception plans. Residents raised concerns about outreach and potential effects of large utilities and data-center development; one resident asked how community meetings were advertised and was told staff used social media, newspaper and radio but attendance was low. Zoning Administrator Josh Tanner responded to a landowner question about buildability, saying that "if you already have a lot that is already plotted out, and you can meet certain setbacks, you would be able to build" and noted changes to setback measurements in some zones.