Wake County adopts UDO changes extending subdivision and permit timelines, creates youth care-home use

The Wake County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 20 adopted ordinance amendment OA04-25, changing several sections of the county’s Unified Development Ordinance to give applicants more time to complete preliminary subdivision plans and special-use permits and to create a discrete land-use category for residential youth care homes.

Terry Nolan of Planning, Development and Inspections told the Board the amendments are intended to reduce timing barriers for developers and to clarify ambiguous definitions. “So, beginning with OAO4-two-five, the purpose of, these amendments are to extend the validity of preliminary subdivision plans and special use permits, to amend the definition of building and structure to help differentiate between the 2, and to amend various standards for care homes, and add a new use for residential youth care homes that aligns with current trends and community plan,” Nolan said. Staff proposed extending preliminary subdivision validity from two to three years with a one‑time one‑year extension (four years total), and extending special-use permit validity from two years (plus six‑month extension) to three years (with a one‑year extension option), aligning that timeline with neighboring jurisdictions.

The amendments also clarify what constitutes an enclosed building (an enclosure defined as more than 50% enclosed) to distinguish buildings from open structures such as carports. For care homes, staff proposed removing an applicant requirement to identify the closest licensed family care home (staff will provide that information) and eliminating a minimum lot-area requirement that created barriers in open-space developments. The package establishes a youth care-home use: facilities serving one to six youths would be permitted by-right in residential districts; facilities serving seven or more youths would require a special-use permit to allow additional site‑specific review.

Vice Chair of the Planning Commission Ted Van Dyke told commissioners the Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend adoption of both the statement of consistency and the ordinance. Commissioners questioned staff about the scope of the problem — how often developers were bumping up against time limits — and Nolan replied the occurrences were “minimal” but staff wanted to be proactive. Planner Leila Ko said pre‑submittal meetings show a steady monthly interest in care‑facility applications and that the youth-care-home category responds to requests staff have processed under other care‑home standards.

The Board opened the public hearing on OA04-25, heard no speakers in person or online, and then voted first to adopt a statement of consistency and then to adopt the attached resolution approving OA04-25. Both motions passed by voice vote with ayes and no opposition.

What happens next: the ordinance was adopted as presented; staff recommended and the Board approved the package as consistent with the Wake County Comprehensive Plan and the Unified Development Ordinance.