Aldermen adopt Article 6 changes to align UDO with state statute and clarify minor modifications

The Kernersville Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Aug. 4 to adopt two text amendments to Article 6 of the town's Unified Development Ordinance.

Community Development Director Catherine Garner said the first change aligns language on delinquent administrative applications with North Carolina statute, changing the period before an administrative application becomes void from three months to six: "when an administrative application is placed on hold at the request of an applicant for a period of 6 consecutive months or more," Garner read from the proposed language. The amendment would require resubmittal and applicable fees if applicants fail to respond for the six-month period.

The second amendment adds to the list of modifications that staff may approve administratively, including a new item allowing limited changes to lot lines, lot sizes or lot configuration "provided the proposal meets the minimum lot dimensional standards of the base zoning district." Garner said the change reiterates that residential density may not be altered in accordance with state law and adds examples of engineering modifications that do not require a minor modification, such as adding or removing stormwater control measures or retaining walls arising from final engineering calculations.

Garner said planning board and staff recommended approval; no public commenters opposed the amendments. The board moved, seconded and adopted the ordinance unanimously. Staff described the changes as clarifications meant to reduce process delay while preserving safeguards and an "escape hatch" requiring full reapproval where a proposed change would alter the basic intent of a previously approved site plan.

Town staff will implement the change in administrative procedures and apply the clarified standards to future modification requests.