Title
Legislative Public Hearing on Land Use Ordinance Text Amendments Relating to Advisory Board and Commissions
PURPOSE: To request that the Town Council consider amendments to the Land Use Ordinance relating to advisory boards and commissions. A draft ordinance to amend the Land Use Ordinance has been prepared; the Town Council must receive public comment before taking action on a legislative matter.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity ____ Climate ____ Comprehensive Plan __X__Other
Council Direction Statement
Legislative public hearings are a necessary step for text amendments in accordance with North Carolina state statutes and Town regulations. The Council is required to adopt a statement of consistency as part of its decision. Racial Equity Pocket Questions are provided (Attachment E). Climate Action Pocket Questions are not applicable for this item.
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Information
INFORMATION: On October 15, 2024, the Town Council adopted amendments to the Land Use Ordinance and Town Code to consolidate certain advisory boards and commissions and to revise language relating to attendance policies and procedures. Since that time, staff have identified a few additional modifications to further refine the language in Article III of the Land Use Ordinance (LUO). A draft ordinance for the LUO has been prepared that, if adopted, would:
- add an annual training requirement for the Planning Board and Board Adjustment
- increase the membership of the Safe Routes to School Implementation Committee, which serves as a subcommittee of the Transportation, Mobility and Greenways Advisory Commission, from four to six and update the criteria for membership to require an association with one of the five schools in Carrboro (Morris Grove Elementary, McDougle Elementary, McDougle Middle, Carrboro Elementary, Carrboro High School).
- modify the criteria for membership, and the powers and duties of the Climate and Environmental Advisory Commission to include sustainability, resilience, tree protection and urban forests, heat resilience and biodiversity.
The Town Council must receive public comment before adopting an amendment to the Land Use Ordinance. The draft ordinance was referred to Orange County and presented at the September 4, 2025, Joint Advisory Board meeting. Comments are provided (Attachment D).
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: Public notice costs and staff time are associated with the review of text amendments for public hearing and advisory board review.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Town Council receive public input and consider adopting the resolution for consistency (Attachment A) and the draft ordinance (Attachment B).
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