Title
New Carrboro Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Project Update
PURPOSE: This information item will provide the Town Council with an update and continued discussion on the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) rewrite with the project consultant, CodeWright. The session will highlight major findings from the Code Diagnosis, engagement with the development community and advisory boards and commissions and report next steps for the project.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
_X_ Race/Equity _X_ Climate _X_ Comprehensive Plan _X_Other
Council Direction Statement
Developing a new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) is a key step in implementing Carrboro Connects, the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, along with related small area plans. Strategy 4.1 in the Land Use Chapter emphasizes the importance of updating the Land Use Ordinance to align with the Comprehensive Plan’s goals. A recording of the previous work sessions and supporting materials are available in associated agenda files from two meetings: Oct. 14, 2025, (25-091 <https://carrboro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7699469&GUID=91040AFA-984F-4D6E-8373-CC701C0EEDF2&Options=&Search=>) and Nov. 12, 2025, (25-108 <https://carrboro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7729204&GUID=F64D8029-7C20-4E49-8F13-61B99A62A803&Options=ID|Text|&Search=New+Carrboro+UDO>). The Race and Equity and Climate pocket questions have been reattached for Council’s continued consideration.
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Information
INFORMATION: Part of a series of ongoing updates to the Town Council on the development of the new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), this item is intended to provide the opportunity to continue to review the findings from the Code Diagnosis and subsequent stakeholder outreach with the consultant team. After completion of the Code Diagnosis in early May, advisory boards and commissions were engaged by CodeWright on May 21 and June 4. CodeWright also held a developers’ interest meeting, reaching out to the original group from February 2025.
Progress to date can be reviewed at www.engage.carrboronc.gov/udo <http://www.engage.carrboronc.gov/udo>. Specific links to summaries by CodeWright and McAdams are linked below for reference.
• Code Diagnosis (May 5, 2026)
Carrboro_UDO_Code_Diagnosis_Public_Review_Draft.pdf <https://hdp-us-prod-app-carr-engage-files.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/3417/7807/2204/Carrboro_UDO_Code_Diagnosis_Public_Review_Draft.pdf>
• Summary Diagnostic Tables of Current LUO (Sep 30, 2025)
Carrboro_LUO_Section-by-Section_review_table_9-30-25.pdf <https://hdp-us-prod-app-carr-engage-files.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/4617/5933/6328/Carrboro_LUO_Section-by-Section_review_table_9-30-25.pdf>
• McAdams Climate & Equity Analysis (Apr 18, 2025)
2025-04-18_McAdams_Code_Diagnosis.pdf <https://hdp-us-prod-app-carr-engage-files.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/6817/5933/6328/2025-04-18_McAdams_Code_Diagnosis.pdf>
• Market Analysis (Sep 26, 2025)
Town_of_Carrboro_Combined_Draft_9.26.25.pdf <https://hdp-us-prod-app-carr-engage-files.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/6317/5933/6329/Town_of_Carrboro_Combined_Draft_9.26.25.pdf>
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no fiscal impacts associated with the discussion of the UDO project.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Town Council receive the update, engage with the consultant, and provide feedback or direction as appropriate.
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