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New Carrboro Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Project Update Follow-Up Work Session
PURPOSE: This work session is to 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 completed code diagnosis and examine recent state legislative changes that influence local land use and development regulations.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity ____ 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 session and supporting materials are available in the October 14, 2025, Town Council agenda (25-091 <https://carrboro.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7699469&GUID=91040AFA-984F-4D6E-8373-CC701C0EEDF2&Options=&Search=>). The Race and Equity and Climate pocket questions have been reattached for Council’s continued consideration.
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Information
INFORMATION: This item is 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 discuss the findings from the code diagnosis with the consultant team in a more informal setting.
During the previous work session on October 14, Council discussion focused on several key themes:
• Prioritization and balance of climate and affordable housing incentives.
• Enhancing predictability and clarity in the ordinance and development process.
• Reducing the reliance on special-use-permits by shifting projects toward conditional rezonings followed by zoning permits.
• Expanding the range and types of commercial uses to help diversify the tax base, reducing tax burden on residential properties, and create more local employment opportunities.
• Identifying tools to strengthen staff capacity in guiding developers and property owners through the development process.
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.
• 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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