Board of Commissioners Special Meeting

Town of Swansboro Board of Commissioners April 23, 2025, Special Meeting Minutes In attendance: Mayor William Justice, Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey Conaway, Commissioner Pat Turner, Commissioner Joseph Brown, Commissioner Douglas Eckendorf and Commissioner Tamara Pieratti. ********************************** Call to Order/Opening Prayer/Pledge The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm and Mayor Justice led the Pledge of Allegiance. The purpose of the meeting was to receive a general overview of the Town Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and CAMA Land Use Plan and provide input on updates or changes desired and to receive a presentation from WithersRavenel on the update process of the CAMA Land Use Plan Business CAMA Land Use Plan Overview Manager Jon Barlow opened the discussion by emphasizing the importance of understanding the differences between the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) as a regulatory document and the CAMA Land Use Plan as a policy guide. He encouraged board members to ask questions throughout the presentation. Planner Rebecca Brehmer provided an overview of the CAMA Land Use Plan, highlighting that it is a requirement for all 20 coastal communities under the Coastal Area Management Act. The plan, originally adopted in 2009 and updated in 2019, is recommended for review every 5–10 years to adapt to changing development conditions. Key guidance included the importance of aligning the plan with the community's vision, offering a clear roadmap for future growth, and avoiding restrictions that limit flexibility for decision-makers. The plan's core values emphasize charm, history, and community character; downtown development; traffic and highway concerns; environmental protection; growth management; preservation of open space and agriculture; and maintaining quality of life. Ms. Brehmer also reviewed the Future Land Use Map, explaining its importance in guiding planning board recommendations and board decisions. Commissioner Eckendorf shared that he felt parts of the Future Land Use Map didn’t match what is actually on the ground and suggested it may need updates to better reflect current conditions in the community. Greg Feldman from WithersRavenel explained that it is meant to be a general guide for future development, not a strict rule, and would only change with updates, which as mentioned should occur every 5–10 years. Page 1 of 2 Greg Feldman of WithersRavenel provided a detailed overview of the land use plan update process, describing it as a community-wide conversation that results in a shared vision for the future. He explained that the plan includes several key focus areas such as transportation, land use, housing, and parks and recreation, and serves as an advisory tool to guide future decision-making rather than a set of enforceable rules. The project team was introduced along with their areas of expertise, and the four main phases of the update process were outlined: data gathering and analysis, vision and plan development, draft plan creation, and final refinement and adoption. Mr. Feldman reviewed that community engagement was highlighted as a critical part of the process, with outreach efforts planned through local events, public surveys, and interactive mapping tools to gather input and ensure broad participation. In response to inquiries from the board, Mr. Feldman clarified that steering committee members are typically volunteers from within the town, while stakeholder interviews are conducted with individuals who hold specific knowledge or interests related to the community. He also noted that survey responses can be tracked geographically to help ensure representation across different areas and demographics. Planner Brehmer shared that an application for funding support was in progress through the Resilient Coastal Communities Program to hopefully help offset the cost of the plan update. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Overview Following a brief recess, Planner Brehmer provided an overview of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), emphasizing its role as the town’s primary regulatory document. She presented the zoning map and the table of permitted and special uses, and highlighted key sections including historic district guidelines, the flood damage prevention ordinance, and architectural standards for new commercial development. Discussion regarding food truck regulations was held with suggestions to explore the possibility of allowing food trucks in the gateway corridor, however no further direction was provided for immediate attention. Town Attorney Francis Rasberry clarified that such changes would require amendments to the UDO only, not the Comprehensive Plan. Adjournment On a motion by Commissioner Turner, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Conaway, the meeting adjourned at 7:59 pm. Page 2 of 2  6/30/2025 SWANSBORO CAMA LAND USE PLAN/UDO WORKSHOP Presenter: Rebecca Brehmer, CFM, CZO, Town Planner April 23, 2025 1 The Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) requires each of the 20 coastal counties to have a local COASTAL AREA Land Use Plan (LUP) in accordance with guidelines established by the MANAGEMENT Coastal Resources Commission ACT (CAMA) (CRC). The CRC’s guidelines provide a common format and a set of issues that must be considered during the planning process. 2 1  6/30/2025 SWANSBORO CAMAplan ❖Current LANDwas USE created and adopted in PLAN HISTORY 2009 ❖An update was completed and adopted in 2019 ❖Land use plans should be frequently updated every 5-10 years to reflect changing development conditions 3 Do’s and Don'ts of the CAMA Land Use Plan Do’s: Don’ts: ❖Communicate a community’s ❖Handcuff decision-makers during vision and goals for the future rezonings ❖Provide a roadmap for future rezonings, development, and ❖Infringe on existing uses or investment decisions buildings ❖Provide guidance on policy and regulatory updates ❖Invoke or force downzoning's ❖Guide the deliberate, slow ❖Create nonconformities transition of land uses and zoning ❖Change development regulations 4 2  6/30/2025 CURRENT CAMA LAND USE PLAN VALUES Charm, History, Traffic Environment Community, Downtown congestion and and Wetlands and Character NC Hwy 24 Managing Open Spaces Maintain Growth and Agriculture Quality of Life 5 6 3  6/30/2025 Updating the CAMA Comprehensive Land Use Plan 7 Tonight’s Discussion What is a Comprehensive Land Use Plan and why do we update? The WithersRavenel Community Planning Team’s proven Approach Tools we deploy to get the most out of engagement What is the final product? 8 4  6/30/2025 What is a Comprehensive Demographics Plan? Infrastructure Transportation & Utilities • Community conversation about shared vision for Environment, Community the future. Recreation, Comprehensive Character, and Open Plan Vision, and • Helps staff and leadership Spaces Goals prioritize community goals. Community • Required to enforce Land Use Services and zoning. Facilities Housing • Advisory, not regulatory. 9 THE PROJECT TEAM • Experienced project manager • Subject-specific expertise available as Additional project team members include Landscape needed Architects and Civil Engineers within Design + Planning Team • Local knowledge and familiarity with existing and planned conditions Greg Feldman, AICP, Adam Culpepper Daniel Rauh, AICP Brian Rubino, PG CZO Senior Planner, Senior Planner, Director of Coastal Project Manager Project Manager Project Manager Resources 10 5  6/30/2025 CAROLINA EXPERIENCE 11 Our Process Your Community Task 1 – Project Initiation and Analysis Data gathering, Mapping, Previous Plan Review, Construct Up-to-date Community Profile Community Tour & Kickoff Meetings Steering Committee (Project Champions) Stakeholder Interviews Board of Commissioners Update Task 2 – Visioning and Plan Development Community Survey Draft Plan Vision and Goals Steering Committee (Project Champions) Public Meeting Draft Future Land Use Map & Plan Action Items (Recommendations) Board of Commissioners Update Task 3 – Plan Refinement and Adoption Public Meeting and Adoption Draft Review Review Public Comment on Adoption Draft Present Plan to Planning Board and Board of Commissioners 12 6  6/30/2025 Comprehensive Plan Conceptual Process Kickoff Plan Rollout Community Presentation Meetings, at Public Survey to and Info Public Project Meeting, Understand Gathering at Plan Drafting Adoption Initiation, With Review, Local Goals Public Hearings Plans and Comment, and Priorities Meeting Data Review and Revision 13 COMMUNITY-LED PLAN DEVELOPMENT 14 7  6/30/2025 Interactive Future Land Use Map • The Project Team Develops an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap for the Community to interact with and share their thoughts on Future Land Use 15 What is the final product? Plan Goals (Structuring for Implementation) Definitions: Goal Goal: A clear statement describing the intended long-term outcome or achievement for a community’s development, providing direction for planning and decision-making. CAMA Relevancy: How the specific goal aligns with and supports the broader goals established under the Objectives CAMA framework. Objectives: Specific, measurable outcomes that contribute to achieving the overarching goal. Action Items: Concrete steps or Action Items activities planned to accomplish each objective. 16 8  6/30/2025 THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY Questions? 17 SWANSBORO UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE ❖Found in chapter 152 of our Town Code, always available to search and research online at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/swansboro/latest/s wansboro_nc/0-0-0-17074#JD_152.002 ❖The zoning regulations in this chapter are in accordance with our comprehensive plan (CAMA Land Use Plan) ❖The chapter is designed to provide for the orderly growth and of the town ❖This chapter is effective throughout the town’s planning jurisdiction (city limits & ETJ) 18 9  6/30/2025 TOWN OF SWANBORO ZONING MAP ❖Swansboro’s planning jurisdiction is divided into districts whose locations and boundaries are shown on the Official Zoning Map 19 20 10  6/30/2025 ❖This section is the first step in navigating if new development, business, or use is allowed in any zoning district. TABLE OF (A) Districts in which particular uses are a permitted are PERMITTED/ indicated by “P.” Uses with certain conditions may include a reference to a footnote to this table. SPECIAL (B) Districts in which particular uses are a upon approval of the Town are indicated by “S”. See the Table of Regulations for , § 152.211, for details of each . USES (C) Districts in which particular uses are reviewed for compliance by the Town Planner are indicated by “US”. See § 152.212, Use Standards, for details of each use SECTION standard. (D) Districts in which particular uses are a minor upon 152.179 approval of the Town Board of Adjustments are indicated by "MS". See the Table of Regulations for , § 152.211, for details of each minor special use. (E) Districts in which particular uses are prohibited are indicated by a blank. 21 ADDITIONAL STANDARDS IN UDO ❖Historic District Design Standards ❖Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance ❖Subdivision Regulations ❖Architectural Standards for new commercial development within our gateway corridor (100ft of and visible from, or with frontage on NC 24) 22 11