Amy Bowles

The primary discussion centered on the review and consideration of an updated version of the proposed Planning Board Handbook, which the board subsequently moved to approve. The agenda was also adopted.

The regular meeting of the Planning Board addressed several items, including the unanimous approval of the agenda and the minutes from the previous month (with one correction noted). Key discussions included a rezoning request (RZ-25-05) to change approximately 1.5 acres from Office Institutional District (OI) to Residential District Three (R3) to permit a singlewide manufactured home, which the board recommended favorably to the Board of Commissioners. Additionally, a public hearing was held concerning an appeal (ZV-25-01) against a zoning violation issued regarding the Hiddenite Family Campground operating in violation of county ordinances. Testimony was heard from the appellant regarding flooding events and grandfathered use. Following staff rebuttal, the board unanimously voted to uphold the zoning violation. Announcements included the schedule for the next meeting and the appointment of a new member to fill a vacancy.

The meeting included the adoption of the agenda and the election of officers for the 2026 calendar year, resulting in Coy Reese as chair, Matt Schrum as vice-chair, and Joey Price as secretary. A public hearing for SUP-25-02 was postponed until the February 12, 2026 meeting. The board also reviewed and recommended a text amendment regarding feather flags, conditional zoning districts, and the development review process to the county commissioners. An announcement was made regarding Zach Tyner's appointment to fill a county commissioner vacancy.

The meeting included a presentation regarding a request to rezone approximately .8 acre from Residential District Two (R2) to Residential District Two Rural (R2R) to allow for a singlewide manufactured home to be placed on the lot. Staff recommended the board make a favorable recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.

The Alexander County Board of Commissioners held a work session to discuss potential revisions to the Alexander County Land Development Code. Key discussion topics included special events, industrial zoning, residential zoning, development requirements, plan review, and code compliance. Potential updates were discussed for each topic, such as unifying the special events process, relaxing industrial zoning requirements, addressing manufactured home restrictions, and updating sidewalk requirements for subdivisions. The board also discussed issues related to RVs, junked vehicles, and feather flags in the context of code enforcement.