ORC Agenda Packet - February 2026

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2 ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 4, 2026 Action Agenda Item No. 2 SUBJECT: Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendment — Subdivision Administration DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Proposed Amendments (96 pages) Cy Stober, Planning Director (919) 245-2595 PURPOSE: To review and comment upon a proposed government-initiated Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) text amendment to the administrative requirements and review processes for subdivisions. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Planning Department has initiated an amendment to UDO Sections 2.1, 2.9, 2.13, 2.14, 2.15, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7, 7.1 — 7.6, 7.12, 7.13, and relevant definitions in Article 10. The proposed amendments are multi-faceted in purpose and serve two primary purposes: 1) clarify the subdivision classifications of the UDO and the review processes associated with each; and 2) in response to direction from the Board of County Commissioners, make all by-right subdivision reviews administrative in nature, rather than requiring actions by the Planning Board and BOCC. Presently, the UDO language for Exempt, Minor Expedited, Minor Regulated, and Major Subdivisions is inconsistent — though compatible — with NC General Statutes. The language defining these classifications of subdivision also needs clarification and currently contains what are effectively regulatory penalties for property owners of parcels 2.01 — 4.99 acres in area. Associated administrative requirements (e.g. Performance Guarantees) also would benefit from clarification and focus on the elements of subdivision strictly within Orange County's regulatory purview. The current Major Subdivision administrative process requires applicants to present a Concept Plan, Preliminary Plat, and Final Plat to the Planning Board for review, and both plats to the BOCC for approval. State law requires the county to approve submitted plats that meet all local criteria: they are "by-right". Feedback from applicants and the public is that this burdensome administrative process is a deterrent to major subdivisions in Orange County and thereby in conflict with multiple elements of both the adopted Strategic Plan and the 2030 Comprehensive Plan as they relate to Housing and Economic Development. The Minor Subdivision administrative process is similarly cumbersome for no apparent purpose, and adds unnecessary costs to the by-right subdivision of property to provide more housing options to Orange County residents, future and present. Clarity on the roles of staff, the applicant, and the public is also needed for all subdivision processes.