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The City of Locust is requesting input from the community on additional development guidelines to be included in the final document of the city’s revised Land Development Ordinance.

For the first time in 100 years, the state revised its land development regulations. These new regulations, which are part of Chapter 160D of the North Carolina General Statutes, consolidates current city- and county-enabling statutes for development regulations into a single, unified chapter.

Though Chapter 160D is effective now, local governments have until July 1, 2021 for the development, consideration and adoption of necessary amendments to conform local ordinances to this new law.

The Locust City Council recently created a subcommittee comprised of Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Baucom and council members Harry Fletcher and Roger Hypes, along with Planning & Zoning Board Chairman Tim Fesperman, Planning and Zoning Director Scott Efird and City Administrator Cesar Correa, to review the existing LDO and recommend changes.

The subcommittee has already met three times to draft and discuss development changes to the LDO. Prior to final recommendation to Locust City Council, the subcommittee is requesting input from the community on additional development guidelines to be included in the final document.

The sessions are scheduled for 10-11 a.m. Nov. 12 in the Joel Honeycutt Community Room and during the regular City Council meeting on the same day starting at 7 p.m. City staff will provide the public with a summary of the process and status of the completion.

“We want to have the residents of Locust have an opportunity to comment on zoning regulations and how you would like to see the city do that moving forward,” said Correa during Thursday’s city council meeting.

People interested in providing public comment can either come to the public sessions, email cityadmin@locustnc.com or call 704-888-5260 ext. 101.