Polk eyes subdivision moratorium

Developers of major subdivisions may have to take a break from building in Polk County. Commissioners are considering imposing a moratorium on major subdivisions. The moratorium was proposed by commissionera after setting a public hearing on the moratorium for March 19. A major subdivision in Polk County includes 11 or more lots. The length of a possible moratorium has not yet been discussed. In 2003, the county imposed a six-month moratorium on major subdivisions in order to complete a land use study. The moratorium would also give the county time to develop a strategic plan and get a new county manager and a new county planning director in place. The current county manager, Michael Talbert, resigned a few months ago and will be leaving at the end of next month. The county is also looking for a planning director, a position that has been left open for several years.

Jackson may put temporary stop to growth

Jackson County commissioners have taken the first step toward temporarily stopping new subdivision development, calling for a Feb. 27 public hearing on a six-month moratorium.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to call for a public hearing on the moratorium, an action that stops in its tracks any subdivision plat not yet submitted to the county. Close to 200 audience members packed into the commissioners’ board room, spilling out into the hallways, standing along the boardroom walls and sitting on the floor Monday night. Commissioners have called for the planning board to author a document that would create minimum standards for subdivisions such as lot size and road width, as well as prevent steep slope development. Jackson has seen a rapid increase in the number of large subdivisions throughout the county, such as the new River Rock development at the old Singing Waters campground near Tuckasegee. An overwhelming majority of the 24 public speakers commenting on the issue were in support of a subdivision ordinance, but the sticking point was the proposed moratorium on development while the planning board works on the ordinance.