BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON

EDENTON – The Edenton Town Council took significant steps during its July 28 special meeting to address housing needs and regulatory gaps, with plans to send new zoning ordinances for smaller residential properties and comprehensive short-term rental regulations to the planning board for review.

The board met on July 28. For information about the discussions on Harbor Town Inc., click here, and road paving, click here.

New R-3 Zoning District to Allow Smaller Lots

The council reviewed a draft ordinance that would establish a new R-3 Residential District, allowing development on lots as small as 3,000 square feet in areas currently zoned for medium- to high-density residential use. Assistant Town Manager Dewayne Whealton explained that the initiative aims to increase housing affordability.

“The intent there is to have small lots for more affordability,” Whealton told the council. “We already have lots within town that do not meet our minimum, which is 5,000 square feet.”

The proposed R-3 zoning would be limited to areas designated as medium- to high-density residential (R-5, R-10, and R-14 districts) and would require connection to public water and sewer systems. The ordinance includes provisions for both single-family homes and multifamily development, with a maximum density of 14.5 dwelling units per acre for multifamily projects.

Under the proposed standards, R-3 developments would have:

• Minimum lot size of 3,000 square feet
• Minimum lot width of 30 feet
• Front setback of 10 feet
• Side setbacks of 5 feet
• Rear setback of 15 feet
• Maximum building height of 35 feet

Short-Term Rental Ordinance

The council also heard about a comprehensive short-term rental ordinance, which would fill a regulatory gap that has existed since the issue was first raised in 2018 or 2019. Mayor Hackney High noted that the town had previously held off on creating regulations while waiting for state guidance that never materialized.

“If I’m not mistaken, wasn’t there a moratorium for the state to act on it, and they never acted on it?” High asked. “There’s no longer a moratorium against us passing” such regulations.

Whealton reported that town officials met with some residents earlier in the day about the short-term rental ordinance and is incorporating feedback into an updated draft. The proposed ordinance would require permits for short-term rentals, establish occupancy limits, require local contact persons, and set operational standards, such as noise compliance and parking requirements.

The draft ordinance includes different rules for owner-occupied versus non-owner-occupied rentals, with stricter requirements for investment properties in residential zones.

Phased Approach to Planning Board Review

Whealton indicated that the three major ordinances — R-3 zoning, short-term rentals, and a vacant commercial building ordinance — will be presented to the planning board one at a time to allow for thorough review.

“We’re not gonna be there for hours talking about it. So we probably will take it one at a time,” he said, with council members expressing preference for the measured approach.

The R-3 zoning ordinance is expected to be the first item presented to the planning board, likely at their September meeting, followed by the short-term rental regulations.

Other Business

Staff Time Allocation Policy Approved

The council moved forward with a new policy designed to manage staff time spent on individual citizen requests. The policy, recommended at a previous meeting, establishes guidelines to prevent excessive use of town resources on single requests while ensuring reasonable response to public inquiries.

The proposed policy limits staff time on individual requests to no more than three hours unless the matter involves health, safety, or code compliance issues, with written authorization required from department heads or the town manager for additional time.

Historic Preservation Commission Appointment Tabled

Two candidates presented themselves for appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission: Hal Murray, a longtime attendee of commission meetings who has personal experience with the approval process, and Brian Towers Sr., a former elected government official from New York with extensive public service experience.

Both have lived in Edenton for at least a decade.

However, with two council members – Bob Turner and Patrick Sellers – absent, the decision was tabled to ensure full council participation in the appointment process.

Annexation Request Moves Forward

The council approved directing staff to investigate an annexation request for property at 316 Old Hertford Road. The 4-acre property, owned by WP Trio Properties with James L. Partin as manager, already has access to public utilities, which would require no extension of town services. The property borders the town limits.

The apartment complex across the street, Tyler Run Apartments, and the homes directly beside the 4-acres, along on Paxton Lane, are all within the town limits.

Routine Business

The council approved a comprehensive consent agenda including hazard mitigation resolutions, auditor communications, various work authorizations for airport projects, and American Rescue Plan Act compliance policies.

The next regular town council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 12 at 504 S. Broad St., Edenton. The planning board is expected to begin reviewing the new proposed zoning ordinance in September.