Board schedules public hearing on UDO Section 8.3.0.2; rooftop terraces to be defined
May 17, 2025 | Highlands, Macon County, North Carolina
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The Highlands Town Board voted to set a public hearing for 9 a.m. on June 19 to consider removing section 8.3.0.2 of the town’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and to consider related amendments addressing rooftop terraces and building height.
Planning Director Michael Matthews told the board the planning board recommended removing section 8.3.0.2 because building height, habitable stories and buildable area are already regulated elsewhere in the UDO; the planning board also recommended concentrating density along Main Street. Matthews read the planning board’s recommendation and asked the town board to schedule a public hearing.
Commissioners expressed concern that as written, the ordinance could allow three habitable stories with a flat roof and an occupiable rooftop terrace, which would change the historic scale of B-1 downtown areas. Several commissioners asked Town Attorney Nick Tosco to draft language that would either count an occupiable rooftop terrace as a story or otherwise prevent a three-story building with a flat roof in B-1.
Why it matters: the change aims to preserve downtown scale and character by closing an exemption that could allow tall, flat-roofed commercial buildings with rooftop dining or terraces. The board directed staff and the attorney to prepare draft ordinance language for the June 19 public hearing.
Next steps: Nick Tosco will prepare one or more drafting options (define rooftop terraces as an occupiable story or reduce the maximum habitable stories) and the board will consider the ordinance in a public hearing on June 19.
Planning Director Michael Matthews told the board the planning board recommended removing section 8.3.0.2 because building height, habitable stories and buildable area are already regulated elsewhere in the UDO; the planning board also recommended concentrating density along Main Street. Matthews read the planning board’s recommendation and asked the town board to schedule a public hearing.
Commissioners expressed concern that as written, the ordinance could allow three habitable stories with a flat roof and an occupiable rooftop terrace, which would change the historic scale of B-1 downtown areas. Several commissioners asked Town Attorney Nick Tosco to draft language that would either count an occupiable rooftop terrace as a story or otherwise prevent a three-story building with a flat roof in B-1.
Why it matters: the change aims to preserve downtown scale and character by closing an exemption that could allow tall, flat-roofed commercial buildings with rooftop dining or terraces. The board directed staff and the attorney to prepare draft ordinance language for the June 19 public hearing.
Next steps: Nick Tosco will prepare one or more drafting options (define rooftop terraces as an occupiable story or reduce the maximum habitable stories) and the board will consider the ordinance in a public hearing on June 19.
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