Town staff says late changes to state bill would have constrained local land-use authority; local lobbying won county exemption

Rob, the town manager, told council that an amendment to North Carolina Senate Bill 445 would have dramatically constrained local land-use authority by mandating by-right multifamily dwellings (up to 60 feet tall) and accessory dwelling units across many zoning districts without local hearings or conditions.

He said the measure was inserted into a hospital bill in the House on short notice and that the town’s legislative advocate engaged Representative Alman, the local delegation and regional partners. The result, Rob said, was an amendment added on June 2 that exempted counties under 275,000 and cities under 50,000 from the most sweeping provisions; under that change, Harrisburg and Cabaris County were no longer subject to the by-right rules that had worried staff and residents.

Rob credited quick coordination—impact analyses, EDC briefings and outreach by Lumen Strategies and the local delegation—for the change. He told the council that staff recommends staying “diligent” rather than adopting a formal opposed resolution because the amendment removed the immediate threat to Harrisburg, but warned that similar bills could arise in future short sessions.

Council members urged continued monitoring and asked staff to alert residents if further legislative action threatens local control. Rob said staff had a standing triage process with their legislative advocate and would mobilize residents if future action required public input.