Plan Commission forwards updated planning and building fee schedule, including $400 administrative-subdivision fee, to council

Pittsboro planning staff presented an ordinance to amend and replace the town’s schedule of planning and building fees, proposing modest increases to several line items to match surrounding jurisdictions and adding a new $400 administrative-subdivision fee. The commission agreed the changes were generally small and directed staff to take the ordinance to the town council for formal consideration.

Aaron (speaker 2) told commissioners the updates were intended to bring fees in line with surrounding communities and to account for staff and contracted time. He said some fees had not been updated for years, and the $400 administrative-subdivision fee is intended to cover staff time for straightforward administrative lot adjustments. Cynthia (speaker 3) noted state law requires fee schedules be reviewed on a five-year basis tied to the Consumer Price Index and that planning and building fees must be maintained in a dedicated, non-reverting fund.

Commission members asked detailed questions about variance vs. special-exception fees and effective dates; staff explained the legal timetable (law effective July 1; the five-year non-change provision begins 01/01/2027) and that a council public hearing will be required before the ordinance becomes effective. Chair instructed staff to present the ordinance to the town council at next month’s meeting.