Commissioners Schedule UDO Town Hall Amid Growing Public Concern

SMITHFIELD — The Johnston County Board of Commissioners will hold a town hall meeting March 23 in Smithfield as debate continues to intensify over the county’s proposed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Johnston County Agricultural Center, at 2736 N.C. Highway 210. It will begin with a presentation from county planning staff and the consulting firm that helped draft the ordinance. Afterward, staff members will host information stations to answer questions and gather feedback from residents.

The county-sponsored session follows weeks of mounting public scrutiny over the 619-page proposal, which would replace existing zoning and subdivision rules with a more detailed regulatory framework. Planning officials describe the updated UDO as a modernization effort intended to clarify standards and better manage rapid growth.

Opponents, however, argue the draft is overly restrictive on property owners — particularly farmers and livestock operators — and could increase permitting requirements and costs for routine land improvements. Others have questioned whether the measure does enough to address the pace of large-scale residential development reshaping rural areas.

Concerns spilled over into a packed public hearing last month that prompted commissioners to delay adoption of the ordinance. On Tuesday, hundreds of residents, farmers, small-business owners and landowners attended a separate community-led meeting at The Barn at Broadslab in Benson to discuss the issue. That gathering was organized by private citizens and was not sponsored by the county, though county officials attended.

Commissioner Mike Rose of Princeton acknowledged the size of the turnout and said officials are continuing to review public input before moving forward. Meanwhile, commissioner candidates Adam Caldwell of Benson and Chad Stewart of Four Oaks both emphasizing property rights and criticizing the length of time spent developing the proposal.

County Manager Rick Hester has said there is no set timeline for adoption, and next steps following the March 23 town hall remain to be determined.

The latest draft of the ordinance and a summary of revisions are expected to be posted on the county Planning Department’s website sometime on Friday, Feb. 27. Commissioners have indicated additional changes are likely as they continue to receive public feedback.