Hundreds Pack Benson Meeting As UDO Debate Grows
JOHNSTON COUNTY — The debate over Johnston County’s proposed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) intensified Tuesday night as hundreds of residents, farmers, small-business owners and landowners filled The Barn at Broadslab in Benson for a community meeting focused on the controversial land-use rewrite.
The Feb. 24 gathering was organized by concerned citizens and was not sponsored by the county. County officials, however, were in attendance.
The meeting came just over a month after a standing-room-only public hearing prompted county commissioners to delay adoption of the 619-page proposal. Johnston County planning officials and commissioners have spent nearly three years drafting the ordinance, which would replace the county’s existing zoning and subdivision rules with a more detailed regulatory framework.
While planners have described the rewrite as a modernization effort designed to clarify standards and manage growth, many residents at both meetings have argued the proposal is overly restrictive on existing landowners — particularly farmers and livestock owners — while doing little to slow the rapid influx of large-scale residential subdivisions.
Critics say the draft ordinance could limit how property owners use their land, impose additional permitting requirements and increase costs for routine improvements. At the same time, several speakers questioned whether the measure adequately addresses concerns about high-density development reshaping rural communities.
County Commissioner Mike Rose of Princeton acknowledged the intensity of public concern and said commissioners are continuing to review feedback before moving forward. “This is what democracy looks like,” Commissioner Rose said on his Facebook page along with a photo of the large crowd. “Incredible turnout for tonight’s community led meeting dealing with the UDO. I will continue to listen and together we will create the best document possible.”
Commissioner candidate Adam Caldwell of Benson, who is running against Rose, said property rights should remain central to any final ordinance. “Fellow citizens, you shouldn’t have to spend your Tuesday night away from family after a long day at work to figure out if your ag operation will still be viable (or allowed) under new county ordinances. Commissioners have had ALMOST 3 YEARS to figure this out but kicked the can down the road and then tried to pass something most had not even read. You spoke up and showed up.”
Fellow candidate Chad Stewart of Four Oaks also addressed the crowd, criticizing the length of time commissioners have spent developing the ordinance. “My position should be known plain and clear as a property owner and farmland owner,” Stewart said. “Property owners should have the right to do with their land as they please as long as it does not significantly and negatively impact someone else’s property.”
Stewart added that, if elected, “I will ensure the UDO is taken off the table for consideration.”
A county-sponsored public meeting is now scheduled for March 23 at 6 p.m. at the Johnston County Agricultural Center on N.C. 210 near Smithfield. The meeting will feature county officials and is open to the public.
County Manager Rick Hester said there is currently no timeline for adoption of the ordinance and the next steps after the March 23 public meeting remain to be determined.
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Please list the current county commissioner’s and their challenger’s stance on this topic BEFORE MARCH 3ED. This will assist in who to support for dismissal of the ordnance.
All of the county commissioners get ********* from **********. There’s no other explanation for why so many houses are being thrown up in this county as well as our taxes. I would think more housing would be less taxes cause we’d have more houses. But no , In their infinite stupidity, they failed to understand that more houses require more services which require more taxes. I wouldn’t trust one of these commissioners to feed my dog.
I grew up in Johnston county and while I do not live here anymore my family still does. I come back all the time and every time I come back I see a new subdivision or a business. The farms and fields I remember are getting fewer and fewer every time I come back. My family has been in Johnston County since before the Civil War we have long roots in this county. It’s a shame that the County sees business and money over farms and people whose roots that go way back. Don’t get me wrong the county will grow but let it grow in spurts no all at one time. I live in Burke County now for about 8 years and other than the hills and curvy roads it’s what JoCo used to be. Don’t let progress take over and ruin what little country is left in JoCo. I cringe every time I come back to see the progress that has happened since the last time I came. Remember where you came from and stay true to the history and land in JoCo don’t sell out to business’s and progress.
Y’all! Everyone needs to listen to the new country song called McArthur! It was written by Hardy and sang by Time McGraw, Eric Church, Hardy, and Morgan Wallen. This song is prophesying what is happening to our heritage, farms and rural lands and developments galore. Stop staying quiet and start raising your voices!
Trying to figure out why the next meeting is at AG on 210 when there was not enough room Tuesday night at the Barn and folks were turned away for no room (fire code) and no parking. So when we show up at the AG where are all these folks going to be? That’s a fairly small facility for such are large function. I suspect with the few eraser marks of updating UDO they’re probably going to run with it and our opinions won’t matter. Just like the parks, trails for walking, biking ( destroying more wildlife habitat) where they had a survey for you to take to voice your opinions. Well they said we heard you and we are moving forward with it. What does everyone else thnik?