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.
My name is Keith Branch and I am running for district 7 county commissioner. I can’t even imagine how much money time and effort has already been spent on this document that is far from acceptable. If I am fortunate enough to be elected and therefore involved in the process, I will listen and ensure to provide protection to the rights of our landowners. I understand such a document may be needed, but it should not negatively impact the hard working citizens of our county. And I will ensure it doesn’t. Collaboration, communication and transparency are key.
Keith Branch years ago I had a run in with you near your insurance business. You’re the biggest rank cookie I’ve ever none. People stay away from rank cookies. They’re bad for business.
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.
Gord ahead there GDP.
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!
So true
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?
Its county sponsored so the less opposition they see, the better in their minds.
Vote these imbeciles out. Or, let them know how you feel anytime you see them.
Doesn’t JCC have a larger meeting auditorium?
Johnston County deserves better. It deserves leadership who represents the values of the people who live here, not the corporations who want to turn it into another Cary. The overreach of this ordinance is preposterous and spits in the face of the people who are the backbone of this county.
Just face it, more homes, more money. Its all about money at the end of the day. The numbers!!
The question is, who is actually getting all of this money?
With these recent TAX INCREASES you would think the people that pay the bills should have some rights. Apparently our elected representatives see us as a blank check, they’ll take care of themselves , the h…. with us. I still believe as taxpayers we should be able to sell to the taxing authority, FOR CASH the value they demand, only when there are consequences will they pay attention. Codify it, make it work, when they have to pay for it, they’ll change their attitudes. Public servants, my A…, When’s the last time you felt the county employees were treating you as the name implied, they’re instructed by those we elect, pay attention, that times coming again. Iy ya don’t VOTE , don’t complain !
We have too many developers and real estate investors posng as county commissioners. We need to vote them out! They are a sellout for johnston county.
Absolutely! Anyone involved in development and real estate needs to recuse themselves as having a conflict of interest! We need to dig deep and find out the back story of each one. Sylvia Lee Leveris, sounds like a good job for you. You provided us with the phone numbers, we need just a little more….
Tell it my friend!
Y’all better better get to sewing your White flags.
The North is coming again.
Im not allowed to comment on here anymore.
The problem is older generations had land that didn’t cost much, now property taxes going up they can’t afford it or they pass and their relatives can’t afford the inheritance tax, which there shouldn’t be an inheritance tax to start with, then they end up selling to a developer before the county takes it for not paying the taxes. Nice little trap thy have to end up with the land they want. And the county commissioners seem to just want our county to be swallowed by wake county and become something that looks nothing like it did before.
Folks, it’s called progress. And I don’t like it. But it can’t be stopped. It has to be managed. It starts with a vision, and my vision looks like Meadow in the early 80’s before i40 came thru. Well I can’t go back there. My point is, that the vision should be based on our identity. We have different visions of what JOCO’s identity should be. Personally I am nostalgic about my heritage, but I also enjoy the conveniences that come with progress. So, how do I square that? With a heavy heart, I think we welcome progress, and tout our heritage so that the newcomers understand, appreciate and embrace it. We should “train” these newcomers on what it means to be part of our beloved community.
Anybody got a better idea? I’ll hitch up my little wagon.
Yes!! They make it impossible for us to afford to keep our farms.
Pass what you want just like the libtards did with Masks i didn’t ever wear one or walk the right way up an aisle..stupidity.
I will continue to do as i want with the amount of money i pay in taxes, they can suck it. Who are they? don’t listen to thee fools. I will have 50 roosters and 5 cows in many house living if i want, i pay for it all dips*&%
I haven’t seen anyone questioning the houses with 12 illegals living there????
Amen to that!!!
say it loud so they’ll listen it’s our land our property we should be able to do what we want with it.
Vote for the same people over and over get the same results.Stop voting for the same people just because of party. You have to look beyond that and start mixing the pot up to get people to work together.
The locals are too stupid for that
And you are the reason we can’t tolerate implants. Why the h3ll did you move here?
You must be some DA*N YANKEE. Let me show you the door. Its i95 and it is open 24/7
Nope. More southern than you….
I highly doubt it. Family was here long before the revolutionary war. When this was called the badlands by the British
Be kind. It does not cost anything. Be careful who you think you hate – it might be someone you actually love.
And this is you? Your words aren’t kind at all. Maybe you can keep it to yourself.
Hopefully the ordinance will hold developers somewhat accountable for rising crime rates introduced by poorly implemented massive housing developments.
The farmers are being squeezed out world wide. These policies are being pushed in France, Germany, UK etc. Why? Are they trying to starve us out? It is strange that they are so concerned about the cows and chickens (our main source of protein). I for one, will not be eating bugs no matter what Bill Gates says.
f