Cabarrus Today

The City of Concord Planning and Zoning Commission has approved proposed changes to the Concord Development Ordinance (CDO) regarding townhome development. These revisions were discussed at a meeting on December 21, and the public is encouraged to review and comment on them by January 6, 2022.

The proposed changes focus on various aspects such as vehicle and pedestrian safety, parking adequacy, public utilities, green space provision, and maintaining a sustainable shade tree canopy. The draft is accessible for review at concordnc.gov/CDORewrite. Comments can be submitted online until January 6 or in person during the City Council meeting on January 13, which is expected to include a public hearing.

Key elements of the revisions include requirements for attached homes to front streets or open spaces and have rear alleys or common parking areas. Alleys must meet minimum width standards depending on traffic direction. Setbacks are defined for streets and garages, with structures needing specific spacing between them. Parking provisions require two off-street spaces per unit, with options for street or common area parking for visitors. Curb extensions will accommodate street trees.

Duplexes and triplexes with shared driveways existing before ordinance adoption are exempt from these requirements.

These townhome revisions are part of a broader rewrite of the CDO to align it with the 2030 Land Use Plan adopted in 2018. The goal is to modernize development standards and make the ordinance more user-friendly.

The CDO serves as the main document governing development within Concord, detailing zoning districts, permissible uses, review processes, building forms, stormwater management, floodplain management, and stream buffers.

Staff members are available for neighborhood meetings about this project. Interested parties can reach out via planning@concordnc.gov.