North Carolina

Communities across the country are rapidly becoming developed. Here are some ways you can remain informed and engaged with the community so you’re prepared to speak up when commercial developments are proposed in green spaces.

1) Get to know your local representatives. These folks are responsible for voting on rezoning for commercial development. What mattes to them? Do they have kids who love to play outside in fields around the neighborhood? Do they enjoy bird watching? How do they envision bettering your community?

These people are elected to represent the desires of their constituents who call their municipality home, not those of private for-profit interests. They are your team mates. Show them that you appreciate and support their efforts.

• Attend Town/Council Meetings and any public events they host when possible. This is an excellent way to express your thoughts as a concerned stakeholder and get on a first-name basis with decision makers. These events should be advertised online and at the physical Town/City Hall.

• Get Involved in Local Elections. Advocate for green-minded, non-corporate-backed candidates, or consider running yourself. Think global, act local- this is where you can make a real difference for our nation.

2) Get familiar with your city/town/county’s Comprehensive Plan or Land Use Code.

This should be openly available online on the town’s website. The Plan likely sets apart certain parcels of land for recreational use or open space, while others are set aside for residential and commercial purposes.

3) Grow community.

Get to know your neighbors and the collective network you have. Perhaps you can organize a book club, potluck dinners, game nights etc. You can all keep an eye out together and become comfortable communicating with each other.

Land Use and Zoning

Parcels of land are all “zoned” for particular uses such as recreational, agricultural, residential and commercial. When bare land is purchased for commercial use, be it multiple residences or stores or a parking garage, this usually means that the parcel of land has to be rezoned.

The legally-defined zoning process in North Carolina occurs within local governments- i.e. the county, town or city. A developer petitions the local government to rezone a piece of land. This process may begin before the developer has officially purchased the land. You can read more about this zoning process in the Town of Raleigh here.

If a parcel/property is being considered for rezoning, this is public information. Neighbors in close proximity to the proposed development will likely receive notice in the mail. Others can check the city/town website and newsletter to remain informed.

A developer may begin the re-zoning process of a property before their company has officially bought the property from the independent land owner.

Dedicated engagement in this process from start to finish is your best chance to speak up and protect nature- and earlier is ALWAYS better. Major development companies often have many projects working at a time. They don’t want to waste time on unwelcoming communities or risk being sued. If community opposition is strong enough, and the developer has not yet officially purchased the land, they will be more inclined to walk away. This does happen in communities that stand together and speak up!

The zoning process can take anywhere from weeks to years, depending on the project. It is supposed to be clear and welcoming for public input. However, often times the public is left unaware and/or confused on how to participate. Here is a starter guide on what to expect and how to engage:

1) Talk with the Land Owner

A developer may begin the re-zoning process of a property before their company has officially bought the property from the independent land owner. North Carolina property ownership is public record. If you have received notice of a zoning process near you, check your county’s website or visit the Register of Deeds to determine the current owner of the property/parcel. More information on how to access this information can be found on the Secretary of State’s page.

Property owners have a right to sell their property to whomever they wish. However, as a friendly and concerned neighbor, you can try talking to neighboring land owners and ask if they’ve considered other options. Local governments may be interested in purchasing particular properties to designate and maintain it as a public park, thereby enhancing community aesthetics and access to the outdoors. Land conservancies/trusts may also be interested in purchasing properties at market value if they have a certain conservation value.

If the land owner chooses to move forward with their sale, you will have to accept their choice and take the conversation to your local government.

2) Ask Questions and Engage your Neighbors

There is power in numbers. If you’re upset about a proposed development, chances are that your neighbors feel the same. Use emails, social media, and door-to-door communication to communicate your concerns with your neighbors, and ask them to speak up with you. Together, you can:

• Contact your local planning office. Ask what plans have been submitted for development of the property, how you can view the plan and zoning application, what the next steps are, and when there are opportunities for public input.

  If you have questions about the development, your Council Members probably do, too. By raising these specific questions to the Council Members, they will be able to contact the developer and ask for more clarity.

  Click here for our starter list of suggested questions.

• Know the rules and regulations. Check out the environmental protections for North Carolina in the section above.

  Additionally, familiarize yourself with your municipality’s Comprehensive Plan and/or Land Use Code. These plans are public and provide a roadmap for growth and development in the community. They may show specific areas of the town as planned for recreation, open space, conservation, commercial or residential.

  Local ordinances will also outline parameters that all large developments should follow. This may include certain amounts of usable and open green space in the community (hint: tennis courts and storm water ponds don’t count), amount of tree buffers to be retained, etc. Additionally, there may be planning requirements for flooding events.

  If you find that any policies are being violated or that the re-zoning falls outside of the Comprehensive Plan, document that and speak up right away.

• Spread the word. Talk to neighbors, elected officials, and local interest groups (i.e. your Home Owner’s Association, local chapters of environmental and/or historical organizations). Share information via social media. Contact your local newspapers and radio shows to see if they’d be interested- for instance, Raleigh’s News & Observer usually shares information about proposed developments in beloved locations like this. Circulate a petition. Consider making yard signs if allowed.

  Remember to stick to the facts!

  Elected officials are used to frequent complaints, especially around development. You want to share why this particular development is a threat to the greater good of the community. Speak about environmental protections, impacts to clean water and safety, environmental justice, cultural and historical values, school and road capacities, and the Comprehensive Plan. Highlight beneficial alternatives, such as parks.

• Attend public meetings.

  
  During the zoning process, most municipalities require the developer to host “Neighborhood Meeting” events for local residents to learn more and ask questions. Eventually, there will be a Public Hearing for the public to officially express concerns and opposition, and then your local council members will vote on whether to approve the rezoning.
  
  Check your mail and your local government’s webpage frequently for Public Hearing and Zoning notices and sign up for alerts.

  Always attend these meetings, and galvanize as many neighbors as possible to show up with you. If you can, have a neighborhood meeting before hand and prepare your statements. Ask the board/council if you can be added to the agenda or share a presentation. Remember- your tax dollars fund your municipality, and you have a right to ask questions and be involved.

  Ask questions, share concerns, and be vocal for those animals, trees and people who cannot speak for themselves. Speak up even if your voice shakes!

• Pay attention throughout the entire process. Delays may happen, and particularly contentious zoning applications may try to slide under the radar. It is tedious work to pay attention, but make sure someone is remaining informed at all times.

3) Recruit outside help. In particularly complicated cases, you may wish to enroll legal professionals (see our recommendations below). Additionally, local land trusts and/or governments may be interested in purchasing the property to preserve it for conservation value.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of land trusts in NC:

- Triangle Land Conservancy (Triangle Area)

- Three Rivers Land Trust (Central NC)

- Blue Ridge Conservancy (Northwest NC)

- Catawba Lands Conservancy (Southern Piedmont)

- Foothills Conservancy (Western NC)

- Eno River Association (Durham and Orange Counties)

- Mainspring Conservation Trust (Southern Blue Ridge)

- Piedmont Land Conservancy (Piedmont Region)

-Tar River Land Conservancy (Tar River Basin)

- NC Coastal Land Trust (Coastal Region)

Additionally, you can search for land trusts nearest you using Land Trust Alliance’s search function.