Duplin County approves 1,000-foot setback from poultry, swine and dairy facilities for new homes and parks

Duplin County commissioners on Tuesday approved an amendment to the county's Unified Development Ordinance requiring a 1,000-foot separation between new residential dwellings or new manufactured-home/travel-trailer parks and existing poultry, dairy or swine facilities.

The change, introduced in a public hearing, adds a new setback provision to Article 6, section 6.29(b) and amends related subdivision and park standards in Article 7. The amendment says, in part, that "no new residential dwelling permanent or temporary shall be established within 1,000 feet of any existing poultry, dairy, or swine facility," and that existing residences or parks inside that separation will be "considered legal nonperforming and may remain until removed or destroyed." The language must be shown and noted on plats.

Planning staff told commissioners the Planning Board reviewed and recommended the change. The presenter said the Planning Board approved the amendment unanimously. Proponents said the amendment aligns subdivision standards to the new setback language and clarifies lot-size and access-easement references that will now point to the new section.

Commissioner Edwards moved to approve the ordinance amendment; Commissioner Branch seconded. With no further discussion, the board voted to adopt the UDO changes.

The ordinance change will affect future lot divisions, expedited minor subdivisions and manufactured-home park approvals by adding the separation requirement to the county's existing minimum lot-size and frontage rules. The record shows the Planning Board vote and the board's adoption, but the transcript did not specify an effective date for the ordinance or whether grandfathering rules beyond "legal nonperforming" status will be codified.