At a retreat held September 10-11, the Davidson Board of Commissioners met with town staff to discuss proposed changes to Davidson’s planning ordinance and affordable housing program.

The town’s comprehensive plan and small area plans are guiding documents that help the board of commissioners and town staff achieve the town’s vision. The planning ordinance, which was first adopted in 2001, contains the rules and regulations that reflect the recommendations in these guiding documents.

The conversation at the retreat involved proposed changes to the town’s planning areas, building types and uses. The board of commissioners discussed how we maintain Davidson’s small town character, with its diversity of neighborhoods, while encouraging the appropriate kind and amount of economic development.

Citizens are invited to two open houses on proposed changes to the town’s planning ordinance. The open houses will be held on Thursday, September 25 and Tuesday, October 21 between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Davidson Town Hall board room. Each session will be an open house format with no formal presentation, and members of the Davidson Planning Department will be present to discuss the proposed planning ordinance changes and answer any questions.

The board of commissioners and staff discussed our affordable housing program, originally adopted in 2001, which is based on inclusionary zoning. Since then, the town has made small changes to the inclusionary zoning ordinance, but hasn’t kept pace with what is happening in the real estate market. As we anticipate another growth spurt in the market, we want to ensure the ordinance is current. The board of commissioners discussed changing the focus of the program from “for sale” affordable housing to a mix of rental opportunities and “for sale” housing.

The board of commissioners will create a committee to work with Affordable Housing Coordinator Cindy Reid to review and revise the inclusionary zoning ordinance on a bi-annual basis, keeping a pulse on how the program is serving income qualified citizens, developers and builders alike. The goal is to make adjustments to accommodate the changing real estate market and make the affordable housing program more effective.

A public hearing on the proposed changes to the planning ordinance and the inclusionary zoning ordinance within our affordable housing program will take place at the November 11 meeting of the board of commissioners at town hall. The board will consider the proposed changes at their December 9 meeting.