P&Z eyes zoning workshops as subdivision pause awaits

Commissioners plan to review zoning rules in February as proposed moratorium heads toward a December council vote

10:41 p.m. Nov. 3, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

Moore County's proposed subdivision moratorium still needs Metro Council approval, but the Planning and Zoning Commission is already preparing to review the county's development rules.

Meeting Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the American Legion Building, commissioners discussed holding public workshops early next year to examine zoning and subdivision regulations. Chairman Dexter Golden suggested holding the first workshop in February and preparing an agenda beforehand so commissioners and residents could study the issues.

The workshops would be open to the public. Any proposed changes would return through the regular approval process.

Subdivision pause could end early

The Metro Council approved the first reading of a proposed 12-month moratorium on major and minor residential subdivisions Oct. 19. The measure would temporarily halt the processing and approval of covered residential subdivision applications, along with associated permits.

Golden described the proposed pause as covering residential developments involving four or more homes. Projects involving one, two, or three homes would remain outside its scope.

The moratorium isn't in effect. A public hearing and another council vote are expected in December.

If approved, the pause would give officials time to review development regulations and determine what needs changing. Golden emphasized that the county might not need the entire year to complete its review.

"It could be lifted in three months," he said.

One commissioner questioned whether larger developments should face different requirements, citing the difference between a 25-home subdivision and projects involving 50 or 80 residences. No changes resulted from that discussion.

County Attorney Bill Rieder has reviewed the proposed moratorium language, and commissioners were told a revised version had been submitted for public notice.

Two rezoning requests advance

Commissioners approved two preliminary plat requests Tuesday, sending both to the Metro Council for consideration of rezoning from A-1 to R-2.

The first involved property on Tanyard Hill Road associated with Regina Preston and Sandra Davenport. Commissioners were told the proposed division met sight-distance and spacing requirements and would use an existing entrance.

The second involved property on Cobb Hollow Road associated with Grady and Sue Knight and Hannah Martin. Commissioners questioned the location of existing septic field lines and whether a new driveway would interfere with them. They were assured the field lines would remain outside the proposed new lot and the driveway would avoid them.

Both requests now require two Metro Council readings before returning to Planning and Zoning for final plat review.

Property owners also asked whether they could begin preparing their land while waiting for council action.

Commissioners indicated they had no objection to certain preliminary site work, including septic installation, while rezoning was pending. They cautioned that applicants would proceed at their own financial risk. No formal authorization was issued.

Data center rules still taking shape

The commission is still working on data center regulations and isn't ready to send proposed restrictions to the Metro Council.

Golden said commissioners had received information from the University of Tennessee to help evaluate possible standards. Rieder has advised the commission to develop a comprehensive set of regulations rather than pursue individual amendments.

Commissioners did not advance a separate data center moratorium Tuesday.

The commission also is awaiting legal guidance on whether businesses involving travel trailers can be removed from agricultural zoning and placed in commercial districts.

Golden said Rieder believed the change might be permissible but wanted to research the law before recommending action.

Approval procedures get another look

Golden said the preliminary plat checklist would be updated to include a Metro Council signature requirement for projects needing rezoning.

Commissioners also discussed adding written instructions outlining the approval sequence, from preliminary plat review through the council's two rezoning readings and back to Planning and Zoning for final approval.

The commission postponed selecting a new secretary. Jimmy Hammond agreed to continue serving for another month, with a decision expected in December.

All seven commissioners attended Tuesday's meeting: Chairman Dexter Golden, Bobby Carroll, Jim Crawford, Scott Fruehauf, Tara Groce, Jimmy Hammond, and Jeff Ross.