All zoning text and map amendments must be made in accordance with the County's Comprehensive Land Use Plan and shall be made to promote public health, safety, and the general welfare of the community. The unincorporated areas of the county are divided into zoning districts and each district has specific uses and regulations.
The rezoning process is outlined in Chapter 5, Section 16, of the Unified Development Ordinance. There are two types of rezoning processes - general conditional. Both rezoning processes include proper notification of all adjacent properties, a legislative hearing with the Planning Board, and a second hearing with the Board of Commissioners for the final decision. Conditional rezonings require a full site plan review.
Things to Keep in Mind:
Rezonings Run With the Land
Once a property is rezoned, the owner, and any future owners, can pursue any use that is permitted under the new zoning district.
Conditional Zonings are Site Plan Specific
Conditional districts are site plan specific which means that anything added to the property must match what is on the approved site plan for that property. Any changes to the site plan will have to go through the conditional rezoning process.