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Board of Commissioners

Chatham County · Board of Commissioners
Monday, November 17, 2025 at 2:00 pm · Historic Courthouse Courtroom

Regular meeting Grants and outside fundingParks and recreationSubdivision and site plansPublic facilitiesTax rate and revaluationZoning text amendmentAppointments and personnelArts and public artBudget and appropriationsContracts and procurementFarmland and open spaceHousing and affordabilityImmigration and enforcementRezoningRoads and transportation

What was decided

  1. Approved 25-0565Receive a presentation and vote to approve FY2026 Chatham Agricultural Preservation and Development Farmland Grant Awards and Triangle Lands Conservancy Partner Update approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner David Delaney, that the FY2026 Chatham Agricultural Preservation and Development Farmland…
  2. Received 25-0569Receive a presentation from staff about the Compact Communities Ordinance waiver provision and provide direction on how to process future waiver requests received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  3. Received 25-0499Receive a presentation on the updated Leadership Academy curriculum received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  4. Approved 25-0590Vote to go into closed session pursuant to § 143-318.11 (a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee approved · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, to go into closed session pursuant to § 143-318.11 (a)(6) to…
  5. Approved 25-0591Vote to come out of closed session approved · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, seconded by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, to come out of closed session. The motion carried by the following…
  6. Approved 25-0566Vote to approve a contract with North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for the phase one development of Parker’s Ridge Park for $500,000 with a local match of $743,857 approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that a contract with North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund…
  7. Approved 25-0567Vote to approve the proposal for the completion of the 2029 reappraisal project to be conducted by Tanner Valuation Group LLC for $385,000 approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that the proposal for the completion of the 2029 reappraisal projec…
  8. Approved 25-0568Vote to approve the submission of a $10,000 North Carolina State University AgVentures Community Grant application for the purchase of cattle handling equipment with a $2,555 county match approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that the submission of a $10,000 North Carolina State University Ag…
  9. Approved 25-0570Vote to adopt a Resolution for the NCDOT Road Addition of Cedar Grove Road, Eagle Crest Court, and Owls Nest Court in the Cedar Mountain Subdivision adopted · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that 25-76 Resolution for the NCDOT Road Addition of Cedar Grove Roa…
  10. Approved 25-0575Vote to adopt the proposed Goldston Library Renovation Amended Project Ordinance and Siler City Center for Active Living Renovations Amended Project Ordinance approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that the Goldston Library Renovation Amended Project Ordinance and…
  11. Approved 25-0584Vote to approve Tax Releases and Refunds for October 2025 approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that the Tax Releases and Refunds for October 2025 were approved. T…
  12. Approved 25-0594Vote to approve a contract with North Carolina Division of Natural and Cultural Resources for the Deep River State Trail Feasibility Study in Chatham County for $150,000 with a county match of $75,000 approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that a contract with North Carolina Division of Natural and Cultura…
  13. Received 25-0595Hold a public hearing on the Recommended FY2027-2033 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  14. Referred 25-0573Hold a legislative public hearing requested for a text amendment to the Chatham County Zoning Ordinance by Gregory Smith to have the use of Recreational Facilities (gyms, yoga studios, et cetera) as a “P” Permitted use in the Industrial Light (Ind-L) zoning districts referred · This Agenda Item was referred to the Planning Board.
  15. Referred 25-0574Hold a legislative public hearing requested to rezone Parcel 5350 being approximately 66.017 acres, located at 3378 Christian Chapel Church Rd., from R-1 Residential to CD-RB Conditional District Regional Business for a recreation facility, Cape Fear Township referred · This Agenda Item was referred to the Planning Board.
  16. Received 25-0571Receive a presentation on the 2025 State of Chatham County Report received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  17. Continued 25-0587Vote to approve a request by Clay Matthews, on behalf of Swain Group, LLC for subdivision First Plat review and approval of Riverbend Estates at Laurel Ridge, consisting of 107 lots on 622.32 acres, located off Rock Rest Rd and Old Graham Rd, parcel 10927, 10919, 10922, 79194, 10925, 10923, 10924,10926, 66355, 85139, & 10970 tabled · This Agenda Item was tabled to a future meeting.
  18. Approved 25-0572Vote to approve a legislative request by the Chatham County Planning Department to amend the effective date of the adopted Unified Development Ordinance from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026 as a result of legislative action S382 and adopt a resolution approving a consistency statement confirming the original statement that the request supports all 10 goals of Plan Chatham adopted · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, to amend the effective date of the adopted Unified Development…

Another 2 items passed on the consent agenda, which is a single motion covering routine business. See the list.

Read from the agenda's recorded outcomes. Where the board published minutes, those are the record — this is a pointer to them.

What's on this agenda

Chatham County commissioners take up a first-plat review for Riverbend Estates at Laurel Ridge, a 107-lot subdivision on 622 acres off Rock Rest and Old Graham roads, at a joint work session and regular meeting. The agenda also includes public hearings on a countywide zoning text amendment to permit gyms and yoga studios in Industrial Light districts and a 66-acre rezoning at 3378 Christian Chapel Church Road for a recreational facility, plus a consent agenda covering park, library and reappraisal contracts.

Summarized from the published agenda. Read the agenda itself before acting on it.

Meeting recap

What happened, drawn from the records published after the meeting. Minutes

Commissioners approved a six-item consent agenda, including a $500,000 state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund contract for Parker's Ridge Park, a $385,000 reappraisal contract with Tanner Valuation Group, October tax releases and refunds, and a $150,000 state contract for a Deep River State Trail feasibility study. They also approved $650,400 in FY2026 Chatham Agricultural Preservation and Development farmland grants, covering four conservation easements and a $75,000 grant to the Triangle Land Conservancy.

The board referred two zoning requests to the Planning Board: a text amendment sought by Gregory Smith to allow gyms and yoga studios in Industrial Light districts, and a 66-acre rezoning at 3378 Christian Chapel Church Road for a recreational facility with cricket, pickleball and volleyball courts. Seven residents spoke during public comment, most opposing a separate request, the 107-lot Riverbend Estates at Laurel Ridge subdivision; a member of the family developing the property spoke in support. After extensive discussion of road access and archaeological concerns, commissioners took no vote and continued the Riverbend Estates plat review to a future meeting. They also voted to push back the effective date of the county's newly adopted Unified Development Ordinance from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026, citing a new state law, and held a closed session on a personnel matter.

How the votes went

Every recorded vote passed 5-0: the work session and regular session agendas, the consent agenda, the FY2026 farmland preservation grant awards, the votes to go into and out of closed session, and the change to the Unified Development Ordinance's effective date. The board took no vote on the Riverbend Estates plat review, continuing it to a future meeting instead. The zoning text amendment and the Christian Chapel Church Road rezoning were each referred to the Planning Board without a recorded vote count in the minutes.

From the published minutes.

Who spoke

7 members of the public spoke.

  1. Dr. Y.H. Pat, a Chatham County resident, opposed the Riverbend Estates subdivision on environmental grounds and asked commissioners to deny or modify it.
  2. Elaine Chiosso, a Rock Rest Road resident since 1974, asked the board to approve Riverbend Estates only if a later phase is removed from the first plat, or to postpone the decision.
  3. Aidan Paul, a Durham resident, said the archaeological survey done for the Riverbend Estates tract was insufficient to rule out historic burial sites.
  4. Daniel Amero argued that a recorded easement restricts a private road to a single use and does not permit the access Riverbend Estates would need.
  5. John Wagner asked the board to request an archaeological survey of the Riverbend Estates site, done with tribal representatives of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi.
  6. Jerry Markatos, a Haw Tree Lane resident, disputed the developer's right-of-way claims for Riverbend Estates based on his own review of recorded documents.
  7. Hadley Kirkland, a member of the family developing Riverbend Estates, described the family's long ties to the county and asked commissioners to approve the plat.

The comment period drew seven speakers, six of them addressing the pending Riverbend Estates subdivision. Five opposed it on environmental, archaeological or easement-access grounds; one, a member of the family developing the property, spoke in support. The board also received written comments, including one criticizing the county's zoning waiver process and one from an attorney representing neighboring landowners in the Riverbend Estates easement dispute.

Read from the records the government published after the meeting. Members of the public are private residents and are not named or indexed.

Speaking at this meeting

Chatham County's own rules for public comment — check them before you rely on anything here.

Jump to an item (42 on this agenda)
  1. Work Session - 2:00 PM - Historic Courthouse Courtroom
  2. CALL TO ORDER
  3. ADJUSTMENTS AND APPROVAL OF WORK SESSION AGENDA
  4. PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION
  5. 25-0592The Public Comment Session is held to give residents an opportunity t…
  6. BOARD PRIORITIES
  7. 25-0565Receive a presentation and vote to approve FY2026 Chatham Agricultura…
  8. 25-0569Receive a presentation from staff about the Compact Communities Ordin…
  9. 25-0499Receive a presentation on the updated Leadership Academy curriculum
  10. CLOSED SESSION
  11. 25-0590Vote to go into closed session pursuant to § 143-318.11 (a)(6) to con…
  12. 25-0591Vote to come out of closed session
  13. End of Work Session
  14. RECESS
  15. Regular Session - 6:00 PM - Historic Courthouse Courtroom
  16. CALL TO ORDER
  17. INVOCATION and PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  18. ADJUSTMENTS AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
  19. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
  20. 25-0566Vote to approve a contract with North Carolina Parks and Recreation T…
  21. 25-0567Vote to approve the proposal for the completion of the 2029 reapprais…
  22. 25-0568Vote to approve the submission of a $10,000 North Carolina State Univ…
  23. 25-0570Vote to adopt a Resolution for the NCDOT Road Addition of Cedar Grove…
  24. 25-0575Vote to adopt the proposed Goldston Library Renovation Amended Projec…
  25. 25-0584Vote to approve Tax Releases and Refunds for October 2025
  26. 25-0594Vote to approve a contract with North Carolina Division of Natural an…
  27. End of Consent Agenda
  28. PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION
  29. 25-0593The Public Comment Session is held to give residents an opportunity t…
  30. PUBLIC HEARINGS
  31. 25-0595Hold a public hearing on the Recommended FY2027-2033 Capital Improvem…
  32. 25-0573Hold a legislative public hearing requested for a text amendment to t…
  33. 25-0574Hold a legislative public hearing requested to rezone Parcel 5350 bei…
  34. BOARD PRIORITIES
  35. 25-0571Receive a presentation on the 2025 State of Chatham County Report
  36. 25-0587Vote to approve a request by Clay Matthews, on behalf of Swain Group,…
  37. 25-0572Vote to approve a legislative request by the Chatham County Planning…
  38. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS REPORT
  39. CLERK'S REPORT
  40. MANAGER’S REPORT
  41. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
  42. ADJOURNMENT

Agenda items (42)

Procedural · 16Contract or award · 4Public hearing · 4Staff or committee report · 4Presentation · 3Closed session · 3Consent agenda · 2Ordinance · 2Discussion item · 1Resolution · 1Budget action · 1Other · 1
  1. Work Session - 2:00 PM - Historic Courthouse Courtroom
    Procedural
  2. CALL TO ORDER
    Procedural
  3. ADJUSTMENTS AND APPROVAL OF WORK SESSION AGENDA
    Procedural
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the work session agenda was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4. PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION
    Procedural
  5. 25-0592 The Public Comment Session is held to give residents an opportunity to speak on any item. The session is no more than thirty minutes long to allow as many as possible to speak. Speakers are limited to no more than three minutes each and may not give their time to another speaker. Speakers are asked to sign up in advance. Comments are always welcome in writing
    Procedural
    No one signed up to speak during the work session's public comment period.
    received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  6. BOARD PRIORITIES
    Procedural
  7. 25-0565 Receive a presentation and vote to approve FY2026 Chatham Agricultural Preservation and Development Farmland Grant Awards and Triangle Lands Conservancy Partner Update
    The board approved FY2026 farmland preservation grant awards and heard an update from the Triangle Land Conservancy.
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner David Delaney, that the FY2026 Chatham Agricultural Preservation and Development Farmland Grant Awards were approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  8. 25-0569 Receive a presentation from staff about the Compact Communities Ordinance waiver provision and provide direction on how to process future waiver requests
    Discussion item Housing and affordability
    Staff presented on the Compact Communities Ordinance waiver provision and the board gave direction on processing future waiver requests.
    received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  9. 25-0499 Receive a presentation on the updated Leadership Academy curriculum
    Presentation
    Staff presented an updated county Leadership Academy curriculum.
    received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  10. CLOSED SESSION
    Closed session
  11. 25-0590 Vote to go into closed session pursuant to § 143-318.11 (a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, to go into closed session pursuant to § 143-318.11 (a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee. The motion car…
  12. 25-0591 Vote to come out of closed session
    Closed session
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, seconded by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, to come out of closed session. The motion carried by the following vote:
  13. End of Work Session
    Procedural
  14. RECESS
    Procedural
  15. Regular Session - 6:00 PM - Historic Courthouse Courtroom
    Procedural
  16. CALL TO ORDER
    Procedural
  17. INVOCATION and PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
    Procedural
  18. ADJUSTMENTS AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
    Procedural
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, to approved the regular session agenda as presented. The motion carried by the following vote:
  1. 25-0566 Vote to approve a contract with North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for the phase one development of Parker’s Ridge Park for $500,000 with a local match of $743,857
    The board approved a $500,000 state grant contract, with a $743,857 local match, for phase one development of Parker's Ridge Park.
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that a contract with North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for the phase one development of Parker’s Ridge Park for $500,000 with a local match of $743,857 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  2. 25-0567 Vote to approve the proposal for the completion of the 2029 reappraisal project to be conducted by Tanner Valuation Group LLC for $385,000
    The board approved a $385,000 contract with Tanner Valuation Group for the county's 2029 property reappraisal.
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that the proposal for the completion of the 2029 reappraisal project to be conducted by Tanner Valuation Group LLC for $385,000 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  3. 25-0568 Vote to approve the submission of a $10,000 North Carolina State University AgVentures Community Grant application for the purchase of cattle handling equipment with a $2,555 county match
    Contract or award Grants and outside funding
    The board approved submitting a $10,000 grant application, with a $2,555 county match, for cattle handling equipment.
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that the submission of a $10,000 North Carolina State University AgVentures Community Grant application for the purchase of cattle handling equipment with a $2,555 county match was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  4. 25-0570 Vote to adopt a Resolution for the NCDOT Road Addition of Cedar Grove Road, Eagle Crest Court, and Owls Nest Court in the Cedar Mountain Subdivision
    The board adopted a resolution requesting NCDOT add Cedar Grove Road, Eagle Crest Court and Owls Nest Court to the state road system.
    adopted · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that 25-76 Resolution for the NCDOT Road Addition of Cedar Grove Road, Eagle Crest Court, and Owls Nest Court in the Cedar Mountain Subdivision was adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
  5. 25-0575 Vote to adopt the proposed Goldston Library Renovation Amended Project Ordinance and Siler City Center for Active Living Renovations Amended Project Ordinance
    Ordinance Public facilities
    The board adopted amended project ordinances for the Goldston library renovation and the Siler City Center for Active Living renovation.
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that the Goldston Library Renovation Amended Project Ordinance and Siler City Center for Active Living Renovations Amended Project Ordinance were approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  6. 25-0584 Vote to approve Tax Releases and Refunds for October 2025
    Budget action Tax rate and revaluation
    The board approved October tax releases and refunds.
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that the Tax Releases and Refunds for October 2025 were approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  7. 25-0594 Vote to approve a contract with North Carolina Division of Natural and Cultural Resources for the Deep River State Trail Feasibility Study in Chatham County for $150,000 with a county match of $75,000
    The board approved a $150,000 contract, with a $75,000 county match, with the state for a Deep River State Trail feasibility study.
    approved · Pass · A motion was made by Vice Chair Katie Kenlan, seconded by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, that a contract with North Carolina Division of Natural and Cultural Resources for the Deep River State Trail Feasibility Study in Chatham County for $150,000 with a county match of $75,000 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
  8. PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION
    Procedural
  9. 25-0593 The Public Comment Session is held to give residents an opportunity to speak on any item. The session is no more than thirty minutes long to allow as many as possible to speak. Speakers are limited to no more than three minutes each and may not give their time to another speaker. Speakers are asked to sign up in advance. Comments are always welcome in writing
    Seven residents signed up to speak, most about the Riverbend Estates subdivision considered later on the agenda; a member of the family developing that property spoke in support.
    received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
    Public hearing
  11. 25-0595 Hold a public hearing on the Recommended FY2027-2033 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP)
    Public hearing Budget and appropriations
    The board held a public hearing on the recommended capital improvements plan.
    received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  12. 25-0573 Hold a legislative public hearing requested for a text amendment to the Chatham County Zoning Ordinance by Gregory Smith to have the use of Recreational Facilities (gyms, yoga studios, et cetera) as a “P” Permitted use in the Industrial Light (Ind-L) zoning districts
    A public hearing on a zoning text amendment requested by Gregory Smith to allow gyms and yoga studios as a permitted use in Industrial Light districts. The board referred the request to the Planning Board.
    referred · This Agenda Item was referred to the Planning Board.
  13. 25-0574 Hold a legislative public hearing requested to rezone Parcel 5350 being approximately 66.017 acres, located at 3378 Christian Chapel Church Rd., from R-1 Residential to CD-RB Conditional District Regional Business for a recreation facility, Cape Fear Township
    A public hearing on rezoning about 66 acres at 3378 Christian Chapel Church Road from residential to conditional business for a recreation facility. The board referred the request to the Planning Board.
    referred · This Agenda Item was referred to the Planning Board.
  14. BOARD PRIORITIES
    Procedural
  15. 25-0571 Receive a presentation on the 2025 State of Chatham County Report
    Presentation
    received and filed · This Agenda Item was received and filed.
  16. 25-0587 Vote to approve a request by Clay Matthews, on behalf of Swain Group, LLC for subdivision First Plat review and approval of Riverbend Estates at Laurel Ridge, consisting of 107 lots on 622.32 acres, located off Rock Rest Rd and Old Graham Rd, parcel 10927, 10919, 10922, 79194, 10925, 10923, 10924,10926, 66355, 85139, & 10970
    A first plat review for Riverbend Estates at Laurel Ridge, a 107-lot subdivision on 622 acres off Rock Rest and Old Graham roads, requested by Clay Matthews for Swain Group LLC. The board tabled the item to a future meeting.
    tabled · This Agenda Item was tabled to a future meeting.
  17. 25-0572 Vote to approve a legislative request by the Chatham County Planning Department to amend the effective date of the adopted Unified Development Ordinance from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026 as a result of legislative action S382 and adopt a resolution approving a consistency statement confirming the original statement that the request supports all 10 goals of Plan Chatham
    The board pushed back the effective date of the county's newly adopted Unified Development Ordinance from December 31, 2025 to December 31, 2026, citing state legislative action S382, and adopted a consistency statement affirming the change supports Plan Chatham's goals.
    adopted · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, to amend the effective date of the adopted Unified Development Ordinance from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026 as a result of legislative action S382 and adopt 25-77 Resolution approving a consistency statement confirming the original statement that the request supports all 10 goals of Plan C…
  18. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS REPORT
    Staff or committee report
  19. CLERK'S REPORT
    Staff or committee report
  20. MANAGER’S REPORT
    Staff or committee report
  21. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
    Staff or committee report Immigration and enforcement
    Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores raised concerns about increased immigration enforcement activity in nearby communities and asked staff to explore a formal statement of support for affected residents; other commissioners voiced support for a resolution affirming the county's commitment to residents' safety.
  22. ADJOURNMENT
    Procedural
    adjourned · Pass · A motion was made by Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Robertson, that the meeting was adjourned. The motion carried by the following vote:

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