Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Union County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
12 issues
Intersection Driveway Spacing Requirements
New rules would keep driveways 300 feet from intersections on 55-mph roads and 230 feet on 45-mph roads — a safety fix for dark rural roads. Residents spoke in support and raised curve-related concerns.
Minor Subdivision Definition and Applicability
Splitting a parcel with a road used to let landowners multiply the number of lots they could create without a major subdivision — Commissioner Baucom noted one two-road parcel could have yielded up to 24 houses. Now the 8-lot cap applies to the original tract.
2029 Countywide Reappraisal Rescheduling
The next countywide property reappraisal is pushed from 2029 to 2031, after last cycle's reappraisal sparked major public concern. State trigger rules still apply — if values swing past 115% or below 85% of assessed, a revaluation is forced anyway.
Jesse Helms Park Field Lighting Bid Rejection
The board will consider rejecting the bid received for field lighting at Jesse Helms Park, likely because it came in too high. The park lighting project would need to be rebid or revised.
Cuthbertson Road Speed Limit Reduction
The board signed off on a resolution supporting lowering Cuthbertson Road from 45 to 35 MPH.
Subdivision Ordinance Text Amendments
Two public hearings will cover changes to the county's subdivision rules — clarifying when the minor subdivision process applies and how lots get access. These rules affect how land can be split and developed across the county.
Data Centers and Cryptomining Regulations
Union County now has real rules for data centers and cryptomining: they're limited to heavy industrial zones with special permits, bigger setbacks from homes, noise baselines and a 12-month teardown rule for abandoned sites. The county can't ban them outright under state law, so this shapes where and how they can be built.
Stage 2 Drought Declaration and Mandatory Water Restrictions
The county drops from drought stage two to stage one Thursday, easing mandatory water restrictions — some limits still apply.
Road Closures
Watch out for sudden delays today because multiple roads and railroad crossings are shut down across Union County for construction work. You'll definitely want to check your GPS and leave a little extra time before heading out.
Proposed Commuter Rail Alternative
A public commenter proposed exploring a commuter rail line utilizing CSX right-of-way from Gateway Station through Matthews to Monroe as an alternative to capped transit funding.
Cost of Community Services and Residential Break-Even Study
The county is moving forward with a study to evaluate the fiscal impact of different land uses—agricultural, commercial, and residential—to help guide future growth and land-use decisions.
State-Mandated Building Code Fee Increases
The county had to adjust building permit fees because the state moved code enforcement from insurance to the Department of Labor, requiring local fees of $100 for commercial and $25 for residential permits to fund state operations.