Town of Stanfield Planning & Zoning Board

Overview, Responsibilities, and Rules of Procedure

The Stanfield Planning and Zoning Board (commonly referred to as the Planning Board) serves as an advisory body responsible for guiding growth, land development, and municipal planning within the Town of Stanfield, North Carolina, and its designated Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Adopted under its official Rules of Procedure on March 5, 2009, the Board maintains a structured process to ensure balanced community growth and proper administration of zoning ordinances.

Objective and Core Functions

The primary objective of the Planning Board is to build and maintain a continuing, cooperative planning program to benefit the citizens of Stanfield and its surrounding planning area.

Key responsibilities of the Planning Board include:

• Community & Area Studies: Conducting ongoing studies of the town and ETJ to identify growth trends and community needs.
• Development Objectives & Planning: Establishing developmental goals and preparing formal land-use plans to guide future expansion.
• Ordinance & Policy Recommendations: Drafting and recommending policies, zoning ordinances, and administrative procedures to the Board of Commissioners.
• Zoning & Conditional Use Review: Reviewing and making formal recommendations on proposed amendments to the Stanfield Zoning Ordinance, Land Use Plan, conditional use permits, and zoning designations for property annexations.
• Public & Commission Liaison: Keeping the Board of Commissioners and the general public informed on local planning issues.

Board Structure and Membership

The Planning Board consists of 5 regular voting members and up to 4 alternate members. To ensure representation across municipal and regional boundaries, membership is divided between town residents and extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) residents.

Leadership and Governance

• Chair & Vice-Chair: Elected annually by the Planning Board members during the regular meeting in January. The Chair presides over all meetings, establishes temporary and standing committees, and leads discussions. The Vice-Chair assumes these duties in the Chair’s absence.
• Board Secretary: The Town Administrator (or their designee) serves as the official Secretary to the Board. Responsibilities include preparing agendas (in consultation with the Chair), keeping official minutes, maintaining records, and managing Board correspondence.

Meeting Rules & Operational Standards

Regular & Special Meetings

• Schedule: Regular meetings are held on the last Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Stanfield Town Hall.
• Public Access: All regular and special meetings are open to the public. Meeting notices and agendas are publicly displayed at Town Hall at least 7 days prior to regular meetings.
• Special Meetings: Can be called by the Chair provided a minimum of 48 hours advance notice is given to all members and posted publicly.
• Cancellation: If no business is pending, or if a quorum cannot be met, the Secretary may cancel a regular meeting on behalf of the Chair.

Quorum and Voting

• A minimum of 3 members constitutes a official quorum required to transact business.
• Alternate members may temporarily fill open seats to achieve a quorum and vote when regular members are absent.