GATESVILLE – It appears that developers wishing to build major subdivisions in Gates County will have to wait a little longer.

During a workshop Monday night, the Gates County Planning Board recommended to the Gates County Board of Commissioners to extend the moratorium on all major subdivisions.

Originally, the moratorium was enacted in May of 2005 for six months and extended in November of 2005 for an additional 12 months.

The current extension, if the commissioners accept the Planning Board’s recommendation, would be in effect until May 30, 2007.

During the workshop, a public hearing was scheduled for the November 6 meeting of the commissioners to allow input on the proposed extension. To legally extend the moratorium, the board must create and pass an ordinance that meets criteria set out in the general statutes of the state.

The ordinance must state the problems or conditions leading to enacting the moratorium, the courses of action considered by the county and why those courses were deemed unsuitable. Additionally, which developments will be affected and how the moratorium will address the original problems must be listed in the ordinance.

The Moratorium Ordinance of Gates County will halt the review, consideration and approval of all major subdivisions in the county until May 30, 2007. Both the Planning Board and the Board of Commissioners feel that work remains on the creation of a Zoning Ordinance. The additional six-month moratorium would allow time for the completion of the initial Zoning Ordinance.

The Planning Board and Board of Commissioners are also in the process of amending the Subdivision Ordinance, the Manufactured Home and Manufactured Home Park Ordinance as well as the 1986 Development Ordinance. The work done on these areas to date leaves unanswered questions that the Board of Commissioners desire to be addressed before final approval.

Two informal open house meetings have been scheduled to allow the public to view the new zoning maps and particulars of the new amended ordinances. The first meeting will be Saturday, November 11 at TS Cooper Elementary School from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. The second meeting will be Saturday, November 18 at a yet to be determined location in Eure, also from 9 a.m. until 12 noon.