NC Court Upholds Limits On Zoning

RALEIGH — In a potentially significant decision, the North Carolina Court of Appeals has held that the addition of the phrase “without limitation” to a list of specific reasons why a town can reject a land-use decision does not grant the locality new authority. The town may reject only an application for a reason that is specifically listed in its zoning ordinances, it found. The case involves a Knightdale couple who wanted to put a modular house on a piece of property zoned “residential/agricultural.” After hearing public comment, the town council rejected the proposal, citing fears about the impact a modular home would have upon the value of neighboring properties.