Planning Board & Board of Adjustment
Planning Board
Board of Adjustment
Member Roster
Enabling Legislation
Special Use Permit Process
Application
Planning Board
Planning Board
The Planning Board makes recommendation on general plans for managing the growth of the community. This includes rezoning proposals, special use permits, subdivision review, and changes to the Development Ordinance. The Planning Board is also responsible for monitoring the relevance of the Comprehensive Plan and makes recommendations to the City Council to update the Plan on an annual basis.
Board of Adjustment
Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment functions as a quasi-judicial board and meets as-needed. They review variances and appeals of staff decisions. Due to the infrequent meeting schedule of the Board of Adjustment, the Board is comprised of the same membership as the Planning Board. However, their roles are not related. All appeals of Board of Adjustment decisions are made to Superior Court.
Member Roster
Planning Board Members (Term Expiration):
Five of the seven members are appointed by City Council while two members are from Graham’s Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) and are appointed by the Alamance County Commissioners.
Dean Ward | Chair (2025)
Charles Huffine | ETJ member (2026)
Tony Bailey (2025)
Michael Benesch | ETJ member (2025)
John Wooten (2026)
James Stockert (2026)
Jim Young (2027)
Board of Adjustment Members (Term Expiration):
Three of the Board of Adjustment members are appointed by the City Council and two members from Graham’s Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) are appointed by the Alamance County Board of Commissioners. The Board of Adjustment has two alternate members, who also serve as members of the Planning Board and are appointed by the City Council, to serve in the event of a vacancy or absence of a regular member. All members serve three-year staggered terms.
Dean Ward – Chair (2025)
Charles Huffine (ETJ member) (2026)
James Stockert (2026)
John Wooten – Alternate (2026)
Tony Bailey (2025)
Michael Benesch (ETJ member) (2025)
Jim Young (BOA Alternate-2027)
Enabling Legislation
Enabling Legislation
The North Carolina General Assembly authorizes City Council to create and appoint a Planning Board as well as a Board of Adjustment. The specific language of the state statute can be found below. The Graham Development Ordinance includes additional details regarding these boards.
Special Use Permit Process
Special Use Permit Process
What are special use permits?
Special use permits are for land uses that are allowed in a particular zoning district, but only if certain specified findings or conditions per the Graham Development Ordinance are met. The decision making process for special use permits is “quasi-judicial” in nature and is subject to demanding procedural rules, including the requirement of a formal evidentiary public hearing.
Where does the special use permit process begin?
A landowner or developer submits a special use permit application to the Planning Department. Once a meeting date is assigned (usually the second Tuesday of the month), public hearing notices are published in the local newspaper two weeks prior to the meeting, the property is posted with a public hearing notice sign and informational letters about the proposal are mailed to adjacent property owners.
Who conducts the hearing for a special use permit?
Requests for special use permits are heard at public hearings of the Graham City Council and the Graham Planning Board.
(Click Here) to open the Citizen’s Guide to the Special Use Permit Process
Application
Submit an application
If you are interested in one of the City of Graham appointed positions click here to apply.
Meeting Details:
Regular meetings of the Planning Board & Board of Adjustment are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 201 South Main Street.
Volunteer:
Interested in volunteering to serve on the Planning Board? There are a few important things to consider. All members must live in the City of Graham or its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Planning Board Meetings may last up to 4 hours and it is anticipated that members will spend additional time prior to each meeting reviewing proposed projects. Applicants should have an interest in current and future development.
We encourage potential volunteers to attend a meeting and talk with the staff liaison or Chairperson to answer any questions you may have prior to completing an application.
Note: Your address may not always reflect whether you are a City of Graham resident. If you are interested in serving on the Planning Board but live in the City’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) please fill out the Alamance County application. If you are unsure about your residences status you may wish to reference the City of Graham map or contact the City Clerk (336) 570-6700 ext. 3103 to inquire.
Planning Board Agendas & Minutes
| PB Application Deadline | Public Notice Date | PB Meeting Date | CC Meeting | PB Agenda Packet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/25/23 | 01/12/2023 | 1/16/24 | 2/13/24 | Cancelled |
| 1/25/24 | 2/16/23 | 2/20/24 | 03/12/2024 | Cancelled |
| 2/25/24 | 3/15/23 | 3/19/24 | 04/09/2024 | Agenda Packet |
| 3/25/24 | 04/10/2023 | 4/16/24 | 5/14/24 | Agenda Packet |
| 4/25/24 | 5/17/23 | 5/21/24 | 06/11/2024 | Cancelled |
| 5/25/24 | 6/14/23 | 6/18/24 | 07/09/2024 | Agenda Packet |
| 6/25/24 | 07/12/2023 | 7/16/24 | 8/13/24 | Agenda Packet |
| 7/25/24 | 8/16/23 | 8/20/24 | 09/10/2024 | Agenda Packet |
| 8/25/24 | 9/13/23 | 9/17/24 | 10/08/2024 | Agenda Packet |
| 9/25/24 | 10/10/2023 | 10/15/24 | 11/12/2024 | Agenda Packet |
| 10/25/24 | 11/15/23 | 11/19/24 | 12/10/2024 | |
| 11/25/24 | 12/13/23 | 12/17/24 | 1/14/25 | Agenda Packet |
Board of Adjustment Calendar
| Application Due | Public Notice Date | BOA Meeting Date | BOA Agenda Packet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/25/23 | 2/17/2023 | 2/21/23 | |
| 2/25/23 | 3/17/23 | 3/21/23 | |
| 3/25/23 | 4/14/23 | 4/18/23 | |
| 4/25/23 | 5/12/23 | 5/16/23 | Agenda Packet |
| 5/25/23 | 6/16/23 | 6/20/23 | Agenda Packet |
| 6/25/23 | 7/14/23 | 7/18/23 | Agenda Packet |
| 7/25/23 | 8/11/23 | 8/15/23 | Agenda Packet |
| 8/25/23 | 9/15/23 | 9/19/23 | |
| 9/25/23 | 10/13/23 | 10/17/23 | |
| 10/25/23 | 11/17/23 | 11/21/23 | |
| 11/25/23 | 12/15/23 | 12/19/23 |
FAQ's
You’re in the right spot! Above in the Agendas & Minutes section of the page you will find the next Planning Board or Board of Adjustment meeting and click on the corresponding agenda packet link with all of the information the applicant has provided. Still have questions? Give us a call at 336-570-6705.
The Planning Board serves in an advisory capacity to City Council. Their primary role is to determine whether the proposed rezoning meets the goals of the 2035 Comprehensive Plan and gather any other evidence that may influence City Council’s final decision. As such, legal notice is not required ahead of the Planning Board meeting. However, neighboring property owners will be notified by mail at least one week prior to the City Council Meeting. The City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall (201 S. Main St.).
Check the Agendas & Minutes section above for details about when the next meeting will be held as well as the agenda packet. Planning Board meetings are scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 201 South Main Street.
The process is explained in the above section, click here to open the citizen’s guide to the Special Use Permit Process.