A development agreement must include certain core details, and it may include timing provisions, but it cannot add an unauthorized tax or impact fee.
(a)A development agreement shall, at a minimum, include all of the following: (1)A description of the property subject to the agreement and the names of its legal and equitable property owners. (2)The duration of the agreement. However, the parties are not precluded from entering into subsequent development agreements that may extend the original duration period. (3)The development uses permitted on the property, including population densities and building types, intensities, placement on the site, and design. (4)A description of public facilities that will serve the development, including who provides the facilities, the date any new public facilities, if needed, will be constructed, and a schedule to assure public facilities are available concurrent with the impacts of the development. In the event that the development agreement provides that the local government shall provide certain public facilities, the development agreement shall provide that the delivery date of such public facilities will be tied to successful performance by the developer in implementing the proposed development, such as meeting defined completion percentages or other performance standards. (5)A description, where appropriate, of any reservation or dedication of land for public purposes and any provisions agreed to by the developer that exceed existing laws related to protection of environmentally sensitive property. (6)A description, where appropriate, of any conditions, terms, restrictions, or other requirements for the protection of public health, safety, or welfare. (7)A description, where appropriate, of any provisions for the preservation and restoration of historic structures. (b)A development agreement may also provide that the entire development or any phase of it be commenced or completed within a specified period of time. If required by ordinance or in the agreement, the development agreement shall provide a development schedule, including commencement dates and interim completion dates at no greater than five-year intervals; provided, however, the failure to meet a commencement or completion date does not, in and of itself, constitute a material breach of the development agreement pursuant to G.S. 160D-1008 but must be judged based upon the totality of the circumstances. The developer may request a modification in the dates as set forth in the agreement. (c)If more than one local government is made party to an agreement, the agreement must specify which local government is responsible for the overall administration of the development agreement. A local or regional utility authority may also be made a party to the development agreement. (d)The development agreement also may cover any other matter, including defined performance standards, not inconsistent with this Chapter. The development agreement may include mutually acceptable terms regarding provision of public facilities and other amenities and the allocation of financial responsibility for their provision, provided any impact mitigation measures offered by the developer beyond those that could be required by the local government shall be expressly enumerated within the agreement, and provided the agreement may not include a tax or impact fee not otherwise authorized by law. (e)Consideration of a proposed major modification of the agreement shall follow the same procedures as required for initial approval of a development agreement. What changes constitute a major modification may be determined by ordinance adopted pursuant to G.S. 160D-1003 or as provided for in the development agreement. (f)Any performance guarantees under the development agreement shall comply with G.S. 160D-804.1. History: History.2019-111, s. 2.4; 2020-3, s. 4.33(a); 2020-25, ss. 26, 51(a), (b), (d).