The Chatham County Planning Board voted 8–3 to recommend denial of the controversial Fearrington Preserve rezoning request and subdivision plat, citing significant conflicts with the county's Compact Communities Ordinance and Plan Chatham. While the developer highlights proposed affordable housing and stream restoration, board members and planning staff raised serious concerns regarding physical segmentation, traffic impacts, commercial scale reductions, and flood hazards along Pokeberry Creek, with the final legislative decision now resting with the Board of Commissioners on November 16.

About 250 North Chatham residents and supporters filled the main hall to hear 28 speakers, mostly opposing the developer’s submittal. Board members closed public comment and postponed deliberations and final recommendation votes until their next meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.