JACKSON — An amendment to the county’s Subdivision Regulations regarding the allowable number of driveway and road connections is now effective.

On Monday, the Northampton County Board of Commissioners voted again on the amendment that will lift the number of driveway and road connections on thoroughfares in the county with the exception of US and NC (158, 258, 305, 35, etc.) designated roads as well as River Road (State Road 1214), Jackson Bypass Road (State Road 1311) and Lebanon Church Road (State Road 1200).

The regulation previously allowed two driveway connections and one road connection per parent tract on record with the county.

However, the measure did not pass without some objection coming from Commissioner Chester Deloatch, who voiced his opposition at the first reading of the amendment last month.

The amendment needed a second reading by the commissioners for a second reading because it is a local ordinance and did not pass with a unanimous vote the first time.

“There’s still seven exceptions,” Deloatch noted during discussion.

County Manager Wayne Jenkins reiterated those exceptions and then referred to Planning and Zoning Director William Flynn.

“The way the ordinance currently reads is there are restrictions on those roads because they are major thoroughfares and you don’t want to increase congestion on those roads,” Flynn said. “That’s how the ordinance reads today.”

He added the amendment would lift the restrictions on the roads in the county except NC and US designated roads as well as the three other state roads.

“Why is Northampton County the only county with those restrictions,” Deloatch questioned.

“We’re not, sir,” Flynn responded.

After further discussion, Commission Vice Chair James Hester placed a motion on the floor to approve the amendment to the Subdivision Regulations and Commissioner Virginia Spruill offered a second. The measure passed in a 4-1 vote with Deloatch voicing objection.

The amendment to change that regulation, submitted by a developers group, was shot down initially by the commissioners on April 18 in a 3-2 vote. The commissioners decided to revisit the issue after receiving a letter from Phillip Moncure of Moncure Mobile Homes.