In Taylor v. City of Raleigh, 290 N.C. 608, 621, 227 S.E.2d 576, 584 (1976), the action challenging a rezoning ordinance was brought two years and twenty-two days after the ordinance was adopted; during that time, the purchaser of the rezoned property incurred expenses in the development and use of the property. The Supreme Court held that laches barred the suit challenging the rezoning. By contrast, laches was not found in other cases recited in Taylor where challenges had been brought within four days to three months of the passage of the ordinance.