HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-23-2009 - E1 L •
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 23, 2009
Action Agenda
Item No. E. 1
SUBJECT: State of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Benedict, 245-2592
1. 2030 Comprehensive Plan Implement- Tom Altieri, 245-2575
ation Reporting —A Composite of
Department Reports
PURPOSE: Planning Staff to provide a status report on the implementation of the 2030
Comprehensive Plan.
BACKGROUND: This November marks the first anniversary of the adoption of the 2030
Comprehensive Plan. The adopted Plan includes a recommendation for Comprehensive Plan
Element status reports to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) every other year
beginning one year after Plan adoption;
Staff sees this first Report (Attached) as a starting point from which to build, with the goal being
a reporting process that is responsive and becomes more useful with each report. To this end,
staff offers its own ideas for improvement at the conclusion of the report and requests
constructive feedback from the BOCC and Managers Office.
Each County department involved in preparing an Element of the Comprehensive Plan has
participated in this reporting process, each completing and submitting a standardized reporting
form. All reporting departments are thanked for their participation, which began this past April
when staff met to discuss implementation and an acceptable reporting format.
Although the Report is 50-pages in length, due to the large number of Plan objectives (263), it is
not essential to read the entire document. These objectives are the pool of ideas that may be
helpful for staff, advisory boards, and BOCC to review each year as priorities are developed.
The Introduction to the Report (pp. 2-3) includes a description of its structure, which is intended
to guide the reader through the document to key information. Therefore, it is advised that the
reader begin with the Introduction and then proceed at their pleasure.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct public fiscal impact regarding this item.
RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends the Board receive the report from staff.
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2030 Comprehensive Plan '
Implementation Reporting -- A Composite of
Department Reports
November 2009
Table of Contents
Introduction (Structure of Report, Reporting Departments,
and Associated Advisory Boards) p. 2-3
1. Implementation Actions
a. Work Completed pp. 3-4
b. Work Initiated pp. 4-6
2. Element Objectives and Status
Economic Development pp. 7-11
Housing pp. 12-14
Land Use pp. 15-20
Natural and Cultural Systems
Agriculture pp. 21-22
Air and Energy pp. 22-24
Cultural Resources pp. 25-26
Natural Areas pp. 26-29
Water Resources pp. 29-33
Parks and Recreation pp. 34-37
Services and Facilities
Water and Wastewater pp. 38-40
Education p. 40
Library Services pp. 40-41
Erosion Control pp. 41-42
Solid Waste pp. 42-43
Public Safety pp. 43-44
Transportation pp. 45-47
Summary Chart p. 48
3. Additional Comments or Items to Report p. 49
4. Conclusion pp. 49-50
1
l 1
2030 Comprehensive Plan 3
Implementation Reporting -- A Composite of
Department Reports
Introduction: This November marks the first anniversary of the adoption of the 2030
Comprehensive Plan. The adopted Plan includes a recommendation for
Comprehensive Plan Element status reports to the Board of County Commissioners
(BOCC) every other year beginning one year after Plan adoption.
Although Planning Staff believes that this report and process is meaningful, it will be the
first to acknowledge that reporting methods can be improved. Staff sees this Report as
a starting point from which to build, with the goal being a reporting process that is
responsive and becomes more useful with each report. To this end, staff offers its own
ideas for improvement at the conclusion of this report and requests constructive
feedback from the BOCC and Managers Office.
Structure of Report: The following Report is provided in four (4) sections.
Information in Sections 1-3 is as reported by the staff associated with each respective
Element of the Comprehensive Plan. A look into the contents of each section is
provided below.
Section 1 - Implementation Actions are conveyed in two parts: 1 a. Work "Completed"
and 1 b. "Work "Initiated".
Section 2 - Provides the relationships between reported work items and 2030
Comprehensive Plan Objectives. As Section 2 is lengthy, due to the large number of
Plan Objectives (263), a Summary Chart of the information is provided on p• 48.
The status of each Objective is indicated as either Initiated, Completed,
Completed/Ongoing, Ongoing, or No Action. In a few cases, staff volunteered
additional written description of work towards a particular Objective (This may be
something to add to all status reports in the future). . Following is a brief explanation of
the terms used and how they have been applied to describe status:
Initiated- Work has been started and progress made towards achieving Plan
objective.
Completed or Completed/Ongoing- Objective is task specific and work has been
completed or a portion is complete but work remains (i.e. "Objective AE-1:Assess
and implement the current countywide greenhouse gas emissions inventory and
action plan target reductions." In this example, the inventory has been completed
but implementation remains -- status is "Completed/Ongoing").
Ongoing- In some cases, Plan objectives are not task specific but are expressions of
policy or an ideal end state. "Ongoing" indicates that work has been initiated and is
to be continued or maintained. (i.e. "Objective LU-2.1: Maintain the rural, low-
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4 density land surrounding Chapel Hill and Carrboro Transition Areas as Rural Buffer
land, as designated on the Land Use Plan. Future consideration should be given to
designating Rural Buffer areas around other municipalities where such interest
exists" This example is an expression of policy and until changed, maintaining
lands as Rural Buffer will be ongoing.
No Action- Not part of current work plan. Action may need to be initiated through
Capital Improvement Plan.
Section 3 - Provides an opportunity for respective staff to convey any additional,
pertinent comments or items to report (As most staff had nothing additional to report,
this may be a section to delete from future status reports).
Section 4 - Includes Planning Staffs concluding remarks regarding the reporting
process, need for constructive feedback, and ideas to improve future reports.
Reporting Departments: Economic Development Commission, Housing and
Community Development, Planning and Inspections, Environment and Resource
Conservation, and Parks and Recreation
Associated Advisory Board(s): Economic Development Commission, Affordable
Housing Advisory Board, Planning Board, Agricultural Preservation Board, Commission
for the Environment, Historic Preservation Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory
Council, and Orange Unified Transportation Board
1. IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
a. General Statements of Work Completed (bulleted list):
Economic Development
• The importance of compact and higher density development in areas served by
water and sewer and the desirability of mixed use projects that support walkable
communities is an understood concept of preferred development in the County
and is reflected in most economic development and planning policies (ED-2.1
and ED-2.2).
• The Business Climate Work Group provided a report on its assessment of private
sector job creation in its July 2006 update to the EDC Five-Year Strategic Plan
(ED-3.4).
Housing
• Repaired health and safety deficiencies in 23 deteriorated dwelling units
throughout the County. (H-1.1 and 3.3).
• Provided rental assistance to 10 homeless families during the last fiscal year.
(H-1.1 and 2.2).
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Land Use 5
• Land use and zoning amendments establishing Efland/Cheeks Highway 70
Overlay District.
• Zoning amendment relating to the amount of development of non-residential
land uses within certain watershed overlay districts.
• Process to prepare a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
• Process to implement Small Area Plans.
• Process for the Planning Board to develop recommendations annually for
Comprehensive Plan implementation work items.
• First Comprehensive Plan status report to BOCC.
Natural and Cultural Systems
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions inventory completed in spring; co-sponsored w/
Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough and UNC-Chapel Hill.
• CFE completed 2009 State of the Environment Report in spring.
• CFE and ERCD staff held Environmental Summit in September.
• HPC sponsored first joint meeting of preservation/historical organizations in May.
• Renewable energy stimulus project t(solar water heaters) submitted 9/21/09.
Parks and Recreation
• PR 1.4 Some alternative funding sources have been identified, and funds
received for park operations purposes.
• PR 2.4 The IPWG has developed and approved a "Guiding Principles Governing
Community Use of Schools for Recreation" document for consideration by the
municipal and school boards within Orange County. This has been adopted by all
jurisdictions except Chapel Hill and Orange County (slated for BOCC
consideration 11/5/09).
• PR 3.2 Individual park master plans have been implemented (and park
construction completed) at Efland/Cheeks Community/School Park, Little River
Regional Park and Natural Area, Cedar Grove Park, Eurosport (West Ten)
Soccer Center, and master plans completed for Blackwood Farm Park and
Hollow Rock Access Area (New Hope Preserve).
Services and Facilities
• Annual Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance Report.
• Bioretention at Farmers' Market (Stormwater Management).
• Library Services Strategic Plan.
• Solid Waste Advisory Board report.
Transportation
• American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) grant application for transit
vehicles and Twin Creeks Park Greenway (Authorization to Construct greenway
approved by NCDOT.
• Orange Unified Transportation Board developed work plan.
4
6 b. General Statements of Work Initiated (bulleted list):
Economic Development
• Development of the necessary tools and policies to attract businesses to the
County will continue to be of primary importance.
• The development of local and regional partnerships are vital to the success of
economic development in Orange County and will continue to be a focus.
• Pursuit of the County's desired businesses (clean and green) will continue.
• Public outreach and education on the objectives of the county's economic
development priorities will continue.
Housing
• Began survey of County Mobile Home Parks to determine condition and confirm
location. (H-4.1)
• A local non-profit organization began construction of a 50 unit affordable housing
subdivision for first-time homebuyers earning less than 60% of the area median
income. (H-3.1 and 3.2)
• Began repair of five duplexes to be available for lease by individuals with
disabilities. (H-1.3 and 3.2)
Land Use
• Comprehensive Plan implementation.
• Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
• Small Area Plan implementation.
• Establishment of consistency between Water and Sewer management, Planning
and Boundary Agreement and Land Use Plan.
• Zoning amendment relating to Outdoor Lighting.
• "One-stop" Central Permitting.
Natural and Cultural Systems
• Farmland Protection Plan completed by APB and other ag agencies, ready for
BOCC consideration/approval in November.
• Observation Well Network (Orange WellNet) authorized and underway. Partner
MOAs approved.
• Staffs from all organizations working to develop Greenhouse Gas study
implementation phase.
• ERCD is pursuing acquisition of additional high priority natural areas and wildlife
habitat for the County's Seven Mile Creek Preserve.
• Extent of mature hardwood forest harvested between 2003-2008 was determined
for the State of the Environment 2009 report.
• Mountains-to-Sea Trail and nature preserve reports prepared, for October BOCC
consideration.
Parks and Recreation
• PR 3.2 The park master plan for Fairview Community Park will be implemented
in 2009-2010.
• PR 4.4 A Recreation Needs Assessment will be included in the Parks and
Recreation winter Program Guide.
5
• Board consideration of Mountains to Sea Trail corridor and inclusion in parks and 7
land use plans(10/13/09).
• Twin Creeks Linear Park and Greenway Trail has approved funding and is slated
to begin construction early in 2010.
Services and Facilities
• Heritage Center Work Group established.
• Zoning amendments to permit wireless telecommunication facilities on County
owned property.
• Central Efland and North Buckhorn Sewer EPA SRF grants and loans.
• Eno Economic Development District water and sewer service area discussions
with the City of Durham.
Transportation
• Development of Comprehensive Transportation Plan.
• ARRA grant for two light transit vehicles for Orange Public Transportation flexed
to Federal Transit Administration contract with Chapel Hill Transit— need
Memorandum of Agreement between Orange County/OPT and Chapel Hill/CHT.
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2. ELEMENT OBJECTIVES 9
(Please identify the Objectives associated with the Implementation Actions reported under item
number 1 and indicate status as Initiated, Completed, Ongoing, or No Action)
Economic Development
Obiective ED-1.1:
Focus public education efforts on sustainability issues, looking at the social,
economic and environmental contributions of local businesses. (See also
Agricultural Objective AG-6.)
Recent efforts include public outreach with multiple audiences, serving on speakers'
panels, multiple media/publications (e.g. TBJ, Chapel Hill news interviews)
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective ED-1.2:
Form partnerships both within and outside the County to create a stronger business
climate and market the changes to existing and potential employers.
Important partnership activities include refunding RTRP, serving on RTRP executive
Board, development of relationships with local Chambers of Commerce, UNC, local
and regional developers.
Status/Action: Initiated
Obiective ED-1.3:
Develop clear criteria defining desirable businesses for the next five years.
Identification of the desirability of `green' businesses, laying the groundwork for the
EDC Advisory Board to further develop the definition of the `clear criteria'
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective ED-1.4:
Achieve the objective of adding 5,000 new private sector jobs in the County and
$125,000,000 in new commercial property by June 2010, with the goal of 75% of the
new jobs being filled by County residents.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective ED-1.5:
Identify barriers to development of desirable businesses and local businesses, and
mitigate these barriers.
Primary barriers have been identified as lack of site-ready land, lack of incentives,
lengthy development process, and community commitment to business development
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective ED-1.6:
Provide outreach, recognition and/or expedited service to new and existing
businesses that meet development criteria.
New businesses are identified through RTRP involvement, existing/business
retention program is not yet ready to initiate due to lack of offerings.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective ED-1.7:
Enhance Orange County's tourist industry. (See also Cultural Resources Objective
CR-8.)
Involvement on Convention and Visitor's Bureau supports this facet of Economic
Development.
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10 Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective ED-1.8:
Explore policies to use in attracting and encouraging development of companies and
enterprises that will build and expand upon the County's economic base.
Applicable policies include incentives, infrastructure, certified sites, and discussions
with local developers, joint economic development work sessions with local
Chambers of Commerce, UNC and the Downtown Partnership. The EDC Advisory
Board's continued education with respect to the potential use of these available
policies will support the ongoing development of these policies.
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective ED-2.1:
Encourage compact and higher density development in areas served by water and
sewer. (See also Land Use Objective LU-1.1 and Water and Wastewater Objective
WW-5.)
Status/Action: Completed
Obiective ED-2.2:
Encourage mixed use projects that support walkable communities.
Status/Action: Completed
Objective ED-2.3:
Promote public transportation, alternative modes of transportation, and encourage
carpooling and park-and-ride participation. (See also Land Use Objectives LU-1.1,
LU-3.2 and Transportation Objective T-1.1.)
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective ED-2.4:
Support the County's "Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance."
Status/Action: No Action
Objective ED-2.5:
Identify lands suitable to accommodate the expansion and growth of commercial and
industrial uses in the County.
Identified lands include the three Economic Development Districts (Mebane,
Waterstone, Eno), land located at intersection of 1-40 and Highway 86 (MLK Blvd) in
Chapel Hill.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective ED-2.6:
Identify areas that are desirable and attractive to major corporate users with access
to public transportation networks and possibly rail.
See ED-2.5 above
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective ED-2.7:
Select industrial sites in Economic Development Areas based on present and
planned supporting systems, such as public water and sewer, access to adequate
highway, rail, or public transportation infrastructures, and minimize detrimental
environmental or negative social outcomes. (See also Water and Wastewater
Objective WW-15.)
See ED-2.5 above
Status/Action: Ongoing
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Objective ED-2.8: 1 1
Adjust ongoing designation and zoning of Economic Development Districts to avoid
the area designated as the Rural Buffer. (See also Land Use Objectives LU-3.1 and
LU-3.3.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective ED-2.9:
Consider industrial sites in Agricultural-Residential areas along the U.S. 70/1-85
highway and rail corridor to take advantage of the corridor's locational attributes. A
limited number of small scale Rural Industrial Nodes, not requiring urban type
services, may be appropriate elsewhere in the County where good access exists.
(See also Land Use Objective LU-3.5.)
As referenced in ED-2.5 above, suitable sites will be identified based on
development suitability and business requirements.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective ED-2.10:
Extend public water and sewer into all three Economic Development Districts. (See
also Land Use Objective LU-1.1 and Water and Wastewater Objective WW-2.)
This is a primary requirement for economic development to occur.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective ED-2.11:
Establish adequate information networks throughout the towns and County.
Various information networks are continually being developed including utilization of
local media outlets, and participation in numerous regional partnerships and work
groups.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective ED-2.12:
Work with all area universities to identify space needed for businesses created
through university research, promote development of such space within the County,
and encourage such businesses to stay in Orange County.
As identified in ED-2.11 above, numerous partnerships have been and are being
developed with local and regional partners, including various university departmental
partnerships, from, the Center for Research and Economic Development to the
Office of the Chancellor
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective ED-3.1:
Develop and nurture partnerships that support workers and their families at all
stages of their lives and provide opportunities for lifelong learning and retraining in
response to changing economic conditions.
Have developed partnerships with multiple workforce development partners
including Durham Technical Community College, the JobLink center, the Workforce
Development Board, as well as the local schools.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective ED-3.2:
Promote access to living wage jobs that offer benefits and career advancement
potential.
9
12 See response to ED-3.1 above.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective ED-3.3:
Form partnerships with Durham Technical Community College, UNC-Chapel Hill,
Chapel Hill/Carrboro Schools, Orange County Schools, and others to provide
adequate training and education to enable workers in Orange County to obtain high
quality jobs.
See response to ED-3.1 above.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective ED-3.4:
In coordination with the Business Climate working group, help communicate the
types of jobs the County wants and expects to create so that workers can develop
realistic career expectations and obtain appropriate training.
The Business Climate Work Group provided a report on its assessment of private
sector job creation in its July 2006 update to the EDC Five-Year Strategic Plan.
Status/Action: Completed
Objective ED-3.5:
Ensure that County workers and those preparing for the workforce have access to
transportation, child care, elder care, and affordable housing. (See also Housing
Objective H-1.5.)
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective ED-4.1:
Enhance historic character by supporting organizations' efforts to preserve, promote,
and maintain historic structures, and identify Orange County policies that may be in
conflict with these efforts. (See also Cultural Resources Objective CR-2, CR-3, and
CR-5, and Housing Objective 3.6.)
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective ED-4.2:
Provide lifelong learning opportunities, from early childhood through senior citizens.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective ED-4.3:
Welcome and promote greater inclusiveness and diversity.
The Director serves as the economic development ambassador of inclusiveness and
diversity.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective ED-4.4:
Enhance rural and agricultural community character by supporting local agriculture
markets, supporting complementary conservation and management tools, and
considering tools to make farming more profitable. (See also Agriculture Objective
AG-2 and AG-3.)
The Agriculture Economic Development Coordinator serves the economic
development needs of the County's agricultural community through projects such as
the Piedmont Food and Agriculture Processing Center and the PLANT @ Breeze
Farm Enterprise Incubator.
Status/Action: Ongoing
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Obiective ED-4.5: 13
Enhance urban character by connecting and supporting existing plans for increasing
the commercial tax base and for revitalizing the downtown areas of Carrboro,
Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough.
Ongoing collaboration with the economic development professionals from Chapel
Hill and Carrboro, the director of the Downtown Partnership and the presidents of
the local chambers of commerce provide continued opportunities for joint planning.
Status/Action: Ongoing
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14 Housing
Objective H-1.1:
Assist in the rehabilitation and development of affordable housing and promotion of
community development programs in the County using multiple strategies including
implementation of the Countywide Housing and Community Development
Consolidated Plan.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective H-1.2:
Concentrate the Orange County Community Development Block Grant Program
efforts and resources in those areas of the County occupied by low and moderate-
income households and having the most severe housing and community
development needs.
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective H-1.3:
Increase the provision of housing assistance for households in need and coordinate
with public and non-profit organizations responsible for providing community
services and housing in the County.
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective H-1.4:
Coordinate with the municipalities to maintain an adequate supply of residentially
designated land to accommodate sustainable levels of population growth and a
diversity of housing types countywide.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective H-1.5:
Ensure that a variety of housing types can be developed throughout the County in a
sustainable manner that locates housing near employment centers and commercial
centers and that efficiently uses existing and planned public services. (See also
Land Use Objectives LU-1.1 and LU-6.2, Economic Development Objective ED-3.5,
and Water and Wastewater Objective WW-2.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective H-1.6:
Promote innovative approaches to housing that are responsive to the needs of
Orange County, maintain quality and human scale, increase energy efficiency, and
reduce construction and maintenance costs.
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective H-2.1:
Accommodate the development of group homes, foster care facilities, transitional
housing facilities and other housing types in appropriate locations to provide
increased opportunities for social interaction, a de-institutionalized lifestyle, and
gainful employment.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective H-2.2:
Continue to address issues of chronic homelessness in Orange County.
Status/Action: Ongoing
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• 15
Objective H-2.3:
Increase the number of affordable multi-family housing units which are designed to
support the needs of the elderly, especially those with limited incomes.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective H-3.1:
Achieve residential neighborhoods that are attractive and well-maintained. (See also
Land Use Objective LU-2.10.)
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective H-3.2:
Require that all new housing built or located in Orange County meet the minimum
standards specified in the State of North Carolina Building Code, as well as
standards of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Farmer's
Home Administration, when appropriate.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective H-3.3:
Expand assistance in the retrofitting, repair, and maintenance of existing homes
owned by financially challenged households, particularly those that are senior
citizens.
Status/Action: Completed, Ongoing
Objective H-3.4:
Provide additional housing and rehabilitation assistance that targets and prevents
the physical decline of stable neighborhoods.
Status/Action: Completed, Ongoing
Objective H-3.5:
Review and consider the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star and
Water Sense standards for use as an integral part of the County's housing
rehabilitation program.
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective H-3.6:
Work within the Orange County government system to identify and resolve existing
policies which may be at odds with historic preservation goals, green building
approaches, and workforce and affordable housing efforts. (See also Cultural
Resources Objective CR-3 and Economic Development Objective ED-4.1.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective H-4.1:
Continue to permit HUD code-compliant manufactured housing as a form of
affordable housing in the County. (See also Land Use Objective LU-4.1.)
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective H-4.2:
Expand assistance for elderly households that have difficulty affording their home
property tax.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective H-4.3:
Evaluate the feasibility of development incentives to stimulate the production of
needed affordable low income housing. (See also Land Use Objective LU-4.4.)
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16 Status/Action: No Action
Objective H-4.4:
Working collaboratively with the towns, identify regulatory barriers to be removed
and opportunities for development incentives to encourage the construction of a
diverse range of housing types countywide. (See also Land Use Objective LU-4.2.)
Status/Action: No Action
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Land Use 17
Objective LU-1.1:
Coordinate the location of higher intensity / high density residential and non-
residential development with existing or planned locations of public transportation,
commercial and community services, and adequate supporting infrastructure (i.e.,
water and sewer, high-speed internet access, streets, and sidewalks), while avoiding
areas with protected natural and cultural resources. This could be achieved by
increasing allowable densities and creating new mixed-use zoning districts where
adequate public services are available. (See also Economic Development
Objectives ED-2.1, ED-2.3, ED-2.10, and Water and Wastewater Objective WW-2.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective LU-1.2:
Evaluate and report on whether existing and approved locations for future residential
and non-residential developments are coordinated with the location of public
transportation, commercial and community services, and adequate supporting
infrastructure (i.e., water and sewer services, high-speed internet access, streets
and sidewalks).
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-1.3:
Create a "sustainable development checklist" to be included as part of the
development review process that would evaluate and report on whether proposed
developments are appropriate considering existing on-site environmental conditions
and features, whether they are compatible with existing natural and cultural
resources, whether adequate provision of public services exist for the proposed land
use, and whether the proposed development will enhance community character.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-2.1:
Maintain the rural, low-density land surrounding Chapel Hill and Carrboro Transition
Areas as Rural Buffer land, as designated on the Land Use Plan. Future
consideration should be given to designating Rural Buffer areas around other
municipalities where such interest exists.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective LU-2.2:
Continue to protect valuable resource land such as productive agricultural areas,
natural areas, historic sites and properties, and potential reservoir sites through the
County's Lands Legacy Program, and by directing incompatible development away
from these areas through land use and zoning policies and regulations. (See also
Natural Areas Objectives NA-5 and NA-17, and Water and Wastewater Objective
WW-14.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective LU-2.3:
Require non-residential and higher-density residential developments within
Transition Areas to use Best Management Practices (BMP's) for stormwater control,
as outlined within the Orange County Zoning Ordinance and Sedimentation Control
15
18 Ordinance, to ensure that potential adverse impacts on the water quality of existing
and proposed reservoir sites are avoided. (See also Erosion Control EC-1 and
Natural Areas Objective NA-4.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-2.4:
Evaluate the development potential in rural crossroads communities to identify
whether current regulations permit appropriate development that is in character with
these communities, and whether potential development in these areas would require
significant expansions or cause depletions of public services.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-2.5:
Adopt and implement policies that specify appropriate land uses and intensities of
development in Protected and Critical Water Resource Areas that will not have
potential adverse impacts on water resources. (See also Water and Wastewater
Objective WW-15.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective LU-2.6:
Protect prime reservoir sites from adverse development impacts and ensure that
regulations for these areas are appropriate.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective LU-2.7:
Refine green building standards to guide the design, siting, construction, and
management of publicly owned and managed buildings in a manner that conserves
energy and/or uses non-polluting renewable energy sources. Explore the
development of green building standards for private development. (See also Air and
Energy Objective AE-11.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-2.8:
Develop performance standards for development on lands with non-renewable
resources to ensure a sufficient level of environmental protection for these
resources.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-2.9:
Evaluate the carrying capacity of groundwater and surface water resources of the 15
watersheds in Orange County. (See also Water Resources Objective WR-7.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-2.10:
Develop design standards or guidelines that address scale, density, and aesthetic
considerations for residential, mixed-use, industrial, and commercial land uses to
promote community aesthetics and the protection of the visual and cultural
environment of the County. (See also Housing Objective H-3.1.)
Status/Action: No Action
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Objective LU-3.1: 19
Discourage urban sprawl, encourage a separation of urban and rural land uses, and
direct new development into areas where necessary community facilities and
services exist through periodic updates to the Land Use Plan. (See also Economic
Development Objective ED-2.8.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective LU-3.2:
Coordinate land use patterns to facilitate the expanded use of non-auto modes of
travel, the increased occupancy of automobiles, and the development and use of an
energy-efficient transportation system. (See also Transportation Objective T-1.1,
Economic Development Objective ED-2.3, and Air and Energy Resources Objective
AE-8.)
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective LU-3.3:
Discourage new intensive non-residential land uses, or the expansion of existing
intensive uses, in the area designated Rural Buffer. (See also Economic
Development Objective ED-2.8.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective LU-3.4:
Recognize the right to farm and discourage the location of new non-farm
development, particularly more intensive residential development, within farming
areas to minimize the incidence of complaints and nuisance suits against farm
operations. (See also Agriculture Objectives AG-1 and AG-3.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective LU-3.5:
Encourage energy and water use in an efficient manner by industries and encourage
energy efficient industries to locate or expand in the County in Rural Industrial,
Commercial/Industrial, and Economic Development Nodes. (See also Economic
Development Objective ED-2.9.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective LU-3.6:
Establish consistency between the Land Use Plan and the Water and Sewer
Management Planning and Boundary Agreement and Map. (See also Water and
Wastewater Objective WW-3.)
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective LU-3.7:
Ensure that new development patterns in non-residential nodes encourage a
clustered, walkable development pattern and discourage strip development.
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective LU-3.8:
Develop a process for implementing small area plan recommendations through the
revision of County policies and regulations.
Status/Action: Initiated
17
20 Objective LU-3.9:
Create new zoning district(s) which allow for a mixing of commercial and residential
uses, a mixing of housing types, and creates a more pedestrian friendly
development pattern. New districts should be applied in areas where public services
exist or are planned for in the future, in areas that promote higher intensity and high
density uses on the Land Use Plan map.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-3.10:
Identify prime viewsheds along major transportation corridors and other areas, and
amend County land use ordinances to ensure long-term protection of viewsheds.
(See also Natural Areas Objective NA-16, Parks and Recreation Objective PR-5.4,
and Transportation Objective T-1.5.)
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective LU-3.11
In response to development plans at Carolina North, including the possible
relocation of Horace Williams Airport, review County land use ordinances and
amend if needed to protect the interests of Orange County's residents.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-4.1:
Support the use of individual manufactured housing units as a useful housing
resource in the County by increasing the opportunities where these units can locate
by-right. (See also Housing Objective H-4.1.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective LU-4.2:
Review and amend the Orange County Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances to
identify and eliminate existing regulatory impediments to objectives identified in the
Comprehensive Plan. Such objectives include but are not limited to the
development of energy efficient buildings within the County, water efficiency
standards for new development, and development of affordable housing. (See also
Housing Objective H-4.4 and Solid Waste Objective SW-4.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-4.3:
Determine how private developments can best accommodate or provide public and
private commercial recreational facilities to serve Orange County's residents. (See
also Parks and Recreation Objective PR-1.3 and Natural Areas Objective NA-10.)
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective LU-4.4:
Encourage the provision of a range of affordable and suitable low and moderate
income housing by means of development incentives in order to provide a balanced
housing stock for the residents of Orange County. (See also Housing Element
Objective H-4.3.)
Status/Action: No Action
18
V
Objective LU-4.5: 21
Work within the Orange County government system to identify and resolve existing
land development policies that may be in conflict with historic preservation goals.
(See also Cultural Resources Objective CR-3.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-4.6:
Prepare an analysis of subdivision trends in the County, providing pros and cons of
Minor, Major, and Exempt Subdivisions, and recommendations on any ordinance
amendments that may be appropriate.
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective LU-5-1:
Prohibit new development in special flood hazard areas as defined by the Federal
Emergency Management Flood Insurance Rate Map, effective February 2, 2007.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective LU-5-2:
Continue to implement the Orange County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective LU-5-3:
Develop and coordinate an emergency disaster plan and community education
program to increase awareness of the dangers of natural and human-made
emergency events and understand how best to prepare.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-6.1:
Undertake a comprehensive effort to inform and involve the citizens of Orange
County in the land use planning process.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective LU-6.2:
Maintain a cooperative joint planning process among the County municipalities and
those organizations responsible for the provision of water and sewer services to
guide the extension of service in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, the
Orange County-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Joint Planning Agreement and Land Use Plan,
and the policies of the municipalities. (See also Water and Wastewater Objective
WW-4.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective LU-6.3:
Develop internal process audits and customer surveys to ensure customer
satisfaction of the development review and approval process.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-6.4:
Develop educational and public information programs to increase awareness of the
potential for the design, construction and rehabilitation of commercial and residential
19
22 structures that are energy efficient and/or use non polluting renewable energy
sources.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-6.5
Establish a "one-stop" County central permitting office.
Status/Action: Initiated
Obiective LU-6.6
Evaluate and consider the "Community Building" recommendations of the Shaping
Orange County's Future's Task Force.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective LU-6.7
Add an index to the adopted Comprehensive Plan and develop an executive
summary of its contents.
Status/Action: No Action
20
Natural and Cultural Systems 23
Agriculture (AG)
Objective AGA:
Recognize and support the right to farm. Protect farm operations from incompatible
adjacent land uses or activities that will adversely affect the long-term agricultural
investment in land and improvements. (See also Land Use Objective LU-3.4.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Draft Farmland Protection Plan completed, BOCC to consider in fall 2009.
Obiective AG-2:
Pursue new measures (some of which may require special legislation) to make
farming more profitable, such as additional programs for tax assistance. (See also
Economic Development Objective ED-4.4.)
Status/Action: Initiated
Farmland Protection Plan speaks to economic development issues for farmers,
including potential options for property taxes.
Objective AG-3:
Develop programs and associated infrastructure facilities to make local farms more
economically viable, including local farm product processing, development of a
distribution center, and marketing initiatives. (See also Land Use Element Objective LU-3.4
and Economic Development Objective ED-4.4.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center underway. PLANT @ Breeze
Farm Enterprise Incubator program completed second season in spring of 2009.
Objective AG-4:
Minimize the negative impacts of future public projects (such as roads, utility lines,
etc) on farming operations and productive farmland. Conduct public review of
projects proposed by entities that have the power of eminent domain, and consider
the impact of such actions on agricultural activity.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective AG-5:
Teach the next generation about farming, support apprentice options, and promote
the pursuit of farming as an occupation. Develop community awareness of farming.
Status/Action: Ongoing
PLANT @ Breeze Farm Enterprise incubator program completed second season in
spring of 2009.
Objective AG-6:
Develop a single clearing-house information source for current agricultural topics,
agricultural programs, and events sponsored by Orange County and/or for local
farmers in conjunction with the Orange County Farms website. (See also Economic
Development Element Objective ED-1.1.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
The Economic Development Department's website includes several informational
links for Orange County farmers including www.Oran.geCountvFarms.org .
Reorganization and affiliation of Soil and Water Conservation District with ERCD
providing for more-coordinated response to agricultural issues.
21
24 Obiective AG-7:
Complete an examination of the local food system, and create a regional sustainable
food network, whereby local residents consume 10% locally grown and produced
products in five years.
Status/Action: Initiated
This concept is part of the previous Agricultural Center Work Group planning effort,
and has been discussed and outlined by County and outside agencies, but not
pursued to date due to funding.
Objective AG-8:
Encourage the use and production of natural fuel alternatives to petroleum-based
products and pursue new types of energy sources.
Status/Action: Initiated
Proposed Master Energy Plan would examine potential altemative energy sources.
New funding is becoming available from USDA for altemative-fuel farm equipment in
2010.
Objective AG-9:
Encourage farmers to continue to be model environmental stewards and promote
good forest stewardship management practices using state and federal programs
that provide financial assistance. (See also Natural Areas Objective NA-8.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Land Conservation Seminar series is being finalized that will feature sessions on
private conservation and forest stewardship and management— to begin in January
2010.
Air and Energy
Obiective AE-1:
Assess and implement the current countywide greenhouse gas emissions inventory
and action plan target reductions.
Status/Action: Completed, Ongoing
Inventory completed, implementation on-going (November 19 worksession update).
Objective AE-2:
Adopt a carbon reduction plan to reduce County green house gas emissions by a
target to be determined by the ongoing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Study by the
year 2020.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Potential targets have been identified in the GHG study, pending public forums in
each jurisdiction and elected board discussions on target-setting.
Objective AE-3:
In addition to local actions, the County should continue to join appropriate regional
initiatives meet or perform better then Federal ozone standards.
Status/Action: Ongoing
County is a member of the NC Air Awareness Network, sending email alerts to all
employees on ozone alert days and works to encourage County employees to take
steps to mitigate ozone.
22
Objective AE-4: 25
Work towards the installation of an ozone monitor in Orange County.
Status/Action: Initiated
Funding provided in CIP 2009-2019 for an ozone monitor. Preliminary conversations
held with NCDAQ regarding potential installation and costs.
Objective AE-5:
Develop an accounting and assessment of air and water pollution impacts in Orange
County (both increases and decreases). (See also Water Resources Objective WR-15.)
Status/Action: Initiated
Staff has begun studying such mechanisms and reviewing literature and other
programs.
Obiective AE-6 :
Minimize ozone exceedances by a percentage to be determined from future data by
the year 2015.
Status/Action: Initiated
Action toward this objective is tied to AE-2 and AE-4 above.
Obiective AE-7:
Expand and enhance Orange County's public transportation system (See also
Transportation Objective T-1.6.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective AE-8:
Improve transportation efficiency: promote more public transportation, ride sharing,
and alternative transportation such as bicycling and walking. (See also Transportation
Objective T-1.1 and Land Use Objective LU-3.2.)
Status/Action: No Action
Subcommittee work on Environmental Stewardship Action Committee (ESAC)
includes efforts to develop Best Workplace for Commuters status for Orange County
govemment, pending Board consideration.
Obiective AE-9:
Promote the use of more fuel-efficient vehicles, and vehicles that use sustainable
alternative fuels such as biofuel and electricity.
Status/Action: Ongoing
As part of County Vehicle Fuel Conservation Policy and Environmental
Responsibility Goal, new vehicle purchases are default fuel-efficient and alternative-
fuel, unless justification is provided for a different approach. GHG community action
steps are likely to include promoting awareness of alternative fuel vehicles in the
community.
Obiective AE-10:
Convert the County's vehicle fleet to fuel efficient and low-emissions vehicles.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Adopted Vehicle Fuel Conservation Policy addresses preference and default for
alternative fuel vehicles, has been in place since 1212005. Few new vehicles
purchased during this timeframe.
Obiective AE-11:
23
26 Improve the energy efficiency of buildings through several action steps: 1) upgrade
existing buildings, including County and school buildings; 2) educate planning and
building inspection officials about the technologies and techniques of energy efficient
construction; and 3) encourage the use of LEED "Gold" (or equivalent) as a standard
in new construction. (See also Land Use Objective LU-2.7.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Interdepartmental workgroup is focusing on improving energy efficiency in existing
county building, through ARRA stimulus grants, and completed building energy
assessments. Smaller scale projects include installing new storm windows on future
park buildings, part of Twin Creeks (Cate farmstead) stabilization.
Objective AE-12:
Provide a system for builders, owners, lenders, appraisers, and buyers of buildings
to assess the energy efficiency of structures.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective AE-13:
Develop an inventory of funding opportunities, programs, credits, etc., that can be
used to improve energy efficiency and to generate sustainable power. Identify ways
for the County to facilitate the use of these options by County businesses,
institutions, and residents.
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective AE-14:
Develop an accounting of Orange County agricultural and animal-related resources
in order to assess: 1) the potential for heat and power generation; 2) the potential for
distribution; and 3) the potential customers that could purchase the power generated
and ancillary products.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective AE-15:
Foster participation in green energy programs such as installation incentives for
solar hot water/solar generation/solar tempering in residential or commercial
construction. The County should develop programs that will link citizens and
businesses with options for alternative and sustainable energy sources.
Status/Action: Ongoing
County staff recently applied for ARRA renewable energy stimulus funding to install
solar water heaters for County Jail and two existing school buildings joint
application with Orange County schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City schools.
Future opportunities will include other energy efficiency, renewable energy and
revolving loan possibilities.
Objective AE-16:
Develop the use of alternative fuels and waste-derived fuels that will convert landfill,
water treatment, agricultural, and wood wastes into heat and electricity.
Status/Action: Ongoing
County and UNC have partnered on Landfill Gas to energy project that will convert
landfill methane to energy used for UNC facilities.
24
Cultural Resources (CR) 27
Objective CRA:
Provide for the systematic identification of historic buildings, objects, districts, sites,
structures and archaeological sites. Update and improve these inventories at
regular intervals.
Status/Action: Ongoing
The HPC is always updating the inventory, informally, as part of the annual Certified
Local Government Report. Members are also updated when a building is
demolished through the Quick Response Team (QRT) program.
Objective CR-2:
Establish stronger partnerships with preservation organizations for the dissemination
of information on current topics and to provide hands-on training, such as "how to"
publications, examples of design guidelines, technical briefs, etc. (See also Economic
Development Objective ED-4.1.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
As part of this year's Preservation Month (May) activities, the HPC sponsored the
first joint meeting with all of the major historic and cultural resource preservation
organizations in the County, including discussion of joint opportunities. .
Objective CR-3:
Work within the Orange County government system to identify and resolve existing
policies which may be in conflict with the County's historic preservation mission.
(See also Economic Development Objective ED-4.1, Housing Objective H-3.6 and Land Use
Objective LU-4.5.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
ERCD staff is already working more closely with Planning and Inspections staff on
permitting requirements for historic properties, such as Murphey School.
Objective CR-4:
Strive to make the community more aware of the activities of the Historic
Preservation Commission and its place in County government. (See also Economic
Development Objective ED-4.1.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
The HPC operated an informational-booth at the Last Fridays'Event in Hillsborough
during Preservation Month.
Objective CR-5:
Promote existing programs that offer financial incentives for preservation purposes
and pursue new programs to encourage the purchase, preservation, maintenance or
adaptive reuse of historic landscapes, and historic and soon to be historic structures.
(See also Economic Development Objective ED-4.1.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective CR-6:
Develop and strengthen educational programs to make history engaging to the
public.
Status/Action: No Action
25
28 Objective CR-7:
Encourage publication of material relating to the County's heritage.
Status/Action: Ongoing
The HPC is currently reviewing and finalizing draft Design Standards for Local
Landmarks.
Objective CR-8:
Determine the appropriate level of heritage tourism promotion in Orange County
based on interests and concerns of residents and coordinate heritage tourism efforts
with existing programs in the county. (See also Economic Development Objective ED-1.7.)
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective CR-9:
Explore ways to inform the public about archaeology, how archaeologists conduct
investigations and what they do with the findings. Consider "virtual" archaeological
display options to share information from County-sponsored cultural resources
surveys without risking salvage concerns.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective CR-10:
Establish a dialogue with the other jurisdictions in and adjacent to Orange County to
address cultural resources in areas with or without designated Historic
Preservation/District Commissions.
Status/Action: Ongoing
As part of this year's Preservation Month (May) activities, the HPC sponsored the
first joint meeting with all of the major preservation organizations, including
representatives from the three municipalities in the County.
Objective CRA 1:
Increase public information/awareness endeavors to promote land and cultural
resource stewardship — for individual homes, historic farmsteads and their
associated landscapes — as well as alternative means of private property dedication
and preservation.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective CR-12:
Provide for a user-friendly public input process for systematic acquisition of and
contribution to information about cultural resources
Status/Action: No Action
Natural Areas (NA)
Objective NA-1:
Conserve high-priority natural areas and wildlife habitats, including wetlands, rivers
and streams, floodplains, steep slopes, prime forests, wildlife corridors, and other
critical habitats. (See also Water Resources Objective WR-1.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
26
ERCD is pursuing opportunities to acquire additional land for the County's Seven 29
Mile Creek Preserve—land that is both ecologically significant and strategically
important for future public access, site management and for planned NC Mountains-
to-Sea Trail through Orange County.
ERCD is planning a series of landowner education/assistance workshops in
cooperation with Orange Soil & Water Conservation, Eno River Association, and NC
Forest Service to be held in late 2009-early 2010.
Objective NA-2:
Conduct more frequent updates to the County's inventory of natural areas, and
include previously unsurveyed areas of the County.
Status/Action: Initiated
ERCD working with NC Natural Heritage Program to update County inventory based
on more recent findings/data gathered by state entities. No progress yet, however,
on a County-initiated survey of new areas.
Objective NA-3:
Develop a more detailed and consistent methodology for monitoring changes in
forest cover throughout the County, and specifically the extent of mature hardwood
forest.
Status/Action: Initiated
ERCD determined the reduction in mature hardwood forest that occurred between
2003-2008 and included in the State of the Environment 2009 report. Further
refinement still needed, however, to develop the methodology for future applications.
Objective NA-4:
Encourage adequate stormwater runoff controls in existing developed areas and
require these controls for new subdivisions to protect sensitive downstream aquatic
habitat. (See also Land Use Element Objective LU-2.3 and Erosion Control Objective EC-1.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective NA-5:
Prohibit development that would cause adverse impacts on highly significant natural
areas and wildlife habitat. (See also Land Use Objective LU-2.2 and Water and Wastewater
Objective WW-14.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective NA-6:
Develop a way of monitoring common indicator species as a way to measure the
"state of biodiversity" in Orange County.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective NA-7:
Ensure that significant natural areas and wildlife habitat located on County-owned
lands are protected with adequate ecosystem management practices and
stewardship.
Status/Action: No Action
27
,l
30 Obiective NA-8:
Encourage forest management practices on both public and private land that
minimize disruption and fragmentation of intact hardwood forests. (See also Agriculture
Objective AG-9.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Stewardship and Management Plans are underway for County natural landholdings
that include forest management recommendations and the nature of the hardwood
forest habitat present. Public seminar to be held in 2010 on promoting sustainable
forest management.
Obiective NA-9:
Encourage long-term productivity of farms and timber lands through best land-use
management practices and conservation agreements. (See also Parks and Recreation
Objective PR-1.1.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
The Orange Soil & Water Conservation office and County Forester continue to
actively promote and encourage agricultural and forestry BMPs using technical
assistance and financial assistance through federal and state cost-share programs.
Lands Legacy conservation agreements address the use of best management and
forest stewardship on these lands.
Obiective NA-10:
Require that all major subdivisions (defined as having more than 5 lots according to
the Orange County Subdivision Regulations) include within their boundaries open
space suitable for low-impact recreation and wildlife habitat. (See also Land Use
Objective LU-4.3 and Parks and Recreation Objectives PR-1.3 and PR-4.1.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
The subdivision ordinance requires that most major subdivisions set aside a
minimum of 33% open space for low-impact recreation and wildlife habitat.
Obiective NA-11:
Develop a comprehensive conservation plan for achieving a network of protected
open space throughout Orange County, which addresses 1) threats to important
natural areas; 2) connectivity between protected areas; 3) coordination with
neighboring counties; and 4) sustainable management of critical natural resources.
(See also Parks and Recreation Objective PR-5.4.)
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective NA-12:
Establish a system of nature preserves that protect large areas of undeveloped land
(including significant natural areas) surrounded by low-density development and
working farms and managed forests. (See also Parks and Recreation Objective PR-5.4.)
Status/Action: Initiated
ERCD is working on a proposed Seven Mile Creek Preserve master plan that
includes consideration, with Planning and Inspections, of an Upper Eno Nature
Preserve concept (or Conservation District) for future BOCC consideration.
Objective NA-13:
Promote clustering of residential development and dedication of large areas of
undisturbed land for low-impact recreational use by residents and for wildlife habitat.
28
Where feasible, these areas should be contiguous to neighboring tracts of 31
undisturbed land. (See also Parks and Recreation Objective PR-5.1.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective NA-14:
Encourage developers and neighborhood associations to protect undeveloped
community open space through formal conservation agreements.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective NA-15:
Protect land in and around biologically significant areas, and connections between
these areas, to allow for the maintenance of native wildlife and plant populations and
their functional relationships.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective NA-16:
Create a system of public and private open space and conservation areas, including
parks, nature preserves, and scenic vistas representative of the Orange County
landscape. (See also Land Use Objective LU-3.10, Parks and Recreation Objective PR-5.4, and
Transportation Objective T-1.5.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
The County's Lands Legacy program (within ERCD) continues to work in
cooperation with landowners and other conservation partner entities to protect the
most important natural and cultural resource lands through a variety of means.
Priorities are determined by an Action Plan approved by the BOCC.
Objective NA-17:
Maintain and protect land that contains valuable productive resources, such as
prime farmland and prime forestland, by directing incompatible development away
from these areas. (See also Water and Wastewater Objective WW-14, Land Use Objective LU-
2.2, and Natural Areas Objective NA-5.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
The Planning and Inspections Department is overseeing the development of a
proposed Strategic Growth and Rural Conservation Plan, which (in tandem with the
adopted Comprehensive Plan) is intended to help implement this objective. A public
hearing on phase three of this project was held August 24, 2009.
Water Resources (WR)
Objective WRA:
Preserve natural resources such as grasslands, woodlands and wetlands to allow for
water recharge of ground water and water quality protection. (See also Natural Areas
Objective NA-1.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
This is occurring as part of the Lands Legacy Program and is a program objective.
Objective WR-2:
Create long-term conservation programs for ground water and surface water that will
help extend the life of our finite existing water supplies. (See also Water and Wastewater
Objectives WW-1 and WW-11.)
Status/Action: Initiated
29
32 H2Orange initiative and Orange WellNet include action and objectives toward this
end, with planning underway.
Objective WR-3:
Coordinate acquisition of open space for watershed protection purposes with
neighboring counties, for watersheds providing drinking water to Orange County or
neighboring citizens.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Coordination among Upper Neuse basin jurisdictions is accomplished and occurs
through the Lands Legacy Program and other conservation partners. Several Lands
Legacy acquisitions have been accomplished for watershed protection.
Objective WR-4:
Coordinate possible nutrient trading and stormwater credits between the towns and
County, including possible stream buffer acquisition or other land conservation
approaches.
Status/Action: Ongoing
ERCD staff is continuing to work with other departments and adjoining jurisdictions
on developing nutrient trading programs with regard to the Jordan Lake Nutrient
Management Rules.
Objective WR-5:
Promote and participate in regional efforts to plan for use of water supplies in the
region in an equitable manner, including contingency planning for water supplies
during droughts. (See also Water and Wastewater Objective WW-5.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
ERCD/Soil and Water staff (as well as Planning and Environmental Health stafo is
participating in several regional water planning efforts, including the Jordan Lake
Partnership, Upper New Hope Stakeholders Group, TJCOG Water Resources
Advisory Committee, Upper Neuse River Basin Association, Falls Lake Stakeholder
Group, among other meetings and activities.
Objective WR-6:
Ensure greater coordination among County agencies on water resources, including
cooperative efforts to prevent surface and ground water pollution by addressing
failing septic systems and wells. (See also Water and Wastewater Objective WW-19.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Water Resources Coordinator serves as convener and coordinator for multi-
departmental H2Orange Committee, chairing meetings and attempting to enhance
communication and interaction with other departments on various water issues.
Greater collaboration and communication has been achieved, particularly with the
Falls Lake watershed rules initiative, and on public education and outreach.
Objective WR-7:
Promote land use patterns that preserve the natural hydrologic system and maintain
a sustainable "carrying capacity" balance for the future between ground water and
surface water resources. (See also Land Use Objective LU-2.9.)
Status/Action: No Action
30
Objective WR-8: 33
Ensure that sufficient water resources are available for farms.
Status/Action: Initiated
To be discussed with Agricultural Preservation Board at an upcoming meeting.
Objective WR-9:
Encourage and participate in efforts by the state and other regional jurisdictions to
address the future use of Jordan Lake as a water supply, in a manner that links
sustainable growth to future water allocation.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Staff was very involved in the stakeholder and nutrient management rules efforts,
and continues participating in Jordan Lake Partnership meetings and activities.
Meeting of Chair and Mayors recently held to discuss linkage of growth and water
allocation, to be discussed further through TJCOG and the Orange-Chatham Task
Force.
Objective WRA 0:
Establish a county network of ground and surface monitoring wells to assist in water
resources planning and drought monitoring.
Status/Action: Ongoing
ERCD staff is continuing to work on developing Orange WellNet, the newly-
approved groundwater observation well network. Recent activities are focused on
the use of existing bedrock wells located in the 8 different types of bedrock geology
which are present in the county.
Obiective WRA 1:
Provide incentives and educational information to landowners to increase protection
of watersheds and ground water supplies and their inter-relationships.
Status/Action: Ongoing
ERCD staff has been named a Groundwater Guardian community for 2009, for the
seventh consecutive year. Educational activities have occurred and are ongoing
through community events and street fairs, as well as the Dealing with the Drought
educational forum series. Drought information is posted to the ERCD web site and in
the lobby of the Agricultural Center.
Obiective WRA 2:
Prepare a new Orange County Water Supply Study, and make updated supply and
demand projections that can be used to inform future decision-making.
Status/Action: Ongoing
ERCD staff has worked with staff from the Planning Department to develop water
demand projections in support of Jordan Lake Partnership activities, including the
Regional Water Supply Plan and possible future Jordan Lake allocation request.
Obiective WRA 3:
Create a mechanism for intergovernmental coordination of water resources,
calculating a comprehensive County "water budget" approach.
Status/Action: Ongoing
31
34 Intergovernmental communication and coordination is accomplished by the
H2Orange Committee, convened by ERCD with regular meetings to enhance
communication and interaction with other departments on various water issues. This
committee maintains regular contact with other water providers and water resources
stakeholders through the many and varied regional water associations.
Objective WR-14:
Use the new Water Supply Study (WRA 1) and the State's Neuse River Basin model
(2009-10) to evaluate the Upper Eno Watershed and its optimal protection
measures.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective WR-15:
Conduct cooperative research on ground and surface water quality, working with
other partners in the County and adjoining jurisdictions to address water quality
problems such as radon. (See also Air and Energy Objective AE-5.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
ERCD staff is continuing to develop the new Orange WellNet, the groundwater
observation well network. In addition, partnerships are being explored and
informational brochures regarding radon and arsenic in groundwater has been
drafted and is being evaluated for future public information efforts..
Objective WR-16:
Conduct additional research on well yields and wellhead protection to determine if
more reliable information on well yields and wellhead protection areas can be
discerned with available technology.
Status/Action: Initiated
Staff has begin discussing what would be involved in such as assessment, and is in
the early stages of exploring technology and feasible actions.
Objective WRA 7:
Reduce the number of 303(d) impaired streams by minimizing impacts of non-point
and point source pollution.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective WR-18:
Continue hydrogeologic characterization of the ground water system (including
quantifying recharge areas), with emphasis on fractures in the crystalline rocks.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective WR-19:
Develop water efficiency standards for new development in order to decrease per
capita water use.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective WR-20:
Promote Best Management Practices for new developments which minimize
stormwater runoff. (See also Land Use Objective LU-2.3 and Erosion Control Objective EC-1.)
32
Status/Action: No Action 35
Obiective WR-21:
Develop land use policies that promote a `no net loss' principle for groundwater
recharge, for each recharge area.
Status/Action: No Action
33
36 parks and Recreation
Objective PR-1.1:
Acquire and /or retain public ownership of parks, recreation facilities, open space,
and conservation areas that will serve Orange County. (See also Natural Areas
Objective NA-9.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
This is being accomplished via the County's Lands Legacy Program, with all 1988
park sites now acquired except for Bingham. Planned nature preserves will also
include areas for public access, with acquisitions ongoing. A total of 2500 acres
have been conserved to date.
Objective PR-1.2:
Acquire and/or retain lands suitable for siting both indoor and outdoor active
recreation facilities to serve all Orange County residents.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Primary focus to date has been on acquiring lands for outdoor recreation needs,
although some sites may have the capability for indoor facilities as determined by
the BOCC.
Objective PR-1.3:
Develop a land use planning mechanism for securing new parks through the
development approval process. (See also Natural Areas Objective NA-10 and Land
Use Objective LU-4.3.)
Status/Action: Initiated
Parks and Recreation, ERCD and Planning Directors to meet to plan for updating
land dedication and payment-in-lieu process during FY 2010-11.
Obiective PR-1.4:
Consider alternative funding possibilities for future park facilities, such as non-profit
foundations.
Status/Action: Ongoing
The new Eurospon`Soccer Center exemplifies opportunities for private funding
assistance. Other opportunities to be evaluated.
Objective PR-2.1:
The County will serve as the lead coordinator of regional open space and recreation
facility providers in the County (including OWASA, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Duke
University), and coordinate regional efforts including future parkland and recreation
facility planning, acquisitions, and operations/maintenance of community, district,
and regional park and recreation facilities.
Status/Action: Initiated
This concept was suggested in a 1999 interjurisdictional parks report. The County
has taken the lead role in the Intergovemmental Parks Work Group, which has
developed recommendations, created a Composite Countywide Parks and Trails
Plan map, reviewed proposals and identified projects of mutual interest.
Objective PR-2.2:
Develop a methodology to be used by regional recreational providers in determining
the number of recreation and park facilities needed. The agreed upon methodology
should address countywide and community-specific service areas and how needs
34
are determined within those service areas, such as linking facility needs to 37
population growth.
Status/Action: Initiated
Funding to be requested in FY2011-12 for this purpose.
Obiective PR-2.3:
Develop a program for land dedication/recreation payment that is effective and
comprehensive.
Status/Action: Initiated
Please see PR 1.3 above. To be reviewed for possible FY 2010-11 update.
Obiective PR-2.4:
Establish a mechanism to promote shared use of existing public and institutional
buildings and grounds for public recreation, as well as for their primary uses. (See
also Education Objective E-2.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
IP Work Group has developed a set of guiding principles and recommendations for
the Community Use of School Facilities for Recreation. These principles and
recommendations have been approved by three jurisdictions and await action from
Chapel Hill and Orange County(November 2009).
Obiective PR-2.5:
Adopt criteria for evaluating potential land acquisitions for recreation and park
facilities in cooperation with other regional park providers.
Status/Action: Initiated
Refer to Intergovernmental Parks (IP) Work Group for recommendations?
Objective PR-2.6:
Develop a Memorandum of Agreement among the local governments on joint capital
and/or operational funding for future parks and recreational facilities. (See also
Education Objective E-2.)
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective PR-3.1:
Locate parks and recreational facilities close to residential areas and transportation
nodes, to increase public knowledge and accessibility to these facilities, including
alternative transportation modes.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Transportation, residential service areas and other geographic factors are part of the
criteria for parks and recreation facility location as shown in the 1988 Master Parks
and Recreation Plan (potentially to be updated in 2010-11).
Obiective PR-3.2:
Implement individual park master plans, such as the 2006 Fairview Park Master
Plan.
Status/Action: Completed, Ongoing
Several master plans are completed and implemented (Efland/Cheeks
Community/School Park, Little River Regional Park and Natural Area, Cedar Grove
Park, Eurosport (West Ten) Soccer Center). Fairview Master Plan is bring
implemented this fall and winter, with construction imminent. Two other master plans
have been completed, for Blackwood Farm Park and Hollow Rock Access Area
(New Hope Preserve).
35
r �
38 Objective PR-3.3:
Create a new Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan Map, to guide future
parks planning and help leverage outside funding.
Status/Action: Initiated
Please see PR-2.2. To be pursued in FY 2010-11.
Obiective PR-4.1:
Developers shall provide for adequate and appropriate open space suitable for
active/low-impact recreation in residential developments. (See also Natural Areas
Objective NA-10.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Please see PR-1.3. This issue is being reviewed for possible update in FY 2010-11.
Obiective PR-4.2:
Investigate the potential for public and/or private commercial partnerships and
recreational facilities needed to serve Orange County's residents.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Being pursued in conjunction with PR 1.4
Objective PR-4.3:
Work to keep recreational facilities and services affordable and sustainable to the
general public.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective PR-4.4:
Periodically survey the public, and conduct needs assessments, on recreation
services.
Status/Action: Initiated
Obiective PR-5.1:
Locate parks and recreational facilities close to residential areas to encourage
informal interaction with nature, encourage walkability, and create areas of wildlife
habitat with appropriate recreational facilities within the more populated areas. (See
also Natural Areas Objective NA-13.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
This is an existing priority of the Lands Legacy Program and adopted parks plans.
Objective PR-5.2:
Landscape parks and recreational facilities with native vegetation and minimize
water use where practical. Prohibit use of known invasive non-native species in
County facilities, and take steps to eradicate occurrences of same.
Status/Action: Ongoing
County Landscape Architect and Parks and Recreation staff pursue this regularly,
consistent with the adopted Environmental Responsibility Goal.
Objective PR-5.3:
Ensure public access to County-owned parks and nature preserves, but direct
facilities and trails away from the most ecologically sensitive sites.
Status/Action: Ongoing
This is a stated priority of the Lands Legacy Program, and a paramount
consideration in designing parks and nature preserves.
36
Obiective PR-5.4: 39
Encourage development of a system of private open space and conservation areas,
including nature preserves, parks, linear parks, and scenic vistas compatible with the
character of Orange County. (See also Natural Areas Objectives NA-11, NA-12, and
NA-16, and Transportation Objective T- 1.5.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
This is a stated priority of the Lands Legacy Program and was reiterated in the Joint
Master Parks and Recreation Work Group Report of 1999 and other parks planning
documents. Connectivity of open spaces is a current priority for Lands Legacy, its
conservation partners, and the intergovernmental Parks Work Group.
Objective PR-5.5:
Develop linear parks and rustic trails in the Rural Buffer, and explore opportunities
for preservation and connectivity along other identified stream corridors.
Status/Action: Initiated
The concept for a New Hope Rustic Woodland Trail has been identified in recent
parks plans, as well as in discussions about the Mountains to Sea Trail corridor. This
is primary topic for the January 2010 Intergovemmental Parks Work Group.
Objective PR-5.6:
Create a new Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan Map, to guide future parks
planning and help leverage outside funding. (This is the same as 3.3)
Status/Action: No Action
37
40 Services and Facilities
Water and Wastewater (WW)
Obiective WW-1:
Maintain a sustainable and high quality supply of ground and surface water so that
available resources meet existing and projected needs. (See also Water Resources
Objective WR-2.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective WW-2:
Coordinate the provision of potable water and sanitary sewer services with the
County's Land Use Plan and Orange County-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Joint Planning
Agreement and Land Use Plan, targeting these services to urban, transitional, and
economic development districts in a manner that does not endanger environmental
resources. (See also Land Use Objective LU-1.1, Housing Objective H-1.5, and
Economic Development Objective ED-2.10.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective WW-3:
Maintain and add new partners to the existing Water and Sewer Management
Planning and Boundary Agreement with the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and
Hillsborough and OWASA. Work to establish similar agreements with the Cities of
Mebane and Durham and Orange-Alamance Water System. (See also Land Use
Objective 3.6.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective WW-4:
Orange County welcomes opportunities to coordinate with Orange-Alamance Water
System to plan future service areas in the County.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective WW-5:
Maintain a cooperative joint planning process among the County, the municipalities,
and water and wastewater providers and guide the extension of service in
accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, the Orange County-Chapel Hill-Carrboro
Joint Planning Agreement and Land Use Plan, and the policies of the municipalities.
(See also Water Resources Objective WR-5.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective WW-6:
Develop and implement a process whereby the responsibilities and duties
associated with the operation and management of package sewage treatment plants
are specified as a requirement of the permitting process for such facilities.
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective WW-7:
Revisit and revise the Water Sewer Management Planning and Boundary
Agreement to ensure consistency with the Land Use map and land use categories.
(See also Land Use Objective LU-6.2.)
Status/Action: Initiated
38
Objective WW-8: 41
Reduce the number of requests from utility authorities and others for plan and
zoning amendments needed to accommodate public water and wastewater facilities.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective WW-9:
Ensure that public water and sewer services are provided in those areas that can be
practically and efficiently served by these facilities, as provided in the Orange
County-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Joint Planning Agreement and Land Use Plan, and as
delineated in the Water and Sewer Management Planning and Boundary
Agreement, as well as any inter-local government agreement that implements the
Agreement.
Status/Action: Initiated
Obiective WW-10:
Ensure that all development projects of a dense character have access to clean,
safe, and reliable water supplies.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective WWA 1:
Increase educational efforts that increase citizen understanding of water quality
problems and the need for water conservation. (See also Water Resources
Objective WR-2.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective WW-12:
Prohibit package sewage treatment plants in the Watershed Critical Areas.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective WWA 3:
Prohibit the establishment of public water and sewer services in the areas
designated as Watershed Critical Areas, except to address emergency public health
situations.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective WW-14:
Designate prime reservoir sites in the County, and protect those sites from adverse
development. (See also Natural Areas Objectives NA-5 and NA-17 and Land Use
Objective LU-2.2.)
Status/Action: Initiated
Obiective WWA 5:
Prohibit commercial and industrial land uses from locating and/or expanding within
identified Watershed Critical Areas. (See also Economic Development Objective ED-
2.7 and Land Use Objective LU-2.5.)
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective WW-16:
Ensure that the type of wastewater disposal facilities serving a development are
appropriate given present and future demand for service, the distribution of users,
and the capacity of the natural environment to absorb the impact.
Status/Action: Ongoing
39
42 Objective WW-17:
Ensure that buyers of property within the County are fully informed about the on-site
sewage disposal requirements of their property.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective WW-18:
Allow on-site wastewater disposal in rural areas where soil conditions are
acceptable. Where there are unacceptable soils, state-approved on-site sewage
disposal systems shall be required.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective WW-19:
Establish a continuing wastewater treatment inspection program within identified
Protected and Critical Water Resource Areas. (See also Water Resources Objective
WR-6.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Education (E)
Objective E-1:
Continue the coordination of planning activities among the School Boards, Planning
Boards, Planning Departments, and other jurisdictions to provide for the future space
needs and appropriate location of schools to meet the long-term educational needs
of Orange County residents.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective E-2:
Continue to work with parks and recreation providers in the County to identify
opportunities for co-location and shared funding of school and public recreational
"joint use"facilities. (See also Parks and Recreation Objective PR-2.4.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective E-3:
Achieve an equitable distribution of educational facilities.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective E-4:
Develop a standard that requires residential developers to provide an adequate
amount of acreage to meet future school facility needs.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective E-5:
Increase educational opportunities for older persons.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Library Services (L)
Obiective L-1:
Develop a comprehensive 3-5 year strategic plan that places priority on achieving a
vision of countywide equitable library services and resources for all citizens of
Orange County, and identifies specific measures for implementing Library Service
Standards adopted by the Board of County Commissioners.
Status/Action: Completed
40
Obiective L-2: 43
Adopt a long-range library facility plan that takes into consideration the needs of the
entire County and is based on 20-year population projections.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective L-3:
Establish an Orange County Heritage Center to make accessible the local history
materials now located in various facilities.
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective L-4:
Establish a branch library to serve the central west area of the County centered on
Cheeks Township that will accommodate the future population growth of this area
over the next 10-20 years.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective L-5:
Provide additional library services to people in the southwest area of the County
centered on Bingham Township.
Status/Action: Initiated
Obiective L-6:
Evaluate the rural community for the establishment of cybraries or small branch
libraries to provide access to library resources at these more distant sites.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Erosion Control (EC)
Obiective EC-1:
Continue to use. Best Management Practices (BMP's) for stormwater control, as
outlined within the Orange County Zoning Ordinance, Stormwater Ordinance, and
Sedimentation Control Ordinance, to minimize potential adverse impacts on the
water quality. (See also Land Use Objective LU-2.3, Natural Areas Objective NA-4
and Water Resources Objective WR-20.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective EC-2:
Protect and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological quality and integrity of
water supply reservoirs.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective EC-3:
Prohibit activities that adversely affect surface and ground water systems that may
serve or do serve as a public water supply.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective EC-4:
Use low-impact stormwater design principles when developing new or retrofitting
existing drainage systems that do not functionally approximate the natural drainage
pattern.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective EC-5:
Minimize sedimentation and erosion to reduce the transport of sediment and
pollutants to surface waters.
41
44 Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective EC-6:
Protect and maintain the existing aquatic, riparian and terrestrial habitats-of fish and
wildlife.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective EC-7:
Prevent flood damage to public and private property.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective EC-8:
Protect the absorptive, purifying and retentive functions of the natural systems
existing in the County.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective EC-9:
Provide educational materials and programs to school groups, civic groups,
developers and interested citizens about water quality protection.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective EC-10:
Develop programs and incentives that encourage the implementation of Best
Management Practices, Low Impact Design, and on-site capture of stormwater in
development projects.
Status/Action: Completed, Ongoing
Solid Waste (SW)
Objective SWA:
Continue to affirm, support, and work towards achieving a 61% waste reduction goal
adopted by the County in 1997.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective SW-2:
Encourage the recycling of solid waste, including but not limited to the preference for
deconstruction practices over demolition, to minimize waste disposed of in landfills.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective SW-3:
Evaluate the solid waste collection system presently used by the County in terms of
efficiency and long-term sustainability. Recommend alternative systems or means
to improve the existing system based on this evaluation.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective SW-4:
Use land use planning, zoning regulations, and the process of development
approvals to enable the appropriate environmental controls and oversight of
necessary solid waste facilities. (See also Land Use Objective LU-4.2.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective SW-5:
Require new construction and substantial remodeling of non-single family property to
set-aside adequate space and access for solid waste management and recycling
materials storage on site.
42
T
Status/Action: No Action 45
Objective SW-6:
Work with municipalities in Orange County to review development proposals to
ensure that adequate space for solid waste management facilities is included within
site plans.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Public Safety (PS)
Objective PS-T-1:
Ensure the provision of adequate public safety protection standards for residential,
commercial, and industrial development.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective PS-T-2:
Ensure that all state roads in the County receive non-duplicated names to be posted
on signs at intersections and that all houses are numbered in order to improve the
response times of law enforcement and emergency vehicles. (See also
Transportation Objective T-2.3.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective PS-T-3:
Establish and maintain an appropriate level of service for law enforcement and
emergency services and ensure the provision of adequate public safety protection
standards for residential, commercial, and industrial development throughout the
County.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective PS-T-4:
Maintain high levels of cooperation and sharing of equipment among all departments
and agencies involved in law enforcement, public safety, crime prevention, fire
protection, and emergency services to assure a high level of service in a cost
effective manner.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective PS-T-5:
Include in applied site design standards for residential, commercial, and industrial
development, appropriate road design standards to ensure adequate law
enforcement and emergency vehicle access to the development. (See also
Transportation Objective T-2.3.)
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective PS-T-6:
Develop a mechanism for cooperation with telecommunication facilities stakeholders
regarding the siting and design of towers.
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective PS-T-7:
Manage the number of future wireless telecommunication facilities by identifying
preferred locations capable of accommodating service Countywide.
Status/Action: Initiated
43
46 Objective PS-T-8:
Encourage the expansion of affordable, high-speed Internet access, fiber-optic lines,
and other high-speed communication networks to rural and underserved areas.
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective PS-9
Maintain a radio communication system that ensures reliable notification and
oversight of emergency assets, such as personnel, vehicles, and response
equipment, throughout Orange County and inter-operability of communication
among jurisdictions.
Status/Action: Initiated, Ongoing
44
f
Transportation 47
Objective T-1.1:
Increase the occupancy of automobiles through ridesharing and other means; and
expand the use of public transit (including bus and rail), walking, and biking as
primary modes of travel. (See also Economic Development Objective ED-2.3.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective T-1.2:
Facilitate the overall development and use of a transportation system that is more
energy-efficient, reduces carbon emissions, and reduces the use of fossil fuels while
promoting the use of local renewable and sustainable fuels.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective T-1.3:
Develop new transportation facilities in a manner that has a positive impact or avoids
negative impacts on the natural environment, including air quality, water resources,
biological resources, and wildlife habitat.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective T-1.4:
Develop new transportation facilities in a manner that has a positive impact or avoids
negative impacts on the community, including historical or cultural assets, existing
neighborhoods, schools and recreational facilities, and the overall rural character in
Orange County.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective T-1.5:
Identify prime view sheds along major transportation corridors and protect these
areas for their scenic and natural resource values. (See also Parks and Recreation
Objective PR-5.4.)
Status/Action: No Action
Objective TAX:
Expand the availability and use of public transportation (including bus and rail)
throughout the County to provide better connections between employment centers,
shopping and service locations, and other key points of interest in both urban and
rural areas, particularly for the County's senior and disabled populations and others
without access to automobiles.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective T-2.1:
Increase the provision of bikeways and walkways, and also increase supportive
facilities such as bicycle parking zones.
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective T-2.2:
Evaluate and serve special transportation needs of the senior population, youth, the
economically disadvantaged and the disabled, including both everyday needs and
disaster transit provision.
Status/Action: Ongoing
45
48 Obiective T-2.3:
Increase countywide access for emergency vehicles, including ways to improve
response times, both for existing and new developments. (See also Services and
Community Facilities Objectives PST-2 and PST-5.)
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective T-2.4:
Improve the provision of public transit facilities and services, and also increase
supportive facilities for transit, such as park and ride lots.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Obiective T-2.5:
Improve public education and advertising of existing transit services.
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective T-2.6:
Increase safety awareness between car drivers and bicycle riders, and increase
safety for pedestrians.
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective T-2.7:
Construct bicycle facilities in Orange County that will make cycling safer, more
convenient, and more efficient.
Status/Action: No Action
Obiective T-3.1:
Improve the County's transportation system by first enhancing existing facilities as
opposed to developing new facilities.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective T-3.2:
Create and implement an Orange County Comprehensive Transportation Plan that
provides the framework for a comprehensive and connected transportation system
supporting a mix of all transportation modes, including sidewalks and bicycle
facilities, bus and rail transit facilities, and highways. The plan should be
coordinated with the goals and objectives of this Comprehensive Plan and seek to
maintain and enhance community character and the natural environment.
Status/Action: Initiated
Objective T-3.3:
Determine the policies to guide connectivity within and between residential
developments based on their impact on neighborhood character.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective T-3.4:
Direct development to higher density mixed-use districts along transit corridors and
make necessary multi-modal transportation improvements to service lands that are
slated for future intense development, such as Economic Development Districts.
Status/Action: No Action
46
Objective T-3.5: 49
Use innovative techniques to increase mobility and reduce rush hour congestion.
Status/Action: No Action
Objective T-4.1:
Work with nearby jurisdictions to integrate the County's transportation plans with
those of other transportation planning agencies and service providers in Orange
County and the Triangle region. The resulting intermodal transportation system
should reflect regional goals and objectives to meet projected travel demand and to
reduce congestion and reliance on single occupancy vehicles.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective T-4.2:
Plan and integrate the County's multi-modal transportation routes and services with
regional transportation agencies and transit service providers, agencies and transit
providers in neighboring counties, the North Carolina Department of Transportation,
Amtrak, and the North Carolina Railroad.
Status/Action: Ongoing
Objective T-4.3:
Revive rail transportation in Orange County and the Triangle region.
Status/Action: Initiated
47
r
50
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49
3. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR ITEMS TO REPORT
(Any questions, concerns, or upcoming work to convey to BOCC)
Economic Development
None.
Housing
None.
Land Use
None.
Natural and Cultural Systems
None.
Parks and Recreation
None.
Services and Facilities
None.
Transportation
Funding for transportation projects is becoming more and more geared toward local
project management (grants). Orange County should decide how much the County is
willing to participate in funding transportation projects to implement the Comprehensive
Transportation Plan that is being developed, and how to manage these transportation
grants in the future. More staff will be needed as the County applies for and is awarded
more grants funded with federal transportation money.
4. Conclusion
Staff has mentioned in numerous abstracts and several presentations that the County's
Comprehensive Plan is far reaching and its implementation will be ongoing, which are
true statements. However, in staffs attempt to establish realistic expectations, a
valuable point may have been missed — implementation has already begun. This
Report, although subjective to some degree, clearly demonstrates that the County is
taking steps towards Plan implementation. Although much work remains to be initiated
and completed, this and subsequent Reports will track progress towards reaching the
various Comprehensive Plan goals and objectives.
Some yet to be identified implementation actions will require review and amendment to
regulations contained within the County's land use ordinances, a majority of which are
presently contained with the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations. Plan
implementation of this nature will take place after the Planning Department has
completed its existing, BOCC sanctioned work plan, which includes reformatting
existing ordinances into a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), implementation of
49
50
select items recommended in Small Area Plans, and completion of a Comprehensive
Transportation Plan, among other Planning duties.
Planning Staff solicits feedback from the BOCC, Manager's Office, and reporting
departments to improve the meaning and usefulness of future reports. To serve as a
starting point, the following ideas are offered:
• Advisory boards were not consulted during this reporting process, which could add
value if done in the future.
• Include all departments associated with the Services and Facilities Element (Solid
Waste, Emergency Services, Libraries, and School System) in the reporting process.
• Evaluation criteria, such as performance standards or metrics would provide better
measurement of County progress towards Plan goals and objectives than current
reporting methods.
• Comprehensive Plan status reports could be coordinated with the Manager's Office,
as a subcomponent of its comprehensive County reporting efforts.
• Comprehensive Plan status reports could provide an opportunity for Planning and
Inspections to convey data on building activity to the BOCC (i.e. Major, Minor,
Except Subdivision lots created, Certificates of Occupancy issued, building permits,
etc.).
• Reporting departments could be asked to provide additional description of work
towards objectives beyond basic coding: "I", "C", or "O" (Initiated Action, Completed
Action, On-going Action).
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