HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD-2007-204 - Comprehensive Plan Update Phase I:1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 19, 2007
Agenda J ,�
Item No. �j f
SUBJECT: Comprehensive Plan Update Phase I
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) NO
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1) Draft Minutes, Aug. 27th Public Hearing
2) Handouts Received from Public, Aug. 27th Tom Altied, Comprehensive Planning
Public Hearing Supervisor, 245 -2579
3) Revised Draft Goals (changes "tracked ") - Karen Markovics, Planner 11, 245 -2583
4) Revised Draft County Profile (Data) Element
(changes "tracked ") (Under Separate Cover)
PURPOSE: To recognize that the revised County Profile Element and draft goals, as
recommended by the Planning Board, are acceptable and should be used during Phase II to
guide the completion of the remaining Elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
BACKGROUND: On October 3, 2006, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a
process for updating the County's Comprehensive Plan in two phases as follows:
Phase I, to include the development of Comprehensive Plan goals and County Profile Element,
the first of eight Elements to be completed as part of the Update; and Phase 11, to include the
remaining Elements that will comprise the updated Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive
Plan will include the following eight Elements: 1) County Profile; 2) Economic Development; 3)
Housing; 4) Land Use; 5) Natural and Cultural Systems; 6) Recreation and Parks; 7) Services
(Utilities) and Community Facilities; and 8) Transportation.
a. Draft Goals
During May and June 2007, the following County advisory boards and supporting staff
worked to develop the draft goals for the Comprehensive Plan: Affordable Housing Advisory
Board, Agricultural Preservation Board, Commission for the Environment, Economic
Development Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Orange Unified
Transportation Board, Planning Board, and Recreation and Parks Advisory Council.
Goals express an ideal future end related to the public health, safety, and /or general welfare
and set a general direction. The draft goals have been developed in support of the Board
of County Commissioners Comprehensive Plan Guiding Principles adopted October 21,
2004 and amended on April 24, 2007. The draft goals will guide the completion of the
second phase of the Comprehensive Plan Update process and following adoption, future
legal and policy decisions.
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b. Draft County Profile (Data) Element
During February - June 2007, County advisory boards (listed previously under part "a. Draft
Goals ") and supporting staff coordinated to develop the draft County Profile Element.
Although the Planning Board and Planning Staff did play a lead role in the development of
the initial draft, several revisions were made following review and input from other County
departments and advisory boards.
The County Profile (Data) Element is to serve as the primary reference point for basic
information contained in the Comprehensive Plan. As such, it is intended to provide a
convenient location for population statistics as well as key social, environmental, and
economic conditions that exist within the County. The information included in the County
Profile Element will be used to develop the remaining seven Elements of the
Comprehensive Plan and will also serve as a resource for future planning.
On August 27, 2007, a Public Hearing was held to hear public comments on draft goals and
County Profile Element, which comprise Phase I of the 2006 -2008 Comprehensive Plan Update
Process (Attachment 1, "Draft Minutes "; Attachment 2, "Handouts from Public"). Following
comments from the public, the BOCC referred these items to the Planning Board for a
recommendation to be returned to the BOCC no sooner than September 19, 2007.
September 5, 2007 Planning Board Meeting:
At its September 5 meeting, the Planning Board discussed and considered all public
comments conveyed at the August 27th Hearing and recommended revisions to the
Comprehensive Plan draft goals and County Profile Element in response.
Following is a summary of the revisions to the draft goals and County Profile Element that have
been recommended by the Planning Board. Specific revisions can be found in Attachments 3
and 4, "Revised Draft Goals" and "Revised Draft County Profile Element ". Revisions provided in
these Attachments are "tracked" (new text indicated by underline; deleted text by etFil h)
or otherwise denoted.
Draft Goals
1. Removed references to Element Lead Advisory Boards;
2. Removed verbs from several of the goal statements;
3. Added overarching goals for Housing and Recreation and Parks Elements;
4. Deleted catch phrases (e.g., "Business Climate" or "Sustainable Growth ") that
preceded several of the goal statements;
5. Revised Housing Element Goal 2 to eliminate the term, "Universal Design
Concepts ";
6. Revised Economic Development Element Goal 1 to add some additional
clarification of the term "partnerships ";
7. Per Historic Preservation Commission request, added an additional goal to the
Natural and Cultural Systems Element goals.
Draft County Profile Element
1. Renamed title of paragraph on p. B1.1 to more accurately describe the contents of
this section;
2. Added mention to and description of the Rural Buffer on p. B1.2;
3. Added text on pp. B2.1 and B2.4 to further explain the use of 2005 population
estimates developed by the NC Office of Budget, Planning and Management;
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4. Added word "Ethnicity" to the title of Table 132b) on p. B2.3;
5. In Table 132c) on p. B2.4, changed "% Increase" column from years 1980 -2005 to
1980- 2000.;
6. Deleted 2005 data from Chart 132d) on p. B2.4.;
7. Added arrows to Maps D4/D5 to identify Orange County; and
8. When available, socioeconomic data and projections of the Durham - Chapel Hill -
Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization will be included in the County Profile
or Transportation Elements of the Comprehensive Plan (The Orange Unified
Transportation Board can provide Clarion Associates with their instructions on
where to put the data after they review it and consider the detailed Table of
Contents for the Transportation Element).
Planning Board Recommendation on Draft Goals and County Profile Element:
The Planning Board unanimously recommends Board of County Commissioner recognition that
the County Profile Element and draft goals, with revisions as provided in Attachments 3 and 4,
are generally acceptable and should be used during Phase II to guide the completion of the
remaining Elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
Additional Planning Board Actions:
Motion: Move that we (Planning Board) communicate to the Commissioners that we looked at
all the comments from the public meetings and public hearings and many of the issues raised
relate to the objectives and that they will be considered as the objectives are considered. The
reason we have not incorporated some of the suggestions is that they don't relate to the goals
but rather to the objectives. We have acknowledged the suggestions and they will be looked at
in the next phase.
Vote: Unanimous.
Motion: Move that we (Planning Board) adopt the following Resolution and submit it to the
Board of Commissioners along with our recommendations regarding Comprehensive Plan goals
and County Profile Element:
Whereas preservation of a sense of community has been a strongly held value discussed as
part of past county planning efforts (such as the report on Sustaining Orange County's Future),
and
Whereas during the recent public hearing on Phase I of the Comprehensive Plan, there was a
suggestion that the County develop and incorporate an additional element or overarching goal
relating to preserving and strengthening community, and
Whereas the Planning Board has begun conversations concerning the feasibility and desirability
of developing such an additional element or goal, but has not yet had the opportunity to
complete its deliberations on this matter, and
Whereas the Planning Board does not wish to delay moving forward with Phase II of the
Comprehensive Planning process but at the same time wishes to devote careful attention to this
subject and hopes to deliberate and develop an initial report to the Commissioners with its
recommendations on this matter within the next six months so that the opportunity is not lost to
address approaches to sustaining community as part of the Comprehensive Plan,
Now therefore be it resolved that the Planning Board wishes to advise the Board of County
Commissioners that the Planning Board commits itself to undertake and complete preliminary
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deliberations on the advisability of recommending an additional goal or element relating to
community within the next six months and to report on its recommendations on this matter by
early March 2008.
Vote: Unanimous.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Administration recommends that the Board recognize the revised
County Profile Element and draft goals, as recommended by the Planning Board, are
acceptable and should be used during Phase II to guide the completion of the remaining
Elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
The Board may also wish to provide direction to staff and the Planning Board on the Planning
Board's resolution relating to preserving and strengthening community.
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Attachment 1
1 DRAFT
2 MINUTES EXCERPT, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE PHASE 1
3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
4 ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
5 QUARTERLY PUBLIC HEARING
6 August 27, 2007
7 7:30 p.m.
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9 The Orange County Board of Commissioners and the Orange County Planning Board met for a
10 Quarterly Public Hearing on Monday, August 27, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the F. Gordon Battle
11 Courtroom in Hillsborough, N.C.
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13 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr. and Commissioners
14 Valerie Foushee, Alice M. Gordon, and Barry Jacobs
15 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Mike Nelson
16 COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Brian Ferrell
17 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Laura Blackmon, and Deputy Clerk to the
18 Board David Hunt (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below)
19 PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Jay Bryan and Members Craufurd
20 Goodwin, Sam Lasris, Renee Price, Judith Wegner, Joel Knight, Michelle Kempinski, and
21 Bernadette Pelissier
22 PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Sandra Johnson - Quinn, Jeffrey Schmitt,
23 Brian Crawford
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26 NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT
27 AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE
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31 A. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
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33 2. Comprehensive Plan Update Phase 1: On October 3, 2006, the Board of County
34 Commissioners approved a process for updating the County's Comprehensive Plan in two
35 phases. Phase 1 includes development of Comprehensive Plan goals and the County
36 Profile Element.
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38 a. Draft Goals: The following advisory boards have developed draft goals for the
39 Comprehensive Plan: Affordable Housing Advisory Board, Agricultural Preservation Board,
40 Commission for the Environment, Economic Development Commission, Historic
41 Preservation Commission, Orange Unified Transportation Board, Planning Board and
42 Recreation and Parks Advisory Council. Draft goals will guide completion of Phase 2 of
43 Comprehensive Plan.
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45 b. Draft County Profile (Data) Element: The County Profile (Data) Element is the primary
46 reference point for basic information contained in the Comprehensive Plan. It will be the first
47 of eight Plan elements to be completed and will be used to develop remaining elements as
48 well as serving as a resource for future planning.
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I Tom Altied said that for this item there are two handouts in the packet — part A, Draft Goals,
2 and part B, Draft County Profile Element. These two parts are to be addressed as one item. He
3 made a PowerPoint presentation.
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5 August 27, 2007
6 Quarterly Public Hearing
7 Agenda Item C.2
8 Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor
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10 Comprehensive Plan Update, Phase I
11 a. Draft goals
12 b. Draft County Profile (Data) Element
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14 Presentation Includes:
15 • Comprehensive Plan Purpose and Scope
16 • Roles — Who's Involved?
17 • Update Process and Timetable
18 • What's a Goal/Objective?
19 • Opportunities for Citizen Knowledge, Access, and Input
20 • How was Draft Goals /County Profile Element Developed?
21 • County Profile Element — Purpose and Content
22 • Next Steps
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24 Comprehensive Plan Purpose
25 • Framework for long -range decision making.
26 • A guide for growth and development
27 • Sets goals and objectives to guide policy decisions
28 • Serves as statutory basis for land use regulations
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30 Comprehensive Plan Scope
31 • Planning period, 20+ years
32 • Planning for Orange County's planning jurisdiction
33 • Covers 8 major areas, known as Elements
34 • Each Element will detail existing conditions, project future needs and set objectives to
35 reach goals
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37 Comprehensive Plan Elements
38 County Profile (Data)
39 Economic Development
40 Housing
41 Land Use
42 Natural and Cultural Systems
43 Recreation and Parks
44 Services (Utilities) and Community Facilities
45 Transportation
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47 Roles in General
48 BOCC — Set stage; provide directions to advisory boards and staff; hear and consider public
49 comments; adopt plan
50 Advisory Boards — Direction to staff and consultants; provide input and feedback
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Consultants — Meeting facilitation; partner with staff and advisory boards to complete draft Plan
County Staff — Partner with consultants; support boards
Public — Attend meetings and hearings; provide input and feedback
Element Lead Advisory Board
Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Agricultural Preservation Board
Commission for the Environment
Economic Development Commission
Historic Preservation Commission
Orange Unified Transportation Board
Planning Board
Recreation and Parks Advisory Council
Update Process and Timetable
Phase I (Oct. '06 — Sept. 07):
Goals
County Profile (Data) Element
Public Hearing (August 27"')
Phase I I (Oct. '07 —Aug. '08):
Development of Comprehensive Plan
Text for remaining 7 elements
Objectives
Public Hearing (May '08)
Goal and Objective Defined
Goal (Phase 1) — A general direction setter, expressed as an ideal future end related to the public
health, safety, or welfare. May not be quantifiable or time - dependent.
Objective (Phase II) — A specific end, condition, or state that is an intermediate step toward
reaching a goal. It should be achievable and, when possible, measurable and time - specific.
Opportunities for Citizen Knowledge, Access, and Input
Meetings:
Meetings of 8 Element Lead Advisory Boards
Countywide Public Information Meetings
Open Houses
Public Hearings
Accessing Information:
Meetings, staff, advisory board members, Internet, mailing lists, County libraries, and press
releases
Availability of Public Hearing Documents — Draft Goals and County Profile Element
Website:
www.co.orange.nc.us /planning /compre cpupdate.asp
• Handouts were available at July 31 stand August 70' public input meetings
• Copies have been available for public review at County's libraries and Planning
Department
• Limited copies available tonight
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I Draft Goals
2 • 37 draft goals addressing 8 elements (objectives to be developed for each Goal in Phase
3 II)
4 • Advisory boards prepared draft goals using the following documents for reference:
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o 1981 Land Use Element (Plan) goals
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o 1999 BOCC goals
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o Report on Sustainability Indicators for Orange County (2000)
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o Shaping Orange County's Future (Aug. 2003 newspaper insert)
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o BOCC Guiding Principles for the Comprehensive Plan (2004, amended 2007)
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BOCC Guiding Principles
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Efficient and Fiscally Responsible Provision of Public Facilities and Services
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Sustainable Growth and Development
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Encouraging energy efficiency, lower energy consumption, and the use of non - polluting
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renewable energy resources while promoting both air quality protection and the
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development of an effective transportation system
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Natural Area Resource Preservation
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Preservation of rural land use patterns
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Water Resource Preservation
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Promotion of Economic Prosperity and Diversity
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Preservation of Community Character
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Draft County Profile Element Purpose
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• Source of information for population statistics and key conditions in the County
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. Common data source to help guide development of remaining Elements
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• Not designed to be an exhaustive resource for all information
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• Updated regularly following Plan completion
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Draft County Profile Development
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Planning Staff prepared draft Table of Contents (ToC)
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ToC reviewed by Planning Board (PB) and Element Managers (EMs) and revised
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1s` draft County Profile prepared from ToC, reviewed by Planning Board and EMs and
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revised
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2nd draft County Profile reviewed by Element Lead Advisory Boards and EMs and revised
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3`d draft County Profile presented at public input meetings and Public Hearing
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Draft County Profile Element Contents
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. Charts, tables and graphs of Historic and Current Data for
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. Geographic Context
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. Population
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. Housing
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. Employment/Economy
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. Environment
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. Transportation
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. Population Projections
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. Reference and Informational Maps
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. Appendix for
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Definitions
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Methodologies
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Additional resources
Next Steps — County Administration Recommending:
Referral of draft goals and Profile Element to Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned
to BOCC no sooner than Sept. 19th.
Planning Board will consider comments collected tonight; at July 31 st and August 7"' public input
meetings; and June 21" Joint Advisory Boards meeting.
Important Note:
BOCC will not be asked to formally adopt draft goals and County Profile Element during Phase I.
Rather, the BOCC will be asked to consider formal adoption of these items during Phase II after
the May 2008 Public Hearing.
Jay Bryan thanked the staff and Planning Board members for this effort.
Commissioner Jacobs thanked staff for the work on the Efland Cheeks Small Area Plan.
Commissioner Jacobs made reference to B1.1 and Orange County Size, and said that this
is really talking about Orange County Population. In the second paragraph, it lists the planning
jurisdictions. He said that this would be an appropriate place to mention the rural buffer, which is
a distinctive land use arrangement. Also, on pages D4 and D5 with the maps of North Carolina,
he suggested putting an arrow on Orange County.
Tom Alfieri recognized Karen Markovics, Planner 11, who was instrumental in the
preparation of the County Profile Element.
Michelle Kempinski asked about the adoption sequence. Tom Alfieri said that the staff
would not be asking the Board of County Commissioners to formally adopt the profile element and
draft goals during phase I, but only to recognize them as generally acceptable to guide the
completion of the remainder of the plan. He said that if the Board of County Commissioners
formally adopted these two documents during phase I, it would further fragment the
comprehensive plan. Also, during the preparation of the plan, there could be some minor
adjustments to the goals if determined necessary by the advisory boards or County
Commissioners.
Craufurd Goodwin said that some of the goals should be reworded because there are a lot
of incomplete sentences.
Tom Alfieri said that these goals have been taken to public hearings as they were
submitted by each of the respective advisory boards. The advisory boards felt like it was
important to hear public comment on the goals as the individual advisory boards prepared them.
The Dispute Settlement Center and Clarion are recommending that action verbs not be included
in the goals, and that the goals should be expressed as a desired end.
Commissioner Gordon asked that the public signed up to speak tell where they live.
Marty Mandell said that it is her opinion that sustainability should be the big, main goal.
She said that this word is confusing because it means different things to different people. She
said that sustainability is at the heart of survival and reflects how humans treat the earth and the
values they place on preserving the earth's natural resources. She said that several years ago,
Orange County made a sustainability commitment by creating a °green" infrastructure through the
Lands Legacy Program. This was the first major step towards sustainability by a county in North
Carolina, and it has received national recognition. She said that the next step should be to
continue funding the Lands Legacy, but also to define just what sustainability means. She said
that the Comprehensive Plan should describe the processes by which the basic needs of the
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1 citizens are provided and protected without depleting the quality of life. Some important issues
2 are water supply, air quality, and supply of locally grown agricultural products. She said that this
3 might be the last really good chance to join the international concept of working together for a
4 sustainable world.
5 Robin Taylor -Hall is a citizen of Hillsborough. She represents the Simpson Efland heirs.
6 She said that the heirs want to make sure that an issue is addressed on one of the properties
7 (79.23 acres), north of 1 -85 and 1-40. There is a huge watershed area at the bottom of this tract of
8 land, and this was put there when the Seven Mile Creek Reservoir was planned. Since this is not
9 being planned anymore, the request is that this be removed or addressed in the comprehensive
10 plan. She made reference to the letter written to her by the heirs and submitted to the County
11 Commissioners and the Planning Board.
12 Renee Price is from Hillsborough and is on the Historic Preservation Commission. She
13 said that the Commission had two goals, and one got into an over - arching goal, and she is
14 concerned about this. She proposes going back to two goals. She said that there is majority
15 support of this from the HPC, although there was no vote on it. The goals are: preservation of the
16 architectural and archaeological resources of Orange County and their associated and
17 landscapes; and awareness and appreciation of a diverse historical and cultural heritage of
18 Orange County.
19 Allen Rosen lives in Chapel Hill Township. He is a member of The Village Project as well
20 as a member of the recently formed coalition that is paying a lot of attention to the Comprehensive
21 Planning process. He thanked the County Commissioners for the forethought in moving towards
22 the comprehensive process and planning for all eight elements simultaneously. He thanked the
23 Planning Board and advisory boards for this substantial undertaking. He said that the website has
24 been an invaluable aid. He thinks that the recommendation, to not adopt the draft goals at this
25 stage, is very admirable. He thinks that there is a lot of room for improvement, refinement, and
26 possibly some addition to the draft goals. He said that the Coalition includes members from the
27 Inter -Faith Council and EmPOWERment, Inc. Tonight, there are also people from Community
28 Action Network, Chapel Hill /Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, The Village Project, Homebuilders
29 Association of Durham/Orange /Chatham Counties, and Walkable Hillsborough. He thinks that
30 value can been added to the process by encouraging individuals and groups to be involved. He
31 distributed a copy of the Coalition statement. He said that the Coalition believes that the
32 Comprehensive Plan Update should determine where new compact, walkable, mixed use, transit
33 supported growth and development should occur within the planning jurisdiction.
34 Ben Lloyd lives in Efland. He spoke about the issues of economic development in the
35 Comprehensive Plan. He said that in December of 1982 he served on the Board of County
36 Commissioners. When Ken Thompson arrived in town (where ?) in 19.81, there was not enough
37 money to pay the bills from July to December, when the tax money came in. He said that Ken
38 Thompson created an 11 -point plan, which was nothing more than robbing Peter to pay Paul. He
39 said that in 1983 when he served on the Board of County Commissioners, the County was still
40 short of money to provide needs. At this time, he contacted the North Carolina Department of
41 Commerce, and three people visited with him. He took the representatives around the County,
42 and he was told that with US 70/1 -85 /Southern Railway corridor through Orange County, that this
43 was the most potential area in the State for good, clean, low -water using, non - polluting, high -
44 paying economic growth that would provide both jobs and money for Orange County. He was
45 also told that due to the lack of interest in cooperation from Orange County in the 15 years prior to
46 that, when economic development interests came to Raleigh, that Orange County was marked off
47 the list. He said that less than 90 days ago, he spoke with an individual involved in economic
48 development in the State, who has been working in this position for about a year. When this
49 individual took this job, he was told by his superiors not to waste his time in Orange County
50 because they do not want anything there. He said that after four years since the Economic
51 Development Commission was created, there has not been one brick laid within this economic
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development corridor. He owns property within this corridor. He said that two and a half years
ago, the County Commissioners, along with the Economic Development Department, committed
that by June 2010, 5,000 new commercial jobs and $45 million of new commercial tax base would
be created. Nothing has happened yet. He said that it was reported in the State of the County
meeting in the spring that there had been 915 new commercial jobs created and $45 million in
new commercial tax base. He found out later that this was not true, but that it was referring to
Meadowmont. He said that the developer of Meadowmont told him that Orange County had
nothing to do with this growth. He said that 1 -85 runs through Durham, Orange, and Alamance
Counties, and in the past 20 months, Durham County has created in excess of 2,500 new
commercial jobs and has added $545 million of new commercial tax base. Alamance County has
created some $200 -300 million in new commercial tax base and hundreds of jobs. Orange
County property tax has increased 524% in the last 20 years. The property tax has increased
every year for 19 straight years. He said that Orange County has an image that has to be
overcome. He asked the County Commissioners what they intended to do about it.
Sam Lasris lives in Cedar Grove. He spoke on behalf of the Orange Unified
Transportation Board. He said that it has come to the attention of the OUTB that the
Durham/Chapel Hill / Carrboro MPO is going to release socioeconomic data and projections that
will be used for regional transportation planning for the years 2005 -2035. It is anticipated that this
data will be released after the meeting on September 12"'. He formally requested that this data be
included in the profile element.
James Carnahan lives on 122 Oak Street, Carrboro. He is a board member of The Village
Project, but he said that the comments he was going to make were his own. He distributed a
handout. The column on the right includes his suggested wording of the draft goals. He said that
he is particularly interested in the concept of sustainability. He agreed with Marty Mandell that
clarity of the sustainability goal is very important. He said that it is important to talk about the
outcomes of growth and development rather than use a phrase like "sustainable growth" or
"sustainable development". He thinks that the goal is that the outcome of all activities is
ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable. He thinks that the language should reflect
this and avoid the ambiguity of "sustainable growth" or "sustainable development°. He said that a
couple of the elements did not have over - arching goals, and he thought that it was important for
consistency that they did, so he created them. He asked the County Commissioners to consider
the amended language of the goals, which is in bold italics.
Laura Blackmon made reference to the Economic Development overarching goal and said
that the staff is looking at the definition of economic development. She would like for the
Economic Development Commission to look at this again and perhaps broaden the definition.
Patrick McDonough lives at 105 Fidelity Street, Carrboro. He said that he thinks that the
fundamental question before the Board is where growth goes. He thinks that the County has
been great at deciding where growth will not go, but not so great at deciding where it will go. He
said that a lot of his friends are planning to move to Durham so that they can buy a house. He
said that there are not enough homes that are affordable in Orange County. He said that it will be
great to have all of the elements done at once for the Comprehensive Plan.
Dolly Hunter lives in Bingham Township. She made reference to the stated goal of the
County Profile Data Element, which states that it is to be "updated, useful, and relevant." She
suggested adding the word "accurate ". For example, the most recent water resource research is
from 1981, and water resources govern the amount of growth that can occur. She also requested
that there be accurate historic subdivision and lot size data and something to show that the
number of minor and major subdivisions have gone down, and that primarily 10 -acre lots have
been created because it is so difficult to get subdivision approval. She said that the minimum lot
size being created is closer to three acres and not the one or two -acre lot size minimum allowed.
She said that the fact that minor and major subdivision approval is so difficult should be
researched. The Land Use Element Goal #6 is to have the land use planning process be
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1 transparent, fair, open, efficient, and responsive. She said that it is the exact opposite of this. The
2 data needs to show more accurately the rural population because there are too many graphs
3 showing municipal growth. She wants to make sure that the data is accurate and relevant.
4 Jay Bryan lives on Old NC 86 in Chapel Hill. He spoke to the County Commissioners
5 about the idea of establishing another element in the Comprehensive Plan to address Planning
6 Principle #8, Preservation of Community Character, which was adopted by the Board in 2004.
7 Such an element could read as follows: Maintenance of community and preservation of
8 community character. A possible goal for the element could read as follows: Establishment of
9 community building principles regarding community issues and decision making to help citizens of
10 Orange County work and live together in harmony. He said that when he was on the Carrboro
11 Board of Aldermen, there were some policies and strategies promoted such as Carrboro
12 Community Day, which has spun off into a music festival, film festival, Latino festival; rules for
13 communication among members of the Board of Aldermen in public meetings; rules for effective
14 communication at public hearings; an annual roundtable meeting for representatives from various
15 subdivisions and neighborhoods in the Town; a mediation program to help address differences
16 between citizens and differences between citizens and Town government; a program for inviting
17 school children to observe and learn about local government to promote leadership opportunities;
18 the use of mediation to resolve planning issues around development; and the use of facilitated
19 meetings for gaining public input and trust. He said that as a result of the standing committee that
20 he and Commissioner Gordon served on, the original 15 -step proposal for the Shaping Orange
21 County's Future Task Force references community building as one of the two tasks that were to
22 be addressed by the task force. He said that a natural extension of this work would be to support
23 at least in principle the idea of adding this additional element to the Comprehensive Plan. He
24 asked the County Commissioners to consider forwarding the idea of such an element to the
25 Planning Board for further discussion and consideration.
26 A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to
27 refer to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned to the BOCC no sooner than
28 September 19, 2007. The Planning Board will provide specific recommendations for any
29 additional changes to the draft goals and the County Profile Element that may be required in
30 response to comments heard from the BOCC and /or public during the Hearing. The Planning
31 Board will also consider comments collected at the June 21 St Advisory Boards Meeting, July 31St
32 Open House, and August 7t' Public Information Meeting. Additional changes to draft goals will be
33 necessary to clarify a few of the goals and establish a consistent writing style among goals.
34 Per the adopted Comprehensive Plan Update Process, the BOCC may also refer public
35 hearing items to any of the other lead advisory boards that are involved: Affordable Housing
36 Advisory Board, Agricultural Preservation Board, Commission for the Environment, Economic
37 Development Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Orange Unified Transportation
38 Board, and Recreation and Parks Advisory Council.
39 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
13
Attachment 2
Handouts Received from Public
August 27, 2007 Quarterly Public Hearing
List of Items enclosed on the following pages:
Robin Taylor -Hall — letter from Efland Heirs
Renee Price — Historic Preservation Commission's proposed amendments to
Natural and Cultural Systems Goals
Alan Rosen — Comprehensive Plan Coalition Press Release and Vision
Statement
Sam Lasris — Orange Unified Transportation Board's Comments on County
Profile Elements
James Carnahan — Suggested edits to draft goals
2,60 f
Proposed amendments:
Natural and Cultural Resources Element
Historic Preservation
HPC Goal 1
Preservation of the architectural and archaeological resources of Orange County, and
their associated landscapes.
HPC Goal 2
Awareness and appreciation of the diverse historic and cultural heritage of Orange
County.
16
PRESS RELEASE Aug. 21, 2007
For more information contact Allan Rosen, 382 -9483, ncprout@aol.com or Kevin Schwartz, 962 -0520, kschwaztz @unc.edu
Coalition forms to guide commissioners on Orange Comprehensive Plan
CHAPEL HILL -- Leaders of a diverse group of local organizations that have banded together for the
first time are set to unveil their plan for keeping the Orange County Board of Commissioners focused on
the centrality of compact, walkable, mixed- use, transit - supportive communities as the commissioners
move forward on a new planning document with a 25 year horizon to guide how the county will look
and feel in the future.
The group will hold a news conference at 10 am. Friday in the board room at McClamroch Hall
on the Vilcom campus off Weaver Dairy Road to announce and discuss the coalition's objectives.
The county's Comprehensive Plan update is intended to guide growth and development through
the year 2030. It has not been revised since 1981. The county is set to hold a public hearing about the
plan goals at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27 at Gordon Battle Courtroom, 106 E.,Margaret Lane,
Hillsborough.
The plan update is divided into eight major areas, each known as an element: County Profile,
Economic Development, Housing, Land Use, Natural and Cultural Systems, Recreation and Parks,
Services (Utilities) and Community Facilities, and Transportation. Commissioners hope to have the plan
approved by next August.
The Comprehensive Plan Coalition will discuss what it hopes the commissioners and public will
focus on within those eight elements. The coalition was formed by groups with traditionally disparate
and sometimes opposing interests, but all are aware of the need to work together for Orange County to
have a sustainable future and of the unique opportunity the update provides the coalition to engage in
this civic debate.
"Various stakeholders who cooperatively come together to help plan our future can only be in
the best interest of Orange County and its citizens," said Fred Black, Chair of the Community Action
Network, one of the coalition partners.
Village Project Co- Chairman Allan Rosen said that his group was excited to participate in the
coalition. "The update affords all of us the chance to support a comprehensive plan that is informed by
the sustainability paradigm and based on best practices," Rosen said.
Other partners are: the Chapel Hill- Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, Inter -Faith Council for
Social Service, the Homebuilders Association of Durham, Orange, & Chatham Counties, and Walkable
Hillsborough. Additional coalition partners are expected to be announced within days.
-30-
,1
Vision Statement
The Orange County Comprehensive Plan Coalition
August 6, 2007
In October 2006, the Orange County Board of Commissioners initiated a two-year process to update the county's
Comprehensive Plan. This presents a once -in -a- generation opportunity for community stakeholders to come
together and provide guidance on how Orange County should grow and change in the future.
Coalition members are committed to working together to:
• learn more about the county's Comprehensive Plan and help educate the community about its importance,
• provide input to the county planning and advisory boards, and especially to the County Commissioners, about
our shared priorities for promoting a path to sustainability that balances environmental health, social equity,
and economic prosperity, and
present a common voice for diverse stakeholders to express our common interests in planning for a future
where environmental conservation, resource efficiency, affordable housing, social equity, economic
development, preservation of regional agricultural production and transit - ready, walkable, mixed -use,
communities are simultaneously realized.
Coalition members believe the Update should:
• determine where new compact, walkable, mixed -use, transit - supportive growth and development should occur
within the county's planning jurisdiction,
• make affirmative commitments to providing public sector infrastructure investments to stimulate development
that promotes economic prosperity, social equity and environmental health, and
• provide a framework such that the future of Orange County will be sustainable, just, and equitable.
Sustainability is achieved when stakeholders representing diverse interests work together cooperatively to assure a
healthy balance among interdependent social, environmental and economic priorities. Our coalition is committed
to ensuring that the County Commissioners include these goals in the updated Comprehensive Plan.
- -
For more information contact: Allan Rosen, 382 -9483, cpufeedback @gmail.com or Kevin Schwartz,
962 -0520, kschwartz @unc.edu
Coalition Partners, as of August 23, 2007
Chapel Hill Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Community Action Network
EmPOWERment Interfaith Council for Social Service
The Village Project Walkable Hillsborough
Homebuilders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties
is
Orange Unified Transportation Board
PO Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Memorandum
Date: August 15, 2007
To: Orange County Board of County Commissioners
Orange County Planning Board
From: Robert Peterson, Chair
Sam Lasris, Vice Chair
Orange Unified Transportation Board
Subject: Comments Regarding the County Profile (Data Element)
for the Orange County Comprehensive Plan
At its meeting on August 15, 2007, the Orange Unified Transportation Board
(OUT Board) reviewed the Draft Goals and the Draft County Profile for the
Comprehensive Plan Update. The Board unanimously agreed that the
Socioeconomic (SE) data and projections of the Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro
Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) that will be used for
regional transportation planning for years 2005 - 2035 should be included in
the Orange County Profile -in addition to projections already included in that
document. The DCHC MPO Lead Planning Agency anticipates that the
Transportation Advisory Committee will approve the SE data at its meeting
September 12.
19
James Carnahan 122 Oak Street Carrboro, NC 27510 24 August, 2007
Commissioners and Advisory Board Chairs and members:
I am providing herewith some suggested edits to the Draft Comprehensive Plan Goals that I think clarify and enhance the
desire of the Advisory Boards- to engender a condition of life in orange County that will be sustainable for ourselves and for
the generations that will follow us here.
My proposed edits are in the ri 1� column, for comparison with the original June draft on the left Proposed edits are
shown in bold italicized type.
No "Overarching Goal" was provided for the "Housing" and "Parks and Recreation" Elements. For consistency, I have
added proposed overarching goals for them.
I have replaced phrasing that was a version of "sustainable growth," or "sustainable development" with something hike
" " a sustainable fu m." "Sustainable Growth" can
development that is ecologically sustainable, or growth that produces
mean two different things; I think what we want to focus on is being sure the outcomes of growth and development are
sustainable.
Most of my edits are to the "Overarching Goal" statements. My intent is to make sure their language is clearly focused on
the desire to achieve sustainable outcomes of growth & development in the County.
Draft County Goals
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE,
DRAFT GOALS
Staff Note: The following draft goals have been
developed to support the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) adopted Comprehensive
Plan Guiding Principles. At the June 21, 2007 Joint
Advisory Boards meeting, advisory board members
identified linkages among and between Element
Goals and BOCC Guiding Principles. Staff will use
the information gathered on the 21"t to 'code" each
goal in some manner to reflect its corresponding
BOCC Principle(s) and will have this additional
information included as part of the August 27, 2007
Quarterly Public Hearing materials.
A. COUNTY PROFILE (DATA) ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Planning
Board)
Overarching Goal
A reliable source of basic county data and
information that is updated regularly,
accessible, useful, and relevant to all of the
Elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Economic
Development Commission)
-1
Suggested County Goals
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE,
DRAFT GOALS
Staff Note: The following draft goals have been
developed to support the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) adopted Comprehensive
Plan Guiding Principles. At the June 21, 2007 Joint
Advisory Boards meeting, advisory board members
identified linkages among and between Element
Goals and BOCC Guiding Principles. Staff will use
the information gathered on the 215t to "code' each
goal in some manner to reflect its corresponding
BOCC Principle(s) and will have this additional
information included as part of the August 27, 2007
Quarterly Public Hearing materials.
A. COUNTY PROFILE (DATA) ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Planning
Board)
Overarching Goal
A reliable source of basic county data and
information that is updated regularly,
accessible, useful, and relevant to all of the
Elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Economic
Development Commission)
Overarching Goal
Promote viable and sustainable commercial
development that contributes to both
property and sales tax revenues, and
enhances high - quality employment
opportunities for County residents.
Goal 1 Business Climate
Form public private partnerships to create a
stronger business climate.
Goal 2 Infrastructure
Develop infrastructure to support the desired
development.
Goal 3 Workforce Development
Establish effective systems to train and
support residents and those who work in
Orange County.
Goal 4 Quality of Place
Create partnerships that ensure the county
remains a great place in which to live and
work.
C. HOUSING ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Boards: Planning
Board and Affordable Housing Advisory
Board)
No Overarching Goal was written for this
Element.
Goal 1
A wide range of types and densities of
quality housing affordable to all in all parts of
the County.
20
Overarching Goal
Promote viable commercial development
that is ecologically sustainable and
contributes to both property and sales tax
revenues, and enhances high -quality
employment opportunities for County
residents.
Goal 1 Business Climate
Form public private partnerships to create a
stronger business climate.
Goal 2 Infrastructure
Identify ideal sites and suitable land use
patterns in which economic development
can take place. Make public investments
and capital improvements as needed to
help achieve economic goals.
Goal 3 Workforce Development
Establish effective systems to train and
support residents and those who work in
Orange County.
Goal 4 Quality of Place
Create partnerships that ensure the county
remains a great place in which to live and
work.
C. HOUSING ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Boards: Planning
Board and Affordable Housing Advisory
Board)
Overarching Goal
Ensure that quality affordable housing is
a viable option that is available to
everyone, regardless of income level,
and that it is accessible by walking,
biking and public transportation to their
places of work, shopping, services,
education, recreation and worship.
Goal 1
A wide range of types and densities of
quality housing affordable to all in all parts of
the County.
Goal 2
Utilization of Universal Design Concepts in
the construction and /or renovation of
housing.
Goal 3
The preservation, repair, and replacement of
existing housing supply.
Goal 4
Development ordinances and incentives that
promote inclusionary practices and housing
options for all income levels.
D. LAND USE
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Planning
Board)
Overarching Goal
Coordinate the amount,. location, pattern
and designation of future land uses, with
availability of County services and facilities
sufficient to meet the needs of Orange
County's population and economy
consistent with other Comprehensive Plan
element goals and objectives.
Goal 1 Sustainable Growth
Fiscally and environmentally responsible,
sustainable growth, consistent with the
provision of adequate services and facilities
and a high quality of life.
21
Goal 2
Utilization of Universal Design Concepts in
the construction and/or renovation of
housing.
Goal 3
The preservation, repair, and replacement of
existing housing supply.
Goal 4
Development ordinances and incentives that
promote incusionary practices and housing
options for all income levels.
Goal 5
Institute innovative, resource - efficient
building approaches that will maintain
quality but reduce costs of construction
and maintenance of a home.
-3-
D. LAND USE
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Planning
Board)
Overarching Goal
Ensure that existing and future built
environments are ecologically
sustainable and will promote locally self -
reliant economic development, engender
social equity, and include housing that is
affordable to people of all income levels.
Coordinate the amount, location, pattern
and designation of future land uses, with
availability of County services and facilities
sufficient to meet the needs of Orange
County's population and economy
consistent with other Comprehensive Plan
element goals and objectives.
Goal 1 Sustainable Patterns of Growth
Patterns of growth are fiscally and
environmentally responsible, have
sustainable outcomes, take place
concurrently with the provision of
adequate services and facilities, and
support a high quality of life.
Goal 2 Suitability of Land
Land uses that are appropriate to on -site
environmental conditions and features,
protect natural resources, cultural
resources, and community character.
Goal 3 Management of Urban Sprawl
A variety of land uses coordinated within a
program and pattern that limits sprawl,
preserves community and rural character,
minimizes land use conflicts, and supported
by an efficient and balanced transportation
system.
Goal 4 innovative Land Development
Regulation
Land development regulations, guidelines,
techniques and/or incentives that promote
the integrated achievement of all
Comprehensive Plan goals.
Goal 5 Natural Hazard Mitigation
Life, health, and property safe from natural
hazards.
Goal 6 Land Use Process
A land use planning process that is
transparent, fair, open, efficient, and
responsive.
E. NATURAL AND CULTURAL SYSTEMS
(Element Lead Advisory Boards: Agricultural
Preservation Board, Commission for the
Environment, and Historic Preservation
Commission)
Overarching Goal
A sustainable balance and appreciation of
natural, cultural and agricultural resources.
-4-
2Z
Goal 2 Suitability of Land
Land uses that are compatible with on -site
environmental conditions and features,
protect natural resources, cultural
resources, and community character.
Goal 3 Management of Urban Sprawl
A variety of land uses coordinated within a
program and pattern that addresses
climate change and global resource
issues, reduces darbon emissions, limits
sprawl, preserves community and rural
character, minimizes land use conflicts, and
that supports an efficient and balanced
transportation system.
Goal 4 Innovative Land Development
Regulation
Land development regulations, guidelines,
techniques and /or incentives that promote
the integrated achievement of all
Comprehensive Plan goals.
Goal 5 Natural Hazard Mitigation
Life, health, and property safe from natural
hazards.
Goal 6 Land Use Process
A land use planning process that is
transparent, fair, open, efficient, and
responsive.
E. NATURAL AND CULTURAL SYSTEMS
(Element Lead Advisory Boards: Agricultural
Preservation Board, Commission for the
Environment, and Historic Preservation
Commission)
Overarching Goal
As the built environment grows and
changes ensure that it protects and
enhances existing natural systems,
habitats, and other species, be they
local, regional or global. Support and
facilitate the use of local, renewable
energy resources to house, clothe, and
Goal 1
Energy conservation, sustainable use of
non - polluting renewable energy resources,
and efficient use of non - renewable energy
resources, and clean air.
Goal 2
Economic viability of agriculture, forestry
and horticulture and their respective lands.
Goal 3
Infrastructure and support systems for local
and regional agriculture.
Goal 4
Preservation of historic, cultural, `
architectural and archaeological resources,
and their associated landscapes.
Goal 5
Sustainable quality and quantity of ground
and surface water resources.
Goal 6
A balanced and healthy diversity of native
plant and animal populations.
Goal 7
Networks of protected natural, cultural and
agricultural lands.
F. RECREATION AND PARKS ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Recreation
and Parks Advisory Council)
No Overarching Goal was written for this
Element.
?-'b
feed us and to supply our daily needs.
Ensure that new development and
redevelopment conserve energy and
address historic, aesthetic and cultural
contexts.
Goal 1
Energy conservation, sustainable use of
non - polluting renewable energy resources,
and efficient use of non - renewable energy
resources, and clean air.
-5-
Goal 2
Economic viability of agriculture, forestry
and horticulture and their respective lands.
Goal 3
Infrastructure and support systems for local
and regional agriculture.
Goal 4
Preservation of historic, cultural,
architectural and archaeological resources,
and their associated landscapes.
Goal 5
Sustainable quality and quantity of ground
and surface water resources.
Goal 6
A balanced and healthy diversity of native
plant and animal populations.
Goal 7
Networks of protected natural, cultural and
agricultural lands.
F. RECREATION AND PARKS ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Recreation
and Parks Advisory Council)
Overarching Goal
Provide public facilities of various scales
for passive and active recreation that are
compatible with the environment and
economically and conveniently
accessible to everyone.
Goal 1
Adequately address the parks and
recreation needs of all citizens within the
County, regardless of age, sex, race or
disability.
Goal 2
Create and nurture a partnership among
regional recreational providers and facility
owners /managers, including the appropriate
co- location and sharing of school facilities,
that works together to meet the County's
recreation needs.
Goal 3
Operate County recreation facilities in a way
that ensures that facilities are available for
the public use in a manner that is multi -
generational and accessible to all County
citizens at both the Countywide and
community level.
Goal 4
Promote healthy lifestyles, quality of life and
community building by providing a variety of
affordable recreational facilities and choice
of leisure activities, while responding to the
changing needs and interests of County
residents.
Goal 5
Ensure that parks and recreational facilities
are environmentally - responsible, and that
cultural and natural resources and open
space within these sites are protected.
G. SERVICES (UTILITIES) AND
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Planning
Board)
Overarching Goal
Growth consistent with the provision of
adequate County services and facilities
while managing the impacts upon the
environmental infrastructure and effectively
protecting the county's natural and cultural
-6-
44
Goal 1
Adequately address the parks and
recreation needs of all citizens within the
County, regardless of age, sex, race or
disability.
Goal 2
Create and nurture a partnership among
regional recreational providers and facility
owners /managers, including the appropriate
co- location and sharing of school facilities,
that works together to meet the County's
recreation needs.
Goal 3
Operate County recreation facilities in a way
that ensures that facilities are available for
the public use in a manner that is multi-
generational and accessible to all County
citizens at both the Countywide and
community level.
Goal 4
Promote healthy lifestyles, quality of life and
community building by providing a variety of
affordable recreational facilities and choice
of leisure activities, while responding to the
changing needs and interests of County
residents.
Goal 5
Ensure that the design, construction, and
operation of parks and recreational
facilities are environmentally - responsible,
and that cultural and natural resources and
open space within these sites are protected.
G. SERVICES (UTILITIES) AND
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Planning
Board)
Overarching Goal
The County provides basic services in an
ecologically sustainable fashion that
supports and enhances compact
patterns of development and a balanced,
vibrant economy for everyone. Growth
resources.
Goal 1 Public Water and Sewer
Efficient provisions of public water and
sewer service systems which abide by the
current water and sewer services boundary
agreements or future agreements to be
negotiated among the county and public and
private service providers and the land use
plan.
Goal 2 Private Groundwater and
Sewer Svstem
Adequate, safe, and healthy groundwater
withdrawal and wastewater disposal
systems with minimal impacts upon water
and land resources.
Goal _3 Public Community Facilities
a. Educational:
High quality educational facilities that
support our diverse and growing population
and present opportunities for life -long
learning.
b. Library:
High quality library facilities that support our
diverse and growing. population and present
opportunities for life-long learning.
Goal Stormwater
Efficient and effective drainage, stormwater,
floodplain management, and erosion control
systems.
Goal 5 Solid Waste
Less solid waste per capita with cost
effective and environmentally responsible
disposal and management.
Goal Safety
Efficient and effective public safety
including; police, fire and emergency
services.
and the provision of adequate County
services and facilities take place
concurrently while managing the impacts
upon the environmental infrastructure and
effectively protecting the county's natural
and cultural resources.
Goal 1 Public Water and Sewer
Efficient provisions of public water and
sewer service systems which abide by the
current water and sewer services boundary
agreements or future agreements to be
negotiated among the county and public and
private service providers in a manner
consistent with the land use plan.
Goal 2 Private Groundwater and
Sewer System
Adequate, safe, and healthy groundwater
withdrawal and wastewater disposal
systems with minimal impacts upon water
and land resources.
Goal 3 Public Community Facilities
a. Educational:
High quality educational facilities that
support our diverse and growing population
and present opportunities for life -long
learning.
b. Library:
High quality library facilities that support our
diverse and growing population and present
opportunities for life -long learning.
Goal Stormwater
Efficient and effective drainage, stormwater,
floodplain management, and erosion control
systems.
Goal 5 Solid Waste
Less solid waste per capita with cost
effective and environmentally responsible
disposal and management.
Goal Safety
Efficient and effective public safety
including; police, fire and emergency
services.
H. TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Boards: Planning
Board and Orange Unified Transportation
Board)
Overarching Goal
An efficient and balanced system that
combines multiple motorized and non -
motorized modes of transportation.
Goal Environment
An efficient and integrated multi -modal
transportation system that supports the
environment and public health.
Goal 2 Access and Affordability
A multi -modal transportation system that is
affordable, available, and accessible to all
users.
Goal 3 Integration
A multi -modal transportation system that
serves existing development, supports
future development, and preserves
community character consistent with the
county's land use plans.
Goal 4 Regional Planning
A regionally - integrated, multi -modal
transportation planning process.
Z_ to
H. TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Boards: Planning
Board and Orange Unified Transportation
Board)
Overarching Goal
Support the most economical and energy
efficient mobility options for the pursuit
of daily human activity and movement of
people and goods throughout the County
and region. Work for an efficient and
balanced system that combines multiple
motorized and non - motorized modes of
transportation.
Goal Environment .
An efficient and integrated multi -modal
transportation system that supports the
environment and public health and
achieves significant reduction of carbon
emissions.
Goal 2 Access and Affordability
A multi -modal transportation system that is
affordable, available, and accessible to all
users.
Goal 3 'Integration
A multi -modal transportation system that
serves existing development, supports
future development, and preserves
community character consistent with the
county's land use plans.
Goal 4 Regional Planning
A regionally- integrated, multi -modal
transportation planning process.
27
Attachment 3
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE, DRAFT GOALS
The following draft goals have been developed to support the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) adopted Comprehensive Plan Guiding Principles. A notation is
provided after each goal indicating its corresponding BOCC Principles.
A. COUNTY PROFILE (DATA) ELEMENT
Overarching Goal
A reliable source of basic county data and information that is updated regularly,
accessible, useful, and relevant to all of the Elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
(BOCC Principles 1 -7)
B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT
Overarching Goal
Preme'te- Wiable and sustainable commercial development that contributes to both
property and sales tax revenues, and enhances high - quality employment opportunities
for County residents. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, and 7)
Goal 1 B suness Climate
F-c Public- private sector partnerships to that create a stronger business climate.
(BOCC Principles 1, 2, 5, and 7)
Goal 2 lnfrastP Gt pro
Develop- ilnfrastructure to that supports the desired development. (BOCC Principles
1, 2, 3, 7, and 8)
Goal 3 WorkfeMe
E°* Effective systems to train and support residents and those who work in
Orange County. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 7, and 8)
Goal 4
Create- yPartnerships that ensure the county remains a great place in which to live and
work. (BOCC Principles 1 -3, 7, and 8)
C. HOUSING ELEMENT
Bear-d)
Overarching Goal
Opportunity for all citizens of Orange County to rent or purchase safe, decent
accessible, and affordable housing.
Goal 1
A wide range of types and densities of quality housing affordable to all in all parts of the
County. (BOCC Principles 2, 3, 7, and 8)
07/02/07
Goal 2
ii.Housing that is useable by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or
circumstance. (BOCC Principle 7)
Goal 3
The preservation, repair, and replacement of existing housing supply. (BOCC Principles 2,
3, 5, 7, and 8)
Goal 4
Development ordinances and incentives that promote inclusionary practices and
housing options for all income levels. (BOCC Principles 2, 3, 7, and 8)
D. LAND USE
Overarchinci Goal
Coordinateion of the amount, location, pattern and designation of future land uses, with
availability of County services and facilities sufficient to meet the needs of Orange
County's population and economy consistent with other Comprehensive Plan element
goals and objectives. (BOCC Principles 1 -8)
Goal 1
Fiscally and environmentally responsible, sustainable growth, consistent with the
provision of adequate services and facilities and a high quality of life. (BOCC Principles 1 -3
and 5 -8)
Goal 2
Land uses that are appropriate to on -site environmental conditions and features, and
that protect natural resources, cultural resources, and community character. (BOCC
Principles 1 -6, and 8)
Goal 3
A variety of land uses that are coordinated within a program and pattern that limits
sprawl, preserves community and rural character, minimizes land use conflicts, and
supported by an efficient and balanced transportation system. (BOCC Principles 1 -6, and 8)
Goal 4 I.,. eyat*ye 1 and DeyeloorneRt Regulation
Land development regulations, guidelines, techniques and /or incentives that promote
the integrated achievement of all Comprehensive Plan goals. (BOCC Principles 1 -8)
Goal 5
Life, health, and property safe from natural hazards. (BOCC Principles 2 -4, and 8)
Goal 6 I and I se P+GGec•c•
A land use planning process that is transparent, fair, open, efficient, and responsive.
(BOCC Principles 1, 2, 5, and 8)
07/02/07
29
E. NATURAL AND CULTURAL SYSTEMS
�nii rrnman� and Dreroni+ +:.... /�..........:.. .' \
Overarching Goal
A sustainable balance and appreciation of natural, cultural and agricultural resources.
(BOCC Principles 2 -8)
Goal 1
Energy conservation, sustainable use of non - polluting renewable energy resources, and
efficient use of non - renewable energy resources, and clean air. (BOCC Principles 2-4,7,
and 8)
Goal 2
Economic viability of agriculture, forestry and horticulture and their respective lands.
(BOCC Principles 1 -8)
Goal 3
Infrastructure and support systems for local and regional agriculture. (BOCC Principles 2,
4, 5, and 7)
Goal 4
Preservation of historic, cultural, architectural and archaeological resources, and their
associated landscapes. (BOCC Principles 1 -5, and 8)
Goal 5
Awareness and appreciation of the diverse cultural history and heritage of Orange
County and its residents.
Goal 66
Sustainable quality and quantity of ground and surface water resources. (BOCC Principles
2 -8)
Goal 67
A balanced and healthy diversity of native plant and animal populations. (BOCC Principles
1 -5, and 8)
Goal 7-8
Networks of protected natural, cultural and agricultural lands. (BOCC Principles 2, 4 -6, and
8)
F. RECREATION AND PARKS ELEMENT
Overarching Goal
Regionally coordinated park facilities that provide healthy opportunities for recreation
and exercise for all citizens of Orange County, and that preserve important cultural and
natural resources.
07/02/07
30
Goal 1
Adequatey address the parks and recreational facilities Reeds E for all citizens within
the County, regardless of age, sex, race or disability. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8)
Goal 2
GFeate and ^„r~„re a A_ partnership among regional recreational providers and facility
owners /managers, including the appropriate co- location and sharing of school facilities,
that works +another to meets the County's recreation needs. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, and 8)
Goal 3
Operates r-Recreational facilities in a way that ens gyres that facilities are available
for the public use in a manner that is multi - generational and accessible to all County
citizens at both the Countywide and community level. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 7, and 8)
Goal 4
Premete hHealthy lifestyles, quality of life and community building by through the
provision of a variety of affordable recreational facilities and choice of leisure
activities, while responding to the changing needs and interests of County residents.
(BOCC Principles 1, 2, and 8)
Goal 5
F=RS ire th.,t ^parks and recreational facilities that are environmentally - responsible, and
t#at where cultural and natural resources and open space within these sites are
protected. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 4 -6, and 8)
G. SERVICES (UTILITIES) AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Bement Lead AdvisGry ReaFd-. Plenninn BGaf )
Overarching Goal
Growth consistent with the provision of adequate County services and facilities while
managing the impacts upon the environmental infrastructure and effectively protecting
the county's natural and cultural resources. (BOCC Principles 1 -8)
Goal 1 DU blie Water and QeVVer
Efficient provisions of public water and sewer service systems which abide by the
current water and sewer services boundary agreements or future agreements to be
negotiated among the county and public and private service providers and the land use
plan. (BOCC Principles 1 -4, 6, and 7)
Goal 2 Pro/ate Gpeundw ter and Cewer Qy tem
Adequate, safe, and healthy groundwater withdrawal and wastewater disposal systems
with minimal impacts upon water and land resources. (BOCC Principles 1 -6)
Goal 3
a. FA Unntianal•
High quality educational facilities that support our diverse and growing population and
present opportunities for life -long learning. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 7, and 8)
07/02/07
31
b. afj�Goal 4
High quality library facilities that support our diverse and growing population and
present opportunities for life -long learning. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 7, and 8)
Goal 4 5
Efficient and effective drainage, stormwater, floodplain management, and erosion
control systems. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, and 4 -6)
Goal 66
Less solid waste per capita with cost effective and environmentally responsible disposal
and management. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8)
Goal 67
Efficient and effective public safety including; police, fire and emergency services.
(BOCC Principles 1 -3, 6, and 7)
H. TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT
Beard)
Overarching Goal
An efficient and balanced system that combines multiple motorized and non - motorized
modes of transportation. (BOCC Principles 1 -3, and 7)
Goal 1
An efficient and integrated multi -modal transportation system that supports the
environment and public health. (BOCC Principles 1 -3, 5, 7, and 8)
Goal 2
A multi -modal transportation system that is affordable, available, and accessible to all
users. (BOCC Principles 1 -3, 7, and 8)
Goal I,+n
A multi -modal transportation system that serves existing development, supports future
development, and preserves community character consistent with the county's land use
plans. (BOCC Principles 1 -3, 5, and 7)
Goal 4 Req;an�� Dl�nnir„w
A regionally- integrated, multi -modal transportation planning process. (BOCC Principles 1 -3,
and 7)
07/02/07
UA io - �Zon 7 -
R C/
Plan for Pleasant Green Woods Phase 3 Subdivision, in accordance with We Resolution of
Approval, which is incorporated by reference.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Commissioner Jacobs said that he noticed in reading minutes of the Mebane City
Council that Councilmember Greene had raised concerns about Duke Power spraying
herbicides on easements, and he knows that there have been discussions in Orange County
about this. He would like to share the information with Councilmember Greene.
The Board considered approval of the request to rezone a 5.48 acre site on the south
side of Eubanks Road between the Orange County landfill and Millhouse Road.
Craig Benedict said that this is part of the Chapel Hill and Orange County joint planning
transition area. In order to proceed with this project, it was necessary to change the zoning
category on the zoning atlas of Chapel Hill. This was heard at a JPA meeting and has been
processed through Chapel Hill. The zoning will be taken from an Office - Industrial classification
to an Office - Industrial Classification -1 Conditional Use. The Planning Board reviewed this and
unanimously approved it.
A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to
approve the request to rezone a 5.48 -acre site on the south side of Eubanks Road between the
Orange County landfill' and Millhouse Road.
VOTE:, UNANIMOUS
f. Comprehensive Plan Update Phase I The Board considered recognizing that
the revised County Profile Element and draft goals, as recommended by the Planning Board,
are acceptable to be used during Phase 11 to guide the completion of the remaining Elements of
the Comprehensive Plan.
Comprehensive Planning Supervisor Tom Altieri introduced` this item. He said that on
August 27`h at the Quarterly Public Hearing, public comments were heard on the draft goals and
County profile element. The County Commissioners referred these items to the Planning Board'
for its recommendation. At the Planning Board's September 5"' meeting, it discussed and
considered all public comments and recommended revisions to the Comprehensive Plan Draft
Goals and County Profile Element in response. A summary of the revisions was included in the
abstract (pp. 2 -3). The Planning Board unanimously approved these revised goals. There were
two additional actions that passed. The first motion states that the Planning Board looked at all
of the comments from the public meetings, and the reason that the Planning Board did not
incorporate some of the suggestions made at the hearing is because some of the suggestions
related more to the objectives, which will be developed during Phase II of the process. The
second motion was in the form of a resolution. It relates to preserving and strengthening
community in Orange County. He made reference to the attachments in the packet, and
reviewed these by title.
Commissioner Gordon asked for clarification on the recommendation and that staff is
only asking the Board to approve moving forward with the draft goals and County profile
element, but is not asking the Commissioners to approve them. Tom Altieri said that the
Planning Board did discuss this and wanted to stress that these goals are generally acceptable
to guide Phase II of the process, but they will not be approved until later.
Chair Carey agreed with the Planning Board and its decision about the comments. He
said that he would defer to the Planning Board's judgment. Regarding community building, he
wonders if this is appropriate in this document. He thinks that this might be more appropriate as
a separate and distinct County goal. He suggested coming back at a later time with this goal,
since there are differences of opinion on this subject.
Commissioner Jacobs suggested deferring this aspect until all of the County
Commissioners see the comments.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Nelson to
ask the Planning Board to defer discussion about community building until the County
Commissioners discuss it, and to recognize that the revised County Profile Element and draft
goals, as recommended by the Planning Board, are acceptable for use during Phase 11 to guide
the completion of the remaining Elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
EL Lease Approval: Solid Waste Administrative Offices
The Board considered approving a lease for approximately 1,600 square feet of space at
the Courtyard at Cedar Falls on Weaver Dairy Road to be used for Solid Waste Department
administrative offices for approximately one year, beginning November 1, 2007 until completion
of the new Solid Waste Operations Center and authorize the Manager to execute the lease,
subject to final approval by the County Attorney.
Solid Waste Director Gayle Wilson said that staff is asking for authorization to lease
approximately 1,600 square feet at the Courtyard at Cedar Falls on Weaver Dairy Road for a
term of one year until the new operations center is completed. The terms are for $27,000 for the
year. He said that the remediation of a hazardous waste dump plan by the University to begin
on October 1 s", resulted in a safety zone of 400 feet that encompassed the existing Solid Waste
Administration Building. This would require a relocation for at least four months and probably
longer. The evacuation zone did not quite reach the animal shelter, but it encompasses most of
the parking lot. The second reason for relocating is that there has been a delay in the
construction of the new Solid Waste Operations Center on Eubanks Road that was originally
scheduled to be completed in late fall 2007. Delays in the project design and permitting resulted
primarily from some of the innovative storm water and wastewater pretreatment, reuse, and
disposal segments of the project. Final permitting was obtained in late August. The staff did
look at other options.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to
approve a lease for approximately 1,600 square feet of space at the Courtyard at Cedar Falls on
Weaver Dairy Road to be used for Solid Waste Department administrative offices for
approximately one year, beginning November 1, 2007 until completion of the new Solid Waste
Operations Center, and authorize the Manager to execute the lease, subject to final approval by
the County Attorney.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Local Revenue Options Referendum The Board considered decision points, steps, and
timelines regarding a possible May 6, 2008 Local Revenue Options Referendum and providing
direction to staff.
Budget Director Donna Coffey said that local governments in North Carolina have
historically relied upon ad valorem taxes as the major source of revenue. For a number of
years, County Commissioners have also looked to the General Assembly to give counties the
authority to expand revenue options and lessen the reliance on the ad valorem taxes. During
the 2007 legislative session, the General Assembly finally granted counties this ability for the
revenue options. These include a 0.4% land transfer tax and an additional %-cent sales tax. In
order to enact these revenues, counties must have voter approval. The ballot can include both
issues, but the County cannot enact both of these revenues. There are no restrictions on how
the revenues would be used. According to information received from the North Carolina
aoL, -7
C- 2-
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PUBLIC HEARING ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: August 27, 2007
Agenda
Item No. C.2.
SUBJECT: Comprehensive Plan Update Phase I
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) YD
ATTACHMENT(S):
1) Draft Goals
2) BOCC Guiding Principles
3) Meeting Notes, June 21St Advisory Boards Mtg.
4) Public Comments, July 31St Open House
5) Public Comments, August 7th Public Info. Mtg.
6) Draft County Profile (Data) Element
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning
Supervisor, 245 -2579
Karen Markovics, Planner II, 245 -2583
PURPOSE: To receive public comment on draft goals and County Profile (Data) Element,
which comprise Phase I of the 2006 -2008 Comprehensive Plan Update Process.
BACKGROUND: The Comprehensive Plan, is an official public document that includes analysis
of existing and predicted conditions and provides guidance for future legal and policy decisions,
as determined by Orange County. The updated Plan will serve to guide growth and
development within the unincorporated areas of the County through the year 2030, by
addressing a multitude of issues. The adopted Plan also serves as the statutory basis for many
of Orange County's land use regulations as well as the application of zoning districts, as zoning
must be in accordance with a comprehensive plan.
On October 3, 2006, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a process for
updating the County's Comprehensive Plan in two phases as follows:
Phase I, to include the development of Comprehensive Plan goals and County Profile Element,
the first of eight Elements to be completed as part of the Update; and Phase II, to include the
remaining Elements that will comprise the updated Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive
Plan will include the following eight Elements: 1) County Profile; 2) Economic Development; 3)
Housing; 4) Land Use; 5) Natural and Cultural Systems; 6) Recreation and Parks; 7) Services
(Utilities) and Community Facilities; and 8) Transportation.
a. Draft Goals
During May and June 2007, the following County advisory boards and supporting staff
worked to develop the draft goals for the Comprehensive Plan: Affordable Housing Advisory
Board, Agricultural Preservation Board, Commission for the Environment, Economic
2
Development Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Orange Unified
Transportation Board, Planning Board, and Recreation and Parks Advisory Council.
Goals express an ideal future end related to the public health, safety, and /or general welfare
and provide a general direction - setter. The draft goals have been developed in support of
the Board of County Commissioners Comprehensive Plan Guiding Principles adopted
October 21, 2004 and amended on April 24, 2007. The draft goals will guide the completion
of the second phase of the Comprehensive Plan Update process and following adoption,
future legal and policy decisions.
Summary of steps taken to complete the draft goals:
1. March 2007 - Planning Board developed process and guidelines for Element
Managers and advisory boards to complete draft goals.
2. April 2007 — Planning Board presents process and guidelines for completing draft
goals to advisory boards at Joint Advisory Boards Meeting.
3. May /June 2007 — Element Managers and advisory boards prepare draft goals for their
assigned Element(s).
4. June 2007 —
a. Element Managers and advisory boards submit respective draft goals to
Planning Staff to merge into a composite set;
b. Composite set of draft goals distributed to advisory boards; and
c. June 21St Joint Advisory Boards Meeting held to review composite set of
draft goals and identify relationships to BOCC Guiding Principles.
5. July /August 2007 — Conducted Open House and Public Information Meeting to collect
initial public comment on draft goals.
b. Draft County Profile (Data) Element
During February - June 2007, County advisory boards (listed previously under part "a. Draft'
Goals ") and supporting staff coordinated to develop the draft County Profile Element.
Although the Planning Board and Planning Staff did play a lead role in the development of
the initial draft, several revisions were made following review and input from other County
departments and advisory boards.
The County Profile (Data) Element is to serve as the primary reference point for basic
information contained in the Comprehensive Plan. As such, it is intended to provide a
convenient location for population statistics as well as key social, environmental, and
economic conditions that exist within the County. The information included in the County
Profile Element will be used to develop the remaining seven Elements of the
Comprehensive Plan and will also serve as a resource for future planning.
Summary of steps taken to complete the draft Countv Profile Element:
1. Feb. 2007 — Planning Board reviewed draft Table of Contents. Table of Contents
routed to Element Managers and then revised.
2. March 2007 —1St draft County Profile Element presented to Planning Board and
routed to Element Managers for review.
3. April 2007 — Draft County Profile Element revised and 2 "d draft presented to Element
Lead Advisory Boards and Element Managers for review.
4. May 2007 — Comments received from Advisory Boards and addressed through 3rd
draft.
5. June 2007 — 3rd draft distributed to Element Lead Advisory Boards for comment at
June 21St Joint Advisory Boards Meeting.
3
6. July /August 2007 — Conducted Open House and Public Information Meeting to collect
initial public comment.
Important Note: It is not necessary for the BOCC to formally adopt the draft goals and County
Profile Element during Phase I of the update process. It will be Planning Staff's
recommendation to the BOCC next month that formal adoption not take place until after the
May 2008 public hearing is held on the entire Comprehensive Plan. However, there should be
some recognition from the BOCC during Phase I that the draft goals and County Profile
Element are generally acceptable and should be used during Phase II to guide the completion
of the remaining Elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): In accordance with the approved timetable, Administration
recommends referral to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned to the BOCC
no sooner than September 19, 2007. The Planning Board will provide specific
recommendations for any additional changes to the draft goals and County Profile Element that
may be required in response to comments heard from the BOCC and /or public during the
Hearing. The Planning Board will also consider comments collected at the June 21St Advisory
Boards Meeting, July 31St Open House, and August 7th Public Information Meeting. Additional
changes to draft goals will be necessary to clarify a few of the goals and establish a consistent
writing style among goals.
Per the adopted Comprehensive Plan Update Process, the BOCC may also refer public hearing
items to any of the other lead advisory boards that are involved: Affordable Housing Advisory
Board, Agricultural Preservation Board, Commission for the Environment, Economic
Development Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Orange Unified Transportation
Board, and Recreation and Parks Advisory Council.
4
Attachment 1
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE, DRAFT GOALS
The following draft goals have been developed to support the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) adopted Comprehensive Plan Guiding Principles. A
notation is provided after each goal indicating its corresponding BOCC
Principles.
A. COUNTY PROFILE (DATA) ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Planning Board)
Overarching Goal
A reliable source of basic county data and information that is updated regularly,
accessible, useful, and relevant to all of the Elements of the Comprehensive
Plan. (BOCC Principles 1 -7)
B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Economic Development Commission)
Overarching Goal
Promote viable and sustainable commercial development that contributes to both
property and sales tax revenues, and enhances high- quality employment
opportunities for County residents. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, and 7)
Goal 1 Business Climate
Form public private partnerships to create a stronger business climate. (BOCC
Principles 1, 2, 5, and 7)
Goal 2 Infrastructure
Develop infrastructure to support the desired development. (BOCC Principles
1, 2, 3, 7, and 8)
Goal 3 Workforce Development
Establish effective systems to train and'support residents and those who work in
Orange County. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 7, and 8)
Goal 4 Quality of Place
Create partnerships that ensure the county remains a great place in which to live
and work. (BOCC Principles 1-3,7, and 8)
C. HOUSING ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Boards: Planning Board and Affordable Housing
Advisory Board)
Goal 1
A wide range of types and densities of quality housing affordable to all in all parts
of the County. (BOCC Principles 2, 3, 7, and 8)
07/02/07
67
Goal 2
Utilization of Universal Design Concepts in the construction and /or renovation of
housing. (BOCC Principle 7)
Goal 3
The preservation, repair, and replacement of existing housing supply. (BOCC
Principles 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8)
Goal 4
Development ordinances and incentives that promote inclusionary practices and
housing options for all income levels. (BOCC Principles 2, 3, 7, and 8)
D. LAND USE
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Planning Board)
Overarching Goal
Coordinate the amount, location, pattern and designation of future land uses,
with availability of County services and facilities sufficient to meet the needs of
Orange County's population and economy consistent with other Comprehensive
Plan element goals and objectives. (BOCC Principles 1 -8)
Goal 1 Sustainable Growth
Fiscally and environmentally responsible, sustainable growth, consistent with the
provision of adequate services and facilities and a high quality of life. (BOCC
Principles 1 -3 and 5-8)
Goal 2 Suitability of Land
Land uses that are appropriate to on -site environmental conditions and features,
protect natural resources, cultural resources, and community character. (BOCC
Principles 1 -6, and 8)
Goal 3 Management of Urban Sprawl
A variety of land uses coordinated within a program and pattern that limits
sprawl, preserves community and rural character, minimizes land use conflicts,
and supported by an efficient and balanced transportation system. (BOCC
Principles 1 -6, and 8)
Goal 4 Innovative Land Development Regulation
Land development regulations, guidelines, techniques and /or incentives that
promote the integrated achievement of all Comprehensive Plan goals. (Bocc
Principles 1 -8)
Goal 5 Natural Hazard Mitigation
Life, health, and property safe from natural hazards. (BOCC Principles 2 -4, and 8)
07/02/07
A
Goal 6 Land Use Process
A land use planning process that is transparent, fair, open, efficient, and
responsive. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 5, and 8)
E. NATURAL AND CULTURAL SYSTEMS
(Element Lead Advisory Boards: Agricultural Preservation Board, Commission for
the Environment, and Historic Preservation Commission)
Overarching Goal
A sustainable balance and appreciation of natural, cultural and agricultural
resources. (BOCC Principles 2 -8)
Goal 1
Energy conservation, sustainable use of non - polluting renewable energy
resources, and efficient use of non- renewable energy resources, and clean air.
(BOCC Principles 2 -4, 7, and 8)
Goal 2
Economic viability of agriculture, forestry and horticulture and their respective
lands. (BOCC Principles 1 -8)
Goal 3
Infrastructure and support systems for local and regional agriculture. (BOCC
Principles 2, 4, 5, and 7)
Goal 4
Preservation of historic, cultural, architectural and archaeological resources, and
their associated landscapes. (BOCC Principles.1 -5, and 8)
Goal 5
Sustainable quality and quantity of ground and surface water resources. (BOCC
Principles 2 -8)
Goal 6
A balanced and healthy diversity of native plant and animal populations. (BOCC
Principles 1 -5, and 8)
Goal 7
Networks of protected natural, cultural and agricultural lands. (BOCC Principles 2,4-
6, and 8)
F. RECREATION AND PARKS ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Recreation and Parks Advisory Council)
Goal 1
Adequately address the parks and recreation needs of all citizens within the
County, regardless of age, sex, race or disability. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8)
07/02/07
7
Goal 2
Create and nurture a partnership among regional recreational providers and
facility owners /managers, including the appropriate co- location and sharing of
school facilities, that works together to meet the County's recreation needs.
(BOCC Principles 1, 2, and 8)
Goal 3
Operate County recreation facilities in a way that ensures that facilities are
available for the public use in a manner that is multi - generational and accessible
to all County citizens at both the Countywide and community level. (BOCC
Principles 1,: 2, 7, and 8)
Goal 4
Promote healthy lifestyles, quality of life and community building by providing a
variety of affordable recreational facilities and choice of leisure activities, while
responding to the changing needs and interests of County residents. (BOCC
Principles 1, 2, and 8)
Goal 5
Ensure that parks and recreational facilities are environmentally - responsible, and
that cultural and natural resources and open space within these sites are
protected. (BOCC Principles 1, 2,4-6, and 8)
G. SERVICES (UTILITIES) AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
(Element Lead Advisory Board: Planning Board)
Overarching Goal
Growth consistent with the provision of adequate County services and facilities
while managing the impacts upon the environmental infrastructure and effectively
protecting the county's natural and cultural resources. (BOCC Principles 1 -8)
Goal 1 Public Water and Sewer
Efficient provisions of public water and sewer service systems which abide by the
current water and sewer services boundary agreements or future agreements to
be negotiated among the county and public and private service providers and the
land use plan. (BOCC Principles 1-4, 6, and 7)
Goal 2 Private Groundwater and Sewer System
Adequate, safe, and healthy groundwater withdrawal and wastewater disposal
systems with minimal impacts upon water and land resources. (BOCC Principles 1-
6)
Goal 3 Public Community Facilities
a. Educational:
High quality educational facilities that support our diverse and growing population
and present opportunities for life -long learning. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 7, and 8)
07/02/07
b. Library:
High quality library facilities that support our diverse and growing population and
present opportunities for life -long learning. '(BOCC Principles 1, 2, 7, and 8)
Goal Stormwater
Efficient and effective drainage, stormwater, floodplain management, and erosion
control systems. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, and 4 -6)
Goal 5 Solid Waste
Less solid waste per capita with cost effective and environmentally responsible
disposal and management. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8)
Goal Safety
Efficient and effective public safety including; police, fire and emergency
services. (BOCC Principles 1 -3, 6, and 7)
H. TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT
(Element Lead Advisory Boards: Planning Board and Orange Unified
Transportation Board)
Overarching Goal
An efficient and balanced system that combines multiple motorized and non -
motorized modes of transportation. (BOCC Principles 1 -3, and 7)
Goal Environment
An efficient and integrated multi -modal transportation system that supports the
environment and public health. (BOCC Principles 1-3,5,7, and 8)
Goal 2 Access and Affordability
A multi -modal transportation system that is affordable, available, and accessible
to all users. (BOCC Principles 1 -3, 7, and 8)
Goal 3 Integration
A multi -modal transportation system that serves existing development, supports
future development, and preserves community character consistent with the
county's land use plans. (BOCC Principles 1 -3, 5, and 7)
Goal 4 Regional Planning
A regionally- integrated, multi -modal transportation planning process. (BOCC
Principles 1 -3, and 7)
07/02/07
9
Attachment 2
Principles Adopted by the BOCC for the Comprehensive Plan Update
There are eight (8) principles, adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners
(BOCC) on October 21, 2004, for the Orange County Comprehensive Plan Update
2006 -2008. Principle #3 was modified by the BOCC on April 24, 2007, and the revised
principle is given below. These principles are representative of the BOCC values and
are as follows (for clarification, staff has added one word as provided in italics):
1. Efficient and Fiscally Responsible Provision of Public Facilities and Services
2, Encouraging Sustainable Growth and Development
3. Encouraging Energy Efficiency, Lower. Energy Consumption and the Use of Non -
Polluting Renewable Energy Resources While Promoting Both Air Quality Protection
and the Development of an Effective Transportation System
4. Natural Area Resource Preservation
5. Preservation of Rural Land Use Patterns
6. Water Resource Preservation
7. Promotion of Economic Prosperity and Diversity
8. Preservation of Community Character
These eight Principles guided the development of the goals and will guide other aspects
of the Comprehensive Plan Update.
IN
Attachment 3
Comprehensive Plan Update
3rd Joint Advisory Boards Meeting
June 21, 2007
Meeting Notes
This Joint Advisory Boards Meeting was held to review the full set of draft goals
generated for all eight Elements; relate draft goals to the Board of County
Commissioners' eight Comprehensive Planning principles; and identify any draft
goals that conflict, are redundant, or facilitate other draft goals.
Comments and /or questions conveyed by advisory board members:
1) 1 would like to see the schools as an element all on its own. The schools do
take <50% of our budget.
2) Last Friday's in Hillsborough — a good place to publicize public meetings.
3) 50% of County budget goes to education — however education is not
represented in Comprehensive Plan!
4) Education is 'missing' from Principles even though education is 50% of
budget.
5) Questions from the floor: A sustainability office responsible for monitoring and
implementation?
6) None of the Principles seem to deal with equity issues.
7) Housing Element Goal #2
"Universal Design Concepts" needs a definition. Our group does not know
what it means.
8) 1 am opposed to the use of the word "encourage" in BOCC Principle #2. It is
pejorative — it encourages growth — not sustainability. I prefer "Monitor'.
9) Economic Development Element —
Goal 2 "Infrastructure" is vague.
10) Economic Development Element Overarching Goal
Promote viable and sustainable commercial development that contributes
to both property and sales tax revenues, ate- enhances high - quality
employment opportunities for County residents, and responds to identify
needs of county citizens — example: Locally Grown Healthy Foods.
11
11) BOCC Principle #8
What IS community character? Needs better definition.
12) Overarching Goal for Sustainability
How does this plan address our need to change?
How are we changing the way we live as consumers of our natural
resources that will bring our consumption levels to levels that are equitable
with other people living on this planet?
How are we dealing with global warming, peak oil, local food systems,
teaching our children to be other than voracious consumers?
Farmers in our future- how do we preserve our operating farms from going
out of business? When they close the cost of land and necessary
equipment is prohibitive to a new farmer starting up.
We need Educational Farms that teach our children the basic skills they
(or anyone) will need to have to manage our farms in the future. All
children can do some form of community service for example where they
can help and at the same time learn about production of food.
Farmers need apprentices to help farming (harvesting, planting) there is a
large movement of young people 18 -30 years old, who would like to live
on a farm and learn. They will need housing and the kind of housing they
want is off the grid, alternative to conventional methods that are not
currently permitted (straw bale, rammed earth, log, local material, rock
foundations). They don't buy into 30 -year mortgages and the farmer can't
afford that kind of housing. If the house rots back into the earth if no one
lives there at some point why should there be a permit?
Staff note: Although relationships were identified between and /or among goals,
advisory board members identified no conflicting goals. Advisory board
members also found that all draft goals related to at least one of the BOCC
Guiding Principles and all Principles were addressed by multiple goals.
12
Attachment 4
Orange County Comprehensive Plan
Open House
Planning and Agricultural Center
July 31, 2007 3:00 -7:00 pm
Public Comments Provided on Comment Cards
I live on Saw Mill Rd. in Cedar Grove, NC.
Phone: 919 4H####
I have paid a total of $50.00 to have my water tested, Isn't there a way to have
water tested for a community or this area? (See us on the map) Also, what
would be the cost if water and sewer would be extended to the Saw -Mill area?
- Hathie Vanhook-
As soon as possible I recommend that the city limits, ETJ, and county planning
jurisdiction map be overlaid with the Appendix A Water and Sewer Management
Planning and Boundary Agreement map. I want to see where dense residential
and commercial growth can be served by water and sewer within the county's
jurisdiction, and which water /sewer utility will be responsible for delivering the
infrastructure.
- Anonymous-
13
Attachment 5
Orange County Comprehensive Plan
Public Information Meeting
New Hope Elementary School Auditorium
August 7, 2007 7:00 -9:00 pm
Meeting Notes
Questions from public following staff presentation:
Question 1: The word "partnership" is used in one of the goals and needs
clarification, how is that word being used? What's the intent?
Answer: Goals completed by several advisory boards and I am not familiar with
the specific intent - that's one of the things that we are looking at today, wording
that needs clarification. We are documenting all questions to be considered.
Question 2: How did each element work on their draft goals? There needs to be
explanation on how the goals will compliment and support each other? General
background?
Answer: Each of the sets of goals were worked on by the respective advisory
board, then compiled and all lead boards looked at all goals to identify linkages to
the principles and identify any inconsistencies. We are still working on this and
asking for public input.
Question 3: Will there be a timeline to show what the timeline will really be? Is
the 1981 plan going to be republished? Is there a paper or something that gives
you information on what you should do?
Answer: Yes, the county commissioners have set the stage for this process and
they have adopted this process, timeline and guiding principles. This process will
result in a new document that will replace the 1981 Plan.
Question 4: If you could please let the original Board know what we did right in
1981? People seem to be reinventing the wheel, did our ideas work?
Answer: Staff completed a general evaluation of the 1981 plan; the planning
board reviewed the evaluation and made some additions. This document is
available on the website. One of the things that we used for the evaluation were
public comments provided during previous outreach efforts. There is an
identification of goals that have been well addressed and ones to focus more on.
We had several meetings and were able to identify which goals were on people's
minds.
Answer (Cont.): We noticed in the original plan that there were not specific and
measurable objectives. This is something we hope to improve upon during this
update process.
Question 5: Are there plans for Orange County inclusive of Hillsborough and
surrounding areas in the process in regards to water and sewer and buffers- is
this a joint planning process and are they going to be involved?
Answer: In the strict sense, this is not a joint planning process, we are planning
for Orange County's planning jurisdiction. However, there will be an
14
intergovernmental coordination section with each element that will be developed
knowing that many of the county's goals will require that coordination.
Answer (Cont.): The small area plan efforts will continue.
Facilitated Discussion on Draft Goals:
Facilitator asks, 'What needs are being met by any one or more of the goals ? ";
and 'What are you concerned about, as you review the draft goals ?"
Public Comments:
1'. Premature to say, I need to see measurability, the goals are way too
broad.
2. Transportation goals are specific and moving in the right direction.
3. The Housing goals seem to meet the needs.
4. Preservation of farmland and protecting groundwater quality are areas
where my needs seem to be met.
5. Transportation- the roads and their design are a problem.
6. Urban sprawl- traffic pattern problems; not enough attention to traffic.
7. Natural and cultural systems goal #5 how do you plan to do this? What
concerns me is the quality not quantity and also water and sewer
problems — I don't want to see any sludge application in the Upper Eno
watershed.
8. Economic development may help traffic congestion. Because we don't
have places for development, that creates urban sprawl and puts pressure
on the rural buffer- we need sufficient size districts and we need to show
what tradeoffs are involved to maintain our schools.
9. We need to have honest transparent discussions of public finance.
Linkages between economic development/transportation /housing and
uses not addressed. Need more equitable distribution of housing.
10. Water issues - we need to use data that is more current to determine what
our capacity is and to see what growth we can sustain.
11. Reemphasize regional transportation discussions between counties to
keep lines of communications open and think more broadly of jurisdictions
that are involved.
12. Forming of public and private partnerships- we have a really strong
Chamber of Commerce whatever we do should include them and use
them in whatever way necessary to form partnerships.
15
13. Expand on economic growth to provide better tax revenue. Commercial
EDD's are so strict that it will not allow economic development. Orange
County has a negative image towards growth.
14.There should be a process of linking the comprehensive plan to small area
planning. Timelines should sync - be very clear. Different activities,
intergovernmental relations, infrastructure, should co- mingle to better
exist. We should look at Intra jurisdictional workings between small area
plans and everything else.
Questions following staff review of next steps:
Question 1: Will the draft goals go to Public Hearing as they are now?
Answer: Yes, but all comments will be included with Public Hearing materials for
review.
Question 2: The Planning Board will provide their recommendations and there
will. be staff recommendations, when will these materials be available?
Answer: The Planning Board may be asked to make a recommendation at their
September 6th meeting. Draft goals and County Profile Element have been on
the website for several weeks. The Abstract and supporting materials for August
27th Hearing will also be posted on the County website.
c0q,C 7
2 Com rehensive Plan U date Phase I. On October 3 20 e 06 th B f t C
p p , oar d C
o oun y
Commissioners approved a process for updating the County's Comprehensive Plan in two
phases. Phase 1 includes development of Comprehensive Plan goals and the County
Profile Element.
a. Draft Goals: The following advisory boards have developed draft goals for the
Comprehensive Plan: Affordable Housing Advisory Board, Agricultural Preservation Board,
Commission for the Environment, Economic Development Commission, Historic
Preservation Commission, Orange Unified Transportation Board, Planning Board and
Recreation and Parks Advisory Council. Draft goals will guide completion of Phase 2 of
Comprehensive Plan.
b. Draft County Profile (Data) Element: The County Profile (Data) Element is the primary
reference point for basic information contained in the Comprehensive Plan. It will be the first
of eight Plan elements to be completed and will be used to develop remaining elements as
well as serving as a resource for future planning.
Tom Altieri said that for this item there are two handouts in the packet — part A, Draft Goals,
and part B, Draft County Profile Element. These two parts are to be addressed as one item. He
made a PowerPoint presentation.
August 27, 2007
Quarterly Public Hearing
Agenda Item C.2
Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor
Comprehensive Plan Update, Phase I
a. Draft goals
b. Draft County Profile (Data) Element
Presentation Includes:
• Comprehensive Plan Purpose and Scope
• Roles —Who's Involved?
• Update Process and Timetable
• What's a Goal /Objective?
• Opportunities for Citizen Knowledge, Access, and Input
• How was Draft Goals /County Profile Element Developed?
• County Profile Element — Purpose and Content
• Next Steps
Comprehensive Plan Purpose
• Framework for long -range decision making
• A guide for growth and development
• Sets goals and objectives to guide policy decisions
• Serves as statutory basis for land use regulations
Comprehensive Plan Scope
• Planning period, 20+ years
• Planning for Orange County's planning jurisdiction
• Covers 8 major areas, known as Elements
• Each Element will detail existing conditions, project future needs and set objectives to
reach goals
Comprehensive Plan Elements
County Profile (Data)
Economic Development
Housing
Land Use
Natural and Cultural Systems
Recreation and Parks
Services (Utilities) and Community Facilities
Transportation
Roles in General
BOCC — Set stage; provide directions to advisory boards and staff; hear and consider public
comments; adopt plan
Advisory Boards — Direction to staff and consultants; provide input and feedback
Consultants — Meeting facilitation; partner with staff and advisory boards to complete draft Plan
County Staff — Partner with consultants; support boards
Public — Attend meetings and hearings; provide input and feedback
Element Lead Advisory Board
Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Agricultural Preservation Board
Commission for the Environment
Economic Development Commission
Historic Preservation Commission
Orange Unified Transportation Board
Planning Board
Recreation and Parks Advisory Council
Update Process and Timetable
Phase I (Oct. '06 — Sept. 07):
Goals
County Profile (Data) Element
Public Hearing (August 27h)
Phase I I (Oct. '07 —Aug. '08):
Development of Comprehensive Plan
Text for remaining 7 elements
Objectives
Public Hearing (May '08)
Goal and Objective Defined
Goal (Phase 1) — A general direction setter, expressed as an ideal future end related to the public
health, safety, or welfare. May not be quantifiable or time - dependent.
Objective (Phase II) — A specific end, condition, or state that is an intermediate step toward
reaching a goal. It should be achievable and, when possible, measurable and time - specific.
Opportunities for Citizen Knowledge, Access, and Input
Meetings:
Meetings of 8 Element Lead Advisory Boards
Countywide Public Information Meetings
Open Houses
Public Hearings
Accessinq Information:
Meetings, staff, advisory board members, Internet, mailing lists, County libraries, and press
releases
Availability of Public Hearing Documents — Draft Goals and County Profile Element
Website:
www.co.orange.nc.us /planning /compre cpupdate.asp
• Handouts were available at July 31St and August 7th public input meetings
• Copies have been available for public review at County's libraries and Planning
Department
• Limited copies available tonight
Draft Goals
• 37 draft goals addressing 8 elements (objectives to be developed for each Goal in Phase
II)
• Advisory boards prepared draft goals using the following documents for reference:
0 1981 Land Use Element (Plan) goals
0 1999 BOCC goals
o Report on Sustainability Indicators for Orange County (2000)
o Shaping Orange County's Future (Aug. 2003 newspaper insert)
o BOCC Guiding Principles for the Comprehensive Plan (2004, amended 2007)
BOCC Guiding Principles
1. Efficient and Fiscally Responsible Provision of Public Facilities and Services
2. Sustainable Growth and Development
3. Encouraging energy efficiency, lower energy consumption, and the use of non - polluting
renewable energy resources while promoting both air quality protection and the
development of an effective transportation system
4. Natural Area Resource Preservation
5. Preservation of rural land use patterns
6. Water Resource Preservation
7. Promotion of Economic Prosperity and Diversity
8. Preservation of Community Character
Draft County Profile Element Purpose
• Source of information for population statistics and key conditions in the County
• Common data source to help guide development of remaining Elements
• Not designed to be an exhaustive resource for all information
• Updated regularly following Plan completion
Draft County Profile Development
1. Planning Staff prepared draft Table of Contents (ToC)
2. ToC reviewed by Planning Board (PB) and Element Managers (EMs) and revised
3. 1St draft County Profile prepared from ToC, reviewed by Planning Board and EMs and
revised
4. 2nd draft County Profile reviewed by Element Lead Advisory Boards and EMs and revised
5. 3`d draft County Profile presented at public input meetings and Public Hearing
Draft County Profile Element Contents
• Charts, tables and graphs of Historic and Current Data for:
• Geographic Context
• Population
Housing
Employment/Economy
Environment
• Transportation
Population Projections
Reference and Informational Maps
Appendix for:
Definitions
Methodologies
Additional resources
Next Steps — County Administration Recommending:
Referral of draft goals and Profile Element to Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned
to BOCC no sooner than Sept. 19th.
Planning Board will consider comments collected tonight; at July 31St and August 7th public input
meetings; and June 21 st Joint Advisory Boards meeting.
Important Note:
BOCC will not be asked to formally adopt draft goals and County Profile Element during Phase I.
Rather, the BOCC will be asked to consider formal adoption of these items during Phase II after
the May 2008 Public Hearing.
Jay Bryan thanked the staff and Planning Board members for this effort.
Commissioner Jacobs thanked staff for the work on the Efland Cheeks Small Area Plan.
Commissioner Jacobs made reference to B1.1 and Orange County Size, and said that this
is really talking about Orange County Population. In the second paragraph, it lists the planning
jurisdictions. He said that this would be an appropriate place to mention the rural buffer, which is
a distinctive land use arrangement. Also, on pages D4 and D5 with the maps of North Carolina,
he suggested putting an arrow on Orange County.
Tom Altieri recognized Karen Markovics, Planner II, who was instrumental in the
preparation of the County Profile Element.
Michelle Kempinski asked about the adoption sequence. Tom Altieri said that the staff
would not be asking the Board of County Commissioners to formally adopt the profile element and
draft goals during phase I, but only to recognize them as generally acceptable to guide the
completion of the remainder of the plan. He said that if the Board of County Commissioners
formally adopted these two documents during phase I, it would further fragment the
comprehensive plan. Also, during the preparation of the plan, there could be some minor
adjustments to the-goals if determined necessary by the advisory boards or County
Commissioners.
Craufurd Goodwin said that some of the goals should be reworded because there are a lot
of incomplete sentences.
Tom Altieri said that these goals have been taken to public hearings as they were
submitted by each of the respective advisory boards. The advisory boards felt like it was
important to hear public comment on the goals as the individual advisory boards prepared them.
The Dispute Settlement Center and Clarion are recommending that action verbs not be included
in the goals, and that the goals should be expressed as a desired end.
Commissioner Gordon asked that the public signed up to speak tell where they live.
Marty Mandell said that it is her opinion that sustainability should be the big, main goal.
She said that this word is confusing because it means different things to different people. She
said that sustainability is at the heart of survival and reflects how humans treat the earth and the
values they place on preserving the earth's natural resources. She said that several years ago,
Orange County made a sustainability commitment by creating a "green" infrastructure through the
Lands Legacy Program. This was the first major step towards sustainability by a county in North
Carolina, and it has received national recognition. She said that the next step should be to
continue funding the Lands Legacy, but also to define just what sustainability means. She said
that the Comprehensive Plan should describe the processes by which the basic needs of the
citizens are provided and protected without depleting the quality of life. Some important issues
are water supply, air quality, and supply of locally grown agricultural products. She said that this
might be the last really good chance to join the international concept of working together for a
sustainable world.
Robin Taylor -Hall is a citizen of Hillsborough. She represents the Simpson Efland heirs.
She said that the heirs want to make sure that an issue is addressed on one of the properties
(79.23 acres), north of 1 -85 and 1-40. There is a huge watershed area at the bottom of this tract of
land, and this was put there when the Seven Mile Creek Reservoir was planned. Since this is not
being planned anymore, the request is that this be removed or addressed in the comprehensive
plan. She made reference to the letter written to her by the heirs and submitted to the County
Commissioners and the Planning Board.
Renee Price is from Hillsborough and is on the Historic Preservation Commission. She
said that the Commission had two goals, and one got into an over - arching goal, and she is
concerned about this. She proposes going back to two goals. She said that there is majority
support of this from the HPC, although there was no vote on it. The goals are: preservation of the
architectural and archaeological resources of Orange County and their associated landscapes;
and awareness and appreciation of a diverse historical and cultural heritage of Orange County.
Allen Rosen lives in Chapel Hill Township. He is a member of The Village Project as well
as a member of the recently formed coalition that is paying a lot of attention to the Comprehensive
Planning process. He thanked the County Commissioners for the forethought in moving towards
the comprehensive process and planning for all eight elements simultaneously. He thanked the
Planning Board and advisory boards for this substantial undertaking. He said that the website has
been an invaluable aid. He thinks that the recommendation, to not adopt the draft goals at this
stage, is very admirable. He thinks that there is a lot of room for improvement, refinement, and
possibly some addition to the draft goals. He said that the Coalition includes members from the
Inter -Faith Council and EmPOWERment, Inc. Tonight, there are also people from Community
Action Network, Chapel Hill /Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, The Village Project, Homebuilders
Association of Durham /Orange /Chatham Counties, and Walkable Hillsborough. He thinks that
value can been added to the process by encouraging individuals and groups to be involved. He
distributed a copy of the Coalition statement. He said that the Coalition believes that the
Comprehensive Plan Update should determine where new compact, walkable, mixed use, transit
supported growth and development should occur within the planning jurisdiction.
Ben Lloyd lives in Efland. He spoke about the issues of economic development in the
Comprehensive Plan. He said that in December of 1982 he served on the Board of County
Commissioners. When Ken Thompson arrived in town in 1981, there was not enough money to
pay the bills from July to December, when the tax money came in. He said that Ken Thompson
created an 11 -point plan, which was nothing more than robbing Peter to pay Paul. He said that in
1983 when he served on the Board of County Commissioners, the County was still short of money
to provide needs. At this time, he contacted the North Carolina Department of Commerce, and
three people visited with him. He took the representatives around the County, and he was told
that with US 70/1 -85 /Southern Railway corridor through Orange County, that this was the most
potential area in the State for good, clean, low -water using, non - polluting, high - paying economic
growth that would provide both jobs and money for Orange County. He was also told that due to
the lack of interest in cooperation from Orange County in the 15 years prior to that, when
economic development interests came to Raleigh, that Orange County was marked off the list.
He said that less than 90 days ago, he spoke with an individual involved in economic development
in the State, who has been working in this position for about a year. When this individual took this
job, he was told by his superiors not to waste his time in Orange County because they do not want
anything there. He said that after four years since the Economic Development Commission was
created, there has not been one brick laid within this economic development corridor. He owns
property within this corridor. He said that two and a half years ago, the County Commissioners,
along with the Economic Development Department, committed that by June 2010, 5,000 new
commercial jobs and $45 million of new commercial tax base would be created. Nothing has
happened yet. He said that it was reported in the State of the County meeting in the spring that
there had been 915 new commercial jobs created and $45 million in new commercial tax base.
He found out later that this was not true, but that it was referring to Meadowmont. He said that the
developer of Meadowmont told him that Orange County had nothing to do with this growth. He
said that 1 -85 runs through Durham, Orange, and Alamance Counties, and in the past 20 months,
Durham County has created in excess of 2,500 new commercial jobs and has added $545 million
of new commercial tax base. Alamance County has created some $200 -300 million in new
commercial tax base and hundreds of jobs. Orange County property tax has increased 524% in
the last 20 years. The property tax has increased every year for 19 straight years. He said that
Orange County has an image that has to be overcome. He asked the County Commissioners
what they intended to do about it.
Sam Lasris lives in Cedar Grove. He spoke on behalf of the Orange Unified
Transportation Board. He said that it has come to the attention of the OUTB that the
Durham /Chapel Hill /Carrboro MPO is going to release socioeconomic data and projections that
will be used for regional transportation planning for the years 2005 -2035. It is anticipated that this
data will be released after the meeting on September 12th. He formally requested that this data be
included in the profile element.
James Carnahan lives on 122 Oak Street, Carrboro. He is a board member of The Village
Project, but he said that the comments he was going to make were his own. He distributed a
handout. The column on the right includes his suggested wording of the draft goals. He said that
he is particularly interested in the concept of sustainability. He agreed with Marty Mandell that
clarity of the sustainability goal is very important. He said that it is important to talk about the
outcomes of growth and development rather than use a phrase like "sustainable growth" or
"sustainable development ". He thinks that the goal is that the outcome of all activities is
ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable. He thinks that the language should reflect
this and avoid the ambiguity of "sustainable growth" or "sustainable development'. He said that a
couple of the elements did not have over - arching goals, and he thought that it was important for
consistency that they did, so he created them. He asked the County Commissioners to consider
the amended language of the goals, which is in bold italics.
Laura Blackmon made reference to the Economic Development overarching goal and said
that the staff is looking at the definition of economic development. She would like for the
Economic Development Commission to look at this again and perhaps broaden the definition.
Patrick McDonough lives at 105 Fidelity Street, Carrboro. He said that he thinks that the
fundamental question before the Board is where growth goes. He thinks that the County has
been great at deciding where growth will not go, but not so great at deciding where it will go. He
said that a lot of his friends are planning to move to Durham so that they can buy a house. He
said that there are not enough homes that are affordable in Orange County. He said that it will be
great to have all of the elements done at once for the Comprehensive Plan.
Dolly Hunter lives in Bingham Township. She made reference to the stated goal of the
County Profile Data Element, which states that it is to be "updated, useful, and relevant." She
suggested adding the word "accurate ". For example, the most recent water resource research is
from 1981, and water resources govern the amount of growth that can occur. She also requested
that there be accurate historic subdivision and lot size data and something to show that the
number of minor and major subdivisions have gone down, and that primarily 10 -acre lots have
been created because it is so difficult to get subdivision approval. She said that the minimum lot
size being created is closer to three acres and not the one or two -acre lot size minimum allowed.
She said that the fact that minor and major subdivision approval is so difficult should be
researched. The Land Use Element Goal #6 is to have the land use planning process be
transparent, fair, open, efficient, and responsive. She said that it is the exact opposite of this. The
data needs to show more accurately the rural population because there are too many graphs
showing municipal growth. She wants to make sure that the data is accurate and relevant.
Jay Bryan lives on Old NC 86 in Chapel Hill. He spoke to the County Commissioners
about the idea of establishing another element in the Comprehensive Plan to address Planning
Principle #8, Preservation of Community Character, which was adopted by the Board in 2004.
Such an element could read as follows: Maintenance of community and preservation of
community character. A possible goal for the element could read as follows: Establishment of
community building principles regarding community issues and decision making to help citizens of
Orange County work and live together in harmony. He said that when he was on the Carrboro
Board of Aldermen, there were some policies and strategies promoted such as Carrboro
Community Day, which has spun off into a music festival, film festival, Latino festival; rules for
communication among members of the Board of Aldermen in public meetings; rules for effective
communication at public hearings; an annual roundtable meeting for representatives from various
subdivisions and neighborhoods in the Town; a mediation program to help address differences
between citizens and differences between citizens and Town government; a program for inviting
school children to observe and learn about local government to promote leadership opportunities;
the use of mediation to resolve planning issues around development; and the use of facilitated
meetings for gaining public input and trust. He said that as a result of the standing committee that
he and Commissioner Gordon served on, the original 15 -step proposal for the Shaping Orange
County's Future Task Force references community building as one of the two tasks that were to
be addressed by the task force. He said that a natural extension of this work would be to support
at least in principle the idea of adding this additional element to the Comprehensive Plan. He
asked the County Commissioners to consider forwarding the idea of such an element to the
Planning Board for further discussion and consideration.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to
refer to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned to the BOCC no sooner than
September 19, 2007. The Planning Board will provide specific recommendations for any
additional changes to the draft goals and the County Profile Element that may be required in
response to comments heard from the BOCC and /or public during the Hearing. The Planning
Board will also consider comments collected at the June 215` Advisory Boards Meeting, July 31St
Open House, and August 7t' Public Information Meeting. Additional changes to draft goals will be
necessary to clarify a few of the goals and establish a consistent writing style among goals.
Per the adopted Comprehensive Plan Update Process, the BOCC may also refer public
hearing items to any of the other lead advisory boards that are involved: Affordable Housing