Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNS ORD-2002-011 Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment: Article 9. Signs67XA2 - a© © -2 - c) it ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 21, 2002 Action Agenda Item No. - b SUBJECT: Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment: Article 9 Signs DEPARTMENT: Planning & Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) NO ATTACHMENT(S): Ordinance with proposed text changes p 2 Letter requesting amendment p 7a Permitted Signs: Size, Number, Height and Location of Minutes - Planning Board -April 4, 2002 Minutes - Public Hearing -Feb. 25, 2002 p INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Benedict, Director, Ext. 2592 Robert P. Davis Planner III, Ext. 2580 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: p 8 Hillsborough 732 -8181 P9 Chapel Hill 968 -4501 11 Durham 688 -7331 Mebane 336- 227 -2031 PURPOSE: To close the public hearing, receive recommendations and make a decision on the proposed text amendment to Article 9. Signs of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance. BACKGROUND: Petitioner: Pierre Morin, Biltmore Homes, LLC • Proposal is to amend Section 9.6 Signs Not Subject To Permit Requirements • Adds subparagraph I in the unregulated signs portion of the ordinance (Section 9.6) • Current maximum of signs not subject to permit requirements is 4 square feet • This proposal would allow a 16 square foot maximum sign to be installed on the same lot as a builder's model home • Would add a provision that would require a minimum of 12 square feet of landscaping surrounding the sign including bushes or flowers • Sign would limit the information conveyed to: 1) the builder's name, 2) telephone number, 3) the hours that the model is open for viewing, and 4) an e-mail address Process 1) Public Hearing held on February 25, 2002 • Voted to send item to Planning Board for recommendation no sooner than May 21, 2002 2) Planning Board unanimously recommended denial of the proposed amendments on April 4, 2002 3) BOCC to make final decision. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no public fiscal impact associated with this decision item. RECOMMENDATION(S): Administration recommends DENIAL of the amendment. Planning Board recommends DENIAL of the amendment. 2 An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance of Orange County Be it ordained by the Board of Commissioners of Orange County, North Carolina, that the Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended as follows: Section 1: Petitioner proposed language in bold to amend Article 9 of the Zoning Ordinance: ARTICLE 9. SIGNS 9.1 Intent Amended 1/3/84 It is the general intent of this Article to prohibit signs of commercial nature in districts in which commerce is barred; to limit signs in the commercial districts in relation to the intensity of the use of the district and its surroundings; and to control the number, area and locations of signs in other districts. It is the intent of this section to regulate signs on a per lot basis in conjunction with the zoning designation of the lot as described in the current tax roll. 9.2 Traffic Safety Precautions Notwithstanding any other provisions in this ordinance, the following practices in relation to signs are prohibited in order to preserve the safety of pedestrian and vehicular movement: a) No sign shall be erected so that any part of it intrudes into the sight preservation triangle. b) No sign shall use words such as "stop," "slow," "caution ", "danger ", or similar admonitions which can be confused with traffic directional signs erected by governmental agencies. C) No sign shall be erected so that, by its location, color, nature or message, it would tend to be confused with or obstruct the view of traffic signals or signs or would tend to be confused with the warning lights of an emergency or public safety vehicle. d) No sign shall contain flashing lights, except those showing time of day and temperature. 9.3 Prohibited Locations For Signs Except where specifically permitted by this ordinance, all signs, including the supports, frames and embellishments thereto, shall not be located within any M required setback area or public right of way, nor shall any sign be attached, affixed or painted upon any utility poles, any tree, rock or other natural object within the public right of way. No sign shall be permitted on the side street frontage of a corner building, if such building is located within one hundred feet of a Residential District. 9.4 Restrictions On Illumination, Etc. No source of illumination on a sign, such as floodlights, spotlights, unshielded bulbs, etc., shall be directly visible from any public right of way, from any residential district or from adjacent premises. Animated, rotating, or other moving or apparently moving installations are prohibited. 9.5 Signs Subiect to Control Amended 7/5/88 All signs visible from the public right of way shall be erected, maintained, and operated in accordance with this ordinance and other relevant controls unless specifically excepted. Any sign authorized by this ordinance may contain non - commercial copy in lieu of any other copy. Signs not subject to the provisions of this ordinance are listed in 9.6. 9.6 Signs Not Subiect To Permit Requirements The following signs are not subject to the permit requirements ordinance: a) Non - illuminated signs not exceeding 2 per lot and 2 square feet in area, of a non - commercial nature and bearing only property identification numbers and names, post office box numbers and names of occupants of the premises. b) Flags and insignia and signs of any government, when displayed in connection with a non- commercial activity. One flag of the United States displayed in connection with a commercial activity. c) Legal notices, identification and informational signs and traffic directional signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body. d) Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights. e) Signs directing and guiding traffic on private property; not exceeding 4 square feet each, and bearing no advertising matter. 1. Amended 1/3/84 f) Signs, not exceeding 16 square feet in area and limited to 2 single - faced signs or 1 double -faced sign at each point of egress, giving the name of residential subdivisions, multiple family housing -developments, or mobile home courts. 9 -3 4 g) Internally lighted or unlighted church bulletin boards and identification signs, not exceeding 1 per abutting street and 16 square feet in area. h) Signs not exceeding 64 square feet in area, advertising agricultural products produced on the premises, if the lot is not part of a bona fide farm. i) Unlighted directional signs of non - profit organizations not exceeding 6 square feet in area, that bear no advertising matter or logo. j) Temporary real estate signs for lots of less than 5 acres, a single sign on each street frontage may be erected. It shall not exceed 4 square feet in area, and may contain the message that the property is for sale, lease or rent and the name, address and phone number of the agent. For lots of 5 acres or more in area and having a street frontage in excess of 400 feet, a second sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area may be permitted. k) Temporary construction sign. A single construction site identification sign shall be permitted. It shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, and may contain in its message identification of the project, its owner and /or developer, architect, engineer, land planner, landscape - architect, contractor and sub - contractors. Such signs shall not be erected prior to issuance of a building permit. 1) New subdivisions with more than 1 builder, a single .temporary sign may be erected to advertise a specific builder's model It shall not exceed 16 square feet, and may contain the builder's company name, phone number, hours that the model is open and e-mail address. It shall also have a minimum of 12 square feet of landscaping surrounding it, including bushes or flowers 9.7 Zoning Compliance Permit Required Before any sign, except those specifically exempted from such a requirement, shall be erected or structurally altered, a Zoning Compliance Permit must be obtained. 9.8 RESERVED 9.9 Determining the Number of Signs a) For the purpose of determining the number of signs, a sign shall be considered to be a single dispray device containing elements organized, related, and composed to. form a unit. Where matter is displayed in a random manner without organized relationship of elements, each element shall be considered a single sign. b) Without limiting the generality of subsection (a) above, a multi -sided sign shall be regarded as 1 sign. Unless specifically permitted 9 -4 5 elsewhere no more than 1 ground or pole- mounted sign having not more than 2 sign surface areas, each limited to 20 square feet, may be erected on any 1 lot. 9.10 Computation of Sign Area a) The surface area of a sign shall be domputed by including the entire area within a single, continuous, rectilinear perimeter of not more than eight straight lines, or a circle or an eclipse, enclosing the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework or bracing that is clearly incidental to the display itself. b) If the sign consists of more than one section or module, all of the area, including that between sections or modules, shall be included in the computation of the sign area. c) With respect to three dimensional or multi -sided signs, the surface area shall be computed by including the total of all sides designed either to attract attention or communicate information. d) The sign surface area of any sign located on the wall of a structure where the closest element of the sign is at least sixty feet from the street center line shall be computed by multiplying the true sign surface area subsection 9.9 (a) by 0.5. 9.11 Permitted Signs Amended 1/3/84 SEE TABLE 9.11 PERMITTED SIGNS, SIZE NUMBER, HEIGHT, AND LOCATION OF 9.12 Miscellaneous Requirements a) If a lot has frontage on more than 1 street, then the total sign surface area permitted on that lot shall be the sum of the sign surface area allotments related to each street (as determined in accordance with district in which the lot has frontage). However, the total sign surface area that is oriented toward a particular street may not exceed the portion of the lot's total sign surface area allocation that is derived from frontage on that street. b) Signs for home occupations shall not exceed 1 per lot and 4 square _ feet per sign in the R -1 and AR districts. The size in all other residential districts shall not exceed 2 square feet. c) Outdoor advertising signs shall be considered principal uses of land and shall not have other principal uses on the same lot. 9 -5 ,:el Amended d) Outdoor advertising signs shall not exceed one sign every thousand 6/4/84 (1000) feet measured in a radius from the sign. e) All signs shall comply, with the construction requirements of the North Carolina State Building Code. Trailer mounted signs do not meet these standards. Amended f) Signs identifying.any non - residential use permitted by right or by 1/3/84 special use permit in a residential zone shall not exceed 16 square feet in area and shall be limited to one single or double -faced on- premise sign per street or road frontage. No sign shall exceed six (6) feet in height. Height of the sign shall be measured from the average finished ground level to the highest point of the sign. Measurement shall not be taken from the highest point of a mound or berm at the sign site. Amended g) No more than 3 signs totaling 9 square feet in area are permitted on 1/3/84 each residentially zoned lot in connection with elections and political campaigns. Such signs shall be removed within 7 days after the election or the conclusion of the campaigns. In cases of second or subsequent primaries, signs must be removed 7 days after the concluding election. Amended h) Within the Major Transportation Corridor (MTC) District the following 6/4/84 additional requirements shall apply: 1. Outdoor advertising signs shall not be permitted in the MTC district. 2. Permitted signs within the MTC district are limited to identification and incidental signs. 3. Within the MTC district the maximum area of any sign face shall not exceed seventy -two (72) square feet. 9.13 Sign Survey Required and Compliance Deadlines Set The Zoning Officer shall make an inventory of all signs not meeting the requirements of this Article. This inventory, which shall include all land within the zoning jurisdiction of the County of Orange, shall contain the location and a description of the sign and the name and address of the owner(s) of the lot on which each sign is located, as contained in the current tax roll. Additionally, for each sign, the Zoning Officer shall note the reasons for the determination that each sign falls under the provisions of this section. Upon completion of the inventory, the Zoning Officer shall notify by certified mail the owner(s) of the lot which each sign is located of the determination that such sign falls within the provisions of this section. Such notice shall also include a copy of this Article, and the name and official address of the Zoning Officer. (See Article ll). Amended Upon determination from the sign inventory that a sign is non - conforming, 1/3/84 the following penalties are applicable: Within one year of the mailing of such notice of non - conformity, each sign which interferes with pedestrian or vehicular safety (Sec. 9.2) shall either be altered to bring such signs into compliance or be removed. Within five years of the mailing of such notice, all other signs not in compliance with other provisions of Article 9 shall either be altered to bring such sign into compliance or be removed. Any person violating this ordinance subsequent to the compliance period shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in G.S. 14 -4. Section Two: That this ordinance shall be effective upon approval. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Orange County Commissioners that the proposed Text Amendments be approved /denied. Upon motion of Commissioner , seconded by Commissioner , the foregoing ordinance was adopted /denied this the day of , 2002. I, Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said Board at a meeting held on 2002 as relates in any way to the adoption /denial of the foregoing and that said proceedings are recorded, in Minute Book No. of the minutes of said Board. 2002. WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this day of , Clerk to Board of County Commissioners 9 -7 70., Built &Life! PO-Box 848 Apex, NC 27502 August 28, 2001 Orange County Planning & Inspection Dept 306F Revere Road PO Box 8181 �. Hillsborough, NC 27278 To Whom It May Concern: We would like to make a text amendment in regards to Article 9 section 9.6 paragraph J which state: Temporary real estate signs for lots of less than 5 acres, single sign on each street frontage may be erected. It shall not exceed 4 square feet in area, and may contain the message that the property is for sale, lease or rent and the name, address and phone number of the agent. For lots of 5 acres or more in area and having a street frontage in excess of 400 feet, a second sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area may be permitted. We would like to include the following to this statement: New subdivisions with more than 1 builder, a single temporary sign may be erected to advertise a specific builders model. It shall not exceed 16 square feet, and may contain builders company name, phone number, hours that the model is open and e-mail address. It shall also, have a minimum of 12 square feet of landscaping surrounding it, including bushes or flowers. Due to competition we feel it is necessary to have signs advertising the builder of the model. I sincerely hope everything will suffice. Sincerely , - Biltmore Homes, LLC 0 d Z LL J Z m Z Z O W Z Z Z = W zQ U N O- m U 0 Wtn O o 2 ZZO WW N >F-0 a ro W � �_ cc Zm CC f-in 0_WC 00 LL NN LL 0 m-j Oy U OWD W WW�M W� zmWU.J W Z ZQ > >> W tD mN� tntn�0� �aLL ZQO FLL Q LL .JO D Cl in °-�hw w G cc 00 LLLLN= =QZo: -- Z Oc }F"W ix �o:2W N ~�Z m 'O0 Q >-0 0-_ - �"Oaw00Y� a~YZ O OOZY ZU- (9 d= OON 0CYZw wcnWUZZ 2 -U wm00 O OOZU ZwZF Z �ZCZaZf��AGGf��ACCa =�� =CCaQWBROLb MZLL�JMM 0 DOZm }a¢COO� U °a Q40~�aapawaXaoOcS -i-joowm OOOcww �»2151 Wx0Uw a a o u. <2u.2waamdaaJCnLL cncc 0200co0 < z m in Zz onusila3nad aooalno , a x LLJJ MNCOD CODs M rX X w } r X N r c° f) X xz Z z z N Q O M N O O n O M X X r X r M X x T T !W- Z Z Z M O Lo N O O N O O N O N m X N r M K m W O O O O O O O — N N n " } t0 N N O r R N L V 7 N M N O O in in r X X Cl) r N t7 } } N r M } t00 N N O C 0 r MNO O n M �0 W W r X N N m X x� } } Z Z Z jL-j Cr) N O O n N r OW W T X M X x } } z Z Z z Z O N N N Go M T X x W T X r r M X x �Z !- Z Z Z LONN N n d rG r M to W >- >- w Z Z O r O N N n r T Or r X M X } r N } } tto Z O r io E LA N n 'Oat r r- X N X X N N w Z Z z O U ZMNO O t7 Tx X � r X r Or M X xz Z 6 N N co O N n M �N- X X W r X r 04 X x �Z Z Z Z z J= r r d M CM Z W X X X r X r r Z X x� Z ao W C"+ o N � r Q Q -� r r N N Z to X X X r X r r Z X } r w co N C-4 m d Z LL J Z m Z Z O W Z Z Z = W zQ U N O- m U 0 Wtn O o 2 ZZO WW N >F-0 a ro W � �_ cc Zm CC f-in 0_WC 00 LL NN LL 0 m-j Oy U OWD W WW�M W� zmWU.J W Z ZQ > >> W tD mN� tntn�0� �aLL ZQO FLL Q LL .JO D Cl in °-�hw w G cc 00 LLLLN= =QZo: -- Z Oc }F"W ix �o:2W N ~�Z m 'O0 Q >-0 0-_ - �"Oaw00Y� a~YZ O OOZY ZU- (9 d= OON 0CYZw wcnWUZZ 2 -U wm00 O OOZU ZwZF Z �ZCZaZf��AGGf��ACCa =�� =CCaQWBROLb MZLL�JMM 0 DOZm }a¢COO� U °a Q40~�aapawaXaoOcS -i-joowm OOOcww �»2151 Wx0Uw a a o u. <2u.2waamdaaJCnLL cncc 0200co0 < z m in Zz onusila3nad aooalno , a x MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD April 4, 2002 7:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Nicole Gooding -Ray, Hunter Schofield, Vice - Chair, Crauford Goodwin, Barry Katz, Howard McAdams, Rachel Preston, Bob Strayhorn, Maria Tadd MEMBERS ABSENT: - James Selkirk, Lynn Holtkamp, and Theodore Triebel STAFF PRESENT: Eddie Kirk, Robert Davis, Catherine LaSpaluto AGENDA ITEM #1: Chair Gooding -Ray called the meeting to order. AGENDA ITEM #2: CONSIDERATIONS OF ADDITIONS TO AGENDA Preston asked for an update from staff about upcoming projects. This will be agenda item #9. AGENDA ITEM #3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES — March 6, 2002 Chair Gooding -Ray stated that she had asked for an update on the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. This will be done at the next meeting because Craig Benedict was not in attendance. MOTION: Moved approval of the minutes for March 6, 2002. Seconded by Hunter Schofield. VOTE: Unanimous AGENDA ITEM #4: PUBLIC CHARGE The Chair dispensed with the reading of the public charge. AGENDA ITEM #5: CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Gooding -Ray asked the staff for an update on the new Planning Board members. Davis said that the County Commissioners appointed them on Tuesday night, but they had not received the packet, so the members decided that they would start next month. The three new members will be given their oaths, as well as any members who have not as yet taken their oaths. AGENDA ITEM #6: COMMITTEE /ADVISORY BOARD REPORTS a. Board of Adjustment — no meeting b. Agricultural Preservation Board — Strayhorn invited the Planning Board to attend a gathering at Blackwood Farm April 10, 2002. c. Comprehensive Plan Update — This was discussed at the County Commissioners' work session last night and they only got through a portion of it. Appointments to the guidance committee will be made soon. Tom Tempia will have more information on this next month. d. Ordinance Review Committee — No meeting. The next meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. at Pop's Pizzeria, Hillsborough before the next Planning Board meeting. AGENDA ITEM #7: CONCEPT PLAN a. The Forest at Little River Subdivision — Little River Township 9 lots 39.34 acres. 601 10 4. Show proposed dedication of an additional 5 feet of right -of -way, or 12 35 feet from C/L of existing R/W whichever is greater along Old NC 10 (SR 17 10) on 3 the Preliminary Plan. 4 5. Show five -foot utility easements along both sides of all rights -of -way. 5 6. Show 75 foot buffer on each side of Old NC 10. 6 7 VOTE: Unanimous 8 9 AGENDA ITEM #8: MATTERS HEARD AT PUBLIC HEARING (February 25, 2002) 10 a. Text Amendment: Article 9 Signs 11 Petitioner: Pierre Morin, Biltmore Homes, LLC 12 13 Davis made this presentation. He said that presently the maximum size of a sign for a model home is four square 14 feet. This request would allow up to 16 square feet of unregulated signage at each model home. Staff 15 recommendation at the public hearing was to not approve this request. The recommendation of the staff to the 16 Planning Board is still denial of this request. 17 18 MOTION: Katz moved in the affirmative of the staff recommendation to deny this request. 19 Seconded by McAdams. 20 21 VOTE: Unanimous 22 23 AGENDA ITEM #9: UPDATE ON UPCOMING PROJECTS 24 25 Davis said that the new comprehensive plan process would be starting soon. There might not be any subdivisions 26 on the agenda for next month. This could be a work session. 27 28 AGENDA ITEM #10: INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 29 a. Revisions made to Letter of Appreciation for Joanna Bradshaw 30 Chair Gooding -Ray bought two gift certificates for Joanna. The letter will be 31 signed by Chair Gooding -Ray and sent to Joanna. 32 b. April Calendar - distributed 33 34 Strayhorn invited the Planning Board to the Agricultural Preservation Board tour of the farm next Wednesday. He 35 and his wife will be providing refreshments. 36 37 AGENDA ITEM #11: ADJOURNMENT 38 39 With no further items to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 Becky Butler, Typist 50 C. LaSpaluto, Minutes Preparer Nicole Gooding -Ray, Chair -- May 1, 2002 APPROVED 5/8/02 11 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD JOINT PUBLIC HEARING FEBRUARY 25, 2002 The Orange County Board of Commissioners and the Planning Board met in joint session on Monday, February 25, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom in Hillsborough, North Carolina. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Barry Jacobs and Commissioners Margaret W. Brown, Moses Carey, Jr., Alice M. Gordon and Stephen H. Halkiotis COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT: Geoffrey Gledhill and S. Sean Borhanian COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., and Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Nicole Gooding -Ray, Bob Strayhorn, Crauford Goodwin, Barry Katz, Ted Triebel, Rachel Preston, Howard McAdams and Hunter Schofield PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Maria Tad and Lynn Holtkamp NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. A. OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to add to the agenda a Closed Session "to consult with an attorney retained by the Board in order to preserve the attomey- client privilege between the attorney and the Board," pursuant to G.S. 143- 318.11(a)(3) in the case of Orange County versus Nuclear Regulatory Commission AND "to consider the qualifications, competence, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee" NCGS § 143- 318.11(a)(6). VOTE: UNANIMOUS B. PUBLIC CHARGE The Chair read the public charge. C. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS I. Petitioner Initiated Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Planning Director Craig Benedict said that this item is a text amendment to the zoning regulations in article 9, "Signs." The purpose was to receive public comment on a proposed change to the zoning ordinance, which would allow for larger signs for model homes to be unregulated. Presently, four square -foot signs for builders are unregulated. Petitioner Pierre Morin of Biltmore. Homes LLC is a developer at Churton Grove and has asked that an amendment be made to the sign code to allow a 16 square -foot sign to be unregulated. The petitioner is also suggesting that there be 12 feet of associated ground landscaping used to adorn the base of the sign. The sign would limit information to the builder's name, phone number, hours the model is open for viewing, and an e-mail address. There is no fiscal impact associated with this decision. Staff is recommending denial of this request at this time because exempting a larger sign from the requirements, when other signs under 16 square feet are regulated (businesses, etc.), would set a bad precedent. The staff believes that a four square foot model sign that is permitted.by the code is adequate representation for the information 12 needed to be conveyed to the public. The administration recommends that the proposed amendment be referred to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned to the Board of County Commissioners no sooner than May 21, 2002. Public Comment Pierre Morin, the petitioner, said that he was one of four builders in Churton Grove subdivision. He said that it was a little difficult to compete without showing new homebuyers the differences in each of their products. He said that a 2'x2' sign was not sufficient because most homebuyers would see the first house and assume that it was the only builder in the subdivision. He said that 16 square feet might be larger, but it is not as large as the Parade of Homes signs, which are 36x36'. He said that he was just showing to new homebuyers their product as compared to other builders' products. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to refer the proposed amendment to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned to the Board of County Commissioners no sooner than May 21, 2002. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 2. Orange County Hazard Mitigation Plan Craig Benedict said that this item is in response to new legislation that was put into effect in June 2001, also known as Senate Bill 300. It was an act to amend the laws regarding emergency management as recognized by the legislation because of some of the recent disasters in North Carolina such as flooding. In response to the legislative act, there was a strong suggestion that any local government that would like to be in line for assistance in case of future natural disasters should put together a hazard mitigation plan. If local governments are interested in assistance funds, it is a requirement that they adopt a plan prior to August of this year. The purpose of this item is to explain what a hazard mitigation plan includes. There was a PowerPoint presentation. Orange County worked with Greensboro and the Emergency Management Division of North Carolina to develop this plan. The goal is to make residences and businesses less vulnerable to impacts and have a coordinated approach through discussion between local governments. Hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, and snowstorms are some of the disasters that have hit North Carolina in the past few years. Another part of the mitigation strategy is to identify the junkyards and automobile establishments that are in the way of flooding because oil and other liquids from the cars can get caught up in the flooding and cause further damage downstream. Part of the requirement in the Senate bill is that the plan should be very strong in the Planning aspect. Emergency Management is an up front participant, but the state wanted the focus to be on planning to prevent structures from going into the floodplain or being placed in hazardous areas. EMS typically comes in the reactive stage so the state wants planning to be proactive to guide this in the areas of building, planning and erosion control. There has been some development along floodplains in the past, and this needs to be identified. This draft plan will be transmitted to the state for comment. The comments will come back and the final plan can be submitted. Part of the requirement of the plan is to do training with the community. Commissioner Brown asked if there were any counties in the east that were not participating. Craig Benedict said that about 90% of the counties in the east were participating. There are a few counties in the coastal areas that have not put it together. Some communities do not have the ability, between their existing departments or staff, to put it together. - The proposed action for this meeting is that we continue getting input from the local governments in preparing the plan and bring back a transmittal version of the hazard mitigation plan to the County Commissioners prior to June 1St. The state will send back their comments in order for the County to send the plan back to the state by August 1 st. There is no financial impact at this time. 12 -month list for the TIP. He said that this could be sent to the County Commissioners. This information is also on the web. Chair Jacobs said that the County Commissioners did not recall getting a notice about the Estes Drive project and the construction on 1 -40. Mike Mills said that the construction on 1 -40 stops at the Orange County line. He will send the information that he has on all projects to the County Manager. Commissioner Brown asked for an update on the Smith Level Road project. Mike Mills will check and get back to the County Commissioners. The Division is recommending a four -lane divided road because of the traffic count. There were questions about the traffic count and this is being evaluated. Regarding Estes Drive, there will be some preliminary environmental work done to see what is out there. This will be in the newspaper. This project is still several years away. Chair Jacobs asked about the computerized signalization project on Churton Street. Mike Mills said that the system has been designed and he will let the County Commissioners know where they are in the bid process. Chair Jacobs said that on a visit to some of the larger industrial plants in the Mebane area, a concern was expressed about snow removal and many asked if they could move up on the list because the employees could not get to work. 8. ITEMS FOR DECISION - CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve those items on the consent agenda as stated below: a. Citizen Participation Plan for Housing /Community Development Programs The Board approved the citizen participation plan for use in the implementation of federal and state housing programs. b. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment: Article 9. Signs The Board closed the public hearing, received recommendations and denied the proposed text amendment to Article 9. Signs, of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance, as recommended by the Administration and the Planning Board. C. Budget Amendment #7 The Board approved budget ordinance amendments and the grant project ordinance for fiscal year 2001 -2002 incorporated herein by reference. d. Master Aging Plan Senior Housing Assessment Project This item was removed and placed at the end of the consent agenda for separate consideration. e. Housing Rehabilitation Contract Award The Board awarded and authorized the Chair to sign a contract in the amount of $16,724 at 104 Bert Street, Carrboro, and $15,311 at 109 Glosson Circle, Carrboro, to Triple J Construction Company for housing rehabilitation under the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program. f. Contract Award — Rotating Card File for Voter Registration Cards The Board was to consider awarding a contract to Patterson Business Systems of Raleigh in the amount of $26,415 for a rotating card file system for voter registration cards. This item was deleted from the agenda. g_ Bid Awards: Flooring Improvements at Whitted Human Services Center and Recreation Center This item was removed and placed at the end of the consent agenda for separate consideration. h. Memorandum of Understanding — N.C. Wetlands Restoration Program The Board entered into a memorandum of understanding with the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources wetlands restoration program. 1. Proposed Deed Restriction for Little River Park and Natural Area The Board authorized the Staff to work with the County Attorney to record the attached deed restrictions to restrict future use of the Little River Regional Park and Natural Area to public outdoor recreation uses.