HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-21-1997 - 10c 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 21, 1997
Action Agenda
Item #_104.
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION ON USE OF GIS IN IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL SCHOOL SITES
DEPARTMENT: PLANNING PUBLIC HEARING: Yes---X_No
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: Yes--X_No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
None Dr. Halkiotis, 732-8126
Dave Stancil, Extension 2590
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough - 732-8181
Durham - 688-7331
Mebane -227-2031
Chapel Hill -967-9251
PURPOSE: To receive a presentation on how the County's Geographic Information System
(GIS)can be used by school systems to identify possible school sites.
BACKGROUND: In February, Commissioner Halkiotis convened a meeting between Planning and
Orange County Schools staffs to review the potential for sharing
geographic/digital data sources for mutual benefit. A database with locations of
school children was combined with a GIS coverage of school districts and school
locations. This information was overlaid with the locations of new subdivisions
from 1994-1996 in the school district.
In March, another GIS map was produced for use by the Orange County Schools
Site Selection Work Group. GIS Project Coordinators created a map of the county
showing land constraints and available parcels of land-based on land needs for
elementary, middle and high schools. This map is being used by the Site Selection
Work Group in identifying possible sites for future schools.
Commissioner Halkiotis and staff will outline this process and show the GIS maps
created as part of this effort.
RECOMMENDATION: For information purposes only.
GIS APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOLS
Since February, Planning has been working with staff from Orange County
Schools to begin sharing GIS and digital data. Tonight, we'd like to show you two
products that have been produced that are of great value to both the County and
OC Schools database.
GIS maps are built by overlaying coverages. For example, this map of school
districts is one "coverage." Data on student location from the OC Schools SIMS
and TIMS programs was plotted by Planning GIS Coordinator Beth McFarland.
Then, a coverage of school districts was combined with a new coverage that
shows locations and number of lots for new subdivisions - to show where new
lots will be occurring by school district. As this database is added to and refined,
this could be of great value in projecting enrollment and at least providing some
"early-notice" to schools on future impacts.
The second product was produced to assist the OC Schools Site Selection
Committee, developed by Planning's other GIS Project Coordinator, Miriam
Coleman. Three base coverages were plotted and then combined:
• This plot shows data on all parcels of land in the County schools
• This plot is actually two coverages combined - resource protection areas and
watershed critical areas - shown on one map here.
• These coverages were combined, and the parcels of land were color-coded
by size into three categories: the dark brown are lots that are of the general
size needed for elementary schools. The medium brown are of the size for
middle schools, and light tan color are sites large enough to accommodate a
high school.
Overlaid with the environmental constraints, one can begin to zoom in on the
sites which might be most feasible for future school sites.
Mobile Homes map - example of new things working on
In conclusion:
• great work by Beth and Miriam, mention also Marvin's leadership in
developing and Roscoe's assistance
• "This is where the future is" - how GIS $'s being used
• Sustainability - GIS can help begin to get a handle on
• Limitless future possibilities - Can be used for many other purposes, example
- eventually plot all new houses by school district along with students
• Tool for County and schools