HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-02-1996 - 14e ORANGE COUNTY 1
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 2. 1996
Action Agenda
Item#—I L+_
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SUBJECT: STAFF ASSISTANCE FOR CITIZEN-INITIATED ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS
DEPARTMENT: PLANNING PUBLIC HEARING Yes_x—No
BUDGET AMENDMENT NEEDED Yes x No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Willis
Extension 2583
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough - 732-8181
Durham -688-7331
Mebane -227-2031
Chapel Hill - 967-9251
PURPOSE: To consider establishing a policy with respect to the amount of staff assistance to be
provided to citizens initiating ordinance amendments.
BACKGROUND: At its meeting on September 17, 1996, the Board of Commissioners discussed citizen-
initiated ordinance amendments. In question was the amount of Planning Staff time
which should be spent assisting applicants in developing proposals, which may not be
supported by the staff or governing boards. The Board of Commissioners directed the
County Manager to review the issue and to report back to the Board with policy
recommendations.
Historically,the Planning Staff has worked closely with citizens in developing
amendment proposals. Most proposals have implications beyond the specific needs of
the citizen proposing the amendment. Citizens often do not have the expertise to
convert their ideas to a more broadly-applicable ordinance form.
Depending on the complexity of issues involved,a considerable amount of time can be
spent by the Planning Staff to develop a proposal for the applicant. Since the idea
would have been generated by the applicant rather than the County,the content or
purpose of the proposal may not be supported by the Staff,Planning Board or Board of
Commissioners.
In order to make the most efficient use of staff resources, the Board of
Commissioners may wish to consider reviewing the general purpose of citizen-
initiated amendment requests prior to the drafting of any text by the Planning Staff.
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The Planning Staff could draft ordinance language to carry out the ideas put forth by
the applicant, if so directed by the Board of Commissioners. Otherwise, any proposal
to be submitted for a public hearing would need to be prepared by the applicant, with
the assistance of his/her own private consultant,rather than the Planning Staff, if
assistance is needed.
RECOMMENDATION: The Administration recommends that a general description of amendments
proposed by citizens be presented the Board of Commissioners for direction
prior the drafting of proposed text by the Planning Staff, and that the Board
indicate at that time whether or not the Planning Staff is to prepare ordinance
text to be presented for public hearing.
APPLICATION FOR 3
CITIZEN-INITIATED AMENDMENT
Date
Name of Applicant
Address
Phone
Ordinance: Zoning Ordinance
Subdivision Regulations
Comprehensive Plan
Other
Detailed description of proposed amendment,including reason for request%
Attach additional sheet(s) if needed.