HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD-2013-007 Ordinance Denying Amendment to OC Comp. Plan, UDO and Zoning Atlas z -s- 13
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Ordinance#: ORD-2013-07 w
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AN ORDINANCE DENYING AMENDMENT TO
THE ORANGE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT
ORDINANCE, AND ZONING ATLAS
WHEREAS, Orange County initiated amendment to the Orange County Comprehensive Plan,
Unified Development Ordinance, and Zoning Atlas, as established in Sections 1.1, 1.2, and 1.7
of the Orange County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), in order to establish two new
zoning overlay districts and accompanying regulations in an area of the county known as
Efland, and
WHEREAS, the parcels over which a zoning overlay district were proposed to be placed are
depicted on the map in the pages attached to the Ordinance in the agenda packet for the
February 5, 2013 Orange County Board of County Commissioners meeting and are identified
as follows:
Efland Village Overlay District
PIN Approximate PIN Approximate
Acreage Acreage
9844776873 1.15 9844990565 9.58
9844781300 0.65 of 0.99 9844995085 4.18 of 4.64
acre parcel acre parcel
9844781766 2.17 9844999100 0.77 of 1.93
acre parcel
9844783301 1 9854074868 0.25
9844783725 2.14 9854074909 0.44
9844784391 0.85 9854074954 0.26
9844785743 4.02 9854076999 0.27
9844786242 0.46 9854077979 0.28
9844786326 0.08 9854078927 0.04
9844787303 0.23 9854078931 0.22
9844788137 3.64 9854078939 0.02
9844788631 2.01 9854078949 0.28
9844788940 1.86 9854078996 0.24
9844799385 4.69 9854079976 0.27
9844870924 2.43 9854080094 1.77
9844874973 0.4 9854080850 1.07
9844880661 0.98 9854081212 0.51
9844880970 0.88 9854081353 0.82
9844881230 1.35 9854081693 1.66
9844882391 1.15 9854081916 0.52
9844882528 1.13 9854083138 0.15
9844883012 1.15 9854083232 0.15
9844883596 1.34 9854083321 0.51
9844883951 2.39 9854083835 1.12
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Efland Village verlay District
PIN Approximate PIN Approximate
Acreage - Acreage
9844884079 0.37 9854084052 0.15
9844884284 0.38 9854084057 0.16
9844884355 0.33 9854084115 0.46
9844886648 1.14 9854084152 0.15
9844886973 1.42 9854084252 0.46
9844887024 2.03 9854084353 0.3
9844887342 0.97 9854084605 1.59
9844892385 3.51 19854086528 0.47
9844893637 2.2 9854087250 2.74
9844896163 1.3 9854088807 0.40 of 0.93
acre parcel
9844896477 3.48 9854089170 0.44
9844972913 0.59 9854089250 0.52
9844973943 0.24 9854172953 0.34
9844974903 0.24 9854173499 0.99
9844974974 0.36 9854175987 0.82
9844976945 1.37 9854180304 0.98
9844980845 9.3 9854181001 0.94
9844981114 5.8 9854184217 7.25
9844985234 1.83 9854189274 1
9844987242 1.53 9854272951 1.99
9844987792 1.77 9854274935 0.75
9844988083 1.27 9854280393 0.48
9844988391 0.74 9854281107 0.43
9844988652 0.92 9854282236 0.68
9844988811 0.35 9854283244 1.84
Efland Interstate verlay District
PIN Approximate PIN Approximate
Acreage Acreage
9844763221 0.79 of 5.5 9844966325 0.04
acre parcel
9844766443 1.82 of 5.02 9844970156 0.53
acre parcel
9844768882 5.64 9844970237 0.46
9844778312 5.7 9844970317 0.66
9844854839 1.29 9844970543 0.33
9844861573 16.78 9844971003 0.74
9844865155 2.72 9844972545 1.6
9844867573 12.67 9844973039 1.36
9844873438 2.67 9844973217 0.49
9844873578 0.09 9844973308 0.55
9844877368 3.64 9844975018 1.21
9844879067 0.71 9844975240 0.39
9844879543 0.68 9844975300 0.4
Efland Interstate verlay District
PIN Approximate PIN Approximate
Acreage --Acreage
9844960493 0.44 9844975309 0.48
9844960563 0.59 9844975514 0.94
9844960792 1.56 9844978308 3.58
9844961126 1.63 9854051970 4.58
9844963059 0.89 9854070389 3.04
9844963252 0.38 9854073630 0.52
9844963354 0.56 9854074304 6.1
9844963540 0.57 9854076601 0.51
9844963644 0.48 9854077569 0.51
9844963748 0.57 9854077601 0.51
9844965134 1.12 9854078611 0.51
9844965259 0.31 9854079412 2.48
9844965336 0.41 9854161576 90.73
9844965437 0.34 9854171451 3.68
9844965621 0.99 9854178549 2.37
9844965735 0.32 9854272077 12.89
9844965832 0.32 9854276296 2.22
9844966039 0.51 9854361253 2.02
9844966320 0.04 9854466706 8.92 of
187.77 acre
parcel
and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 1.1.5, 1.1.7, and 2.8 of the LIDO and to Section 153A-
341 of the North Carolina General Statutes, the Board finds there is insufficient documentation
within the record supporting the proposed amendments and that the proposed amendments
will not carry out the intent and purpose of the adopted 2030 Comprehensive Plan or part
thereof.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Commissioners of Orange County that the proposed
amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, Unified Development Ordinance, and Zoning Atlas,
as detailed in the agenda packet for the February 5, 2013 Orange County Board of County
Commissioners meeting, are denied.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED THAT this ordinance be placed in the book of published
ordinances and that this ordinance is effective upon its adoption.
Upon motion of Commissioner W /Vt J& seconded by
Commissioner (Z-, the foregoing ordinance was adopted this
day of 2013.
I, Donna S. Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for Orange County, DO HEREBY
CERTIFY that the foregoinq is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said Board at a
meeting held on Sr c2,�11 3 , 2013 as relates in any way to the adoption of
the foregoing and that said proceedings are recorded in the minutes of the said Board.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of said County, this day of ,
®
CleW46 the Board of Commissioners
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ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 5, 2013
Action Agenda
Item No. 6-b
SUBJECT: Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendments
and Zoning Atlas Amendments to Establish Two New Zoning Overlay Districts
in the Efland Area - Public Hearing Closure and Action (No Additional
Comments Accepted)
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Comprehensive Plan / Future Land Use Perdita Holtz, Planner III, 919-245-2578
Map and Unified Development Ordinance Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 919-245-
(UDO) Amendment Outline Form 2592
(U D O/Zo n i n g-2012-13)
2. Staff-Recommended Ordinance
Approving Amendment
3. Planning Board-Recommended
Ordinance Approving Amendment
4. Resolution - Statement of Consistency
5. Ordinance Denying Amendment
6. Resolution — Statement of Inconsistency
7. Excerpt from Draft Minutes - November
19, 2012 Quarterly Public Hearing
8. Excerpt from Approved Minutes —
December 5, 2012 Planning Board
Meeting
PURPOSE: To receive the Planning Board's recommendation, close the public hearing, and
make a decision on Planning Director initiated amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, Unified
Development Ordinance, and Zoning Atlas in order to establish two new zoning overlay districts
in the Efland area. The primary purpose of the overlay districts is to provide for a more village
and urban style of development in an area of the county served, or intended to be served, by
public water and sewer systems.
As a reminder, the reconvening of this hearing is solely to receive the Planning Board
recommendation and any additional written evidence submitted since the November 19, 2012
Quarterly Public Hearing. This hearing is not intended to solicit additional input. While the
BOCC may ask staff questions related to the review of a given item, comments from the public
shall not be solicited.
BACKGROUND: The form in Attachment 1 contains additional information and analysis
regarding these County initiated amendments, which are consistent with the adopted Efland-
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Mebane Small Area Plan. The amendment package in Attachment 2 includes a map showing
the extent of the two proposed zoning overlay districts.
Ninty-eight (98) parcels containing approximately 157 acres are located in the proposed Efland
Village Overlay District. Sixty-four (64) parcels containing approximately 275 acres are located
in the proposed Efland Interstate Overlay District. These figures include road and rail rights-of
way.
Planning staff held a Public Information Meeting on November 14, 2012. Ten people and one
BOCC member attended the meeting to learn more about the proposal.
Public Hearing
This proposal was heard at the November 19, 2012 joint public hearing. Please see Section
C.1.b of Attachment 1 for a summary of questions and comments made at the public hearing
and staff responses. Comments #4 and 5 of the referenced section contain comments on which
the Planning Board was asked by staff to make a specific determination.
Procedural Information
In accordance with Section 2.8.8 of the Unified Development Ordinance, any evidence not
presented at the public hearing must be submitted in writing prior to the Planning Board's
recommendation. Additional oral evidence may be considered by the Planning Board only if it is
for the purpose of presenting information also submitted in writing. The public hearing is held
open to a date certain for the purpose of the BOCC receiving the Planning Board's
recommendation and any submitted written comments.
Additionally, as a result of a 2012 NC Supreme Court decision, governing bodies are required to
take two separate actions addressing a proposed zoning atlas amendment, specifically:
1. Adoption of an Ordinance approving or rejecting the proposed atlas amendment
(included in Attachments 2 and 3), and
2. Adoption of a separate statement denoting the atlas amendment complies with an
adopted comprehensive plan (this is the Statement that comprises Attachment 4).
Planning Board Recommendation
The Planning Board considered this item at its December 5, 2012 meeting. The Planning Board
unanimously voted to recommend approval of this item with recommended changes, specifically
that pedestrian circulation and connectivity should be provided in the Efland Village Overlay
District. (See Section C.1.b, comment 5 in Attachment 1 for additional information). The
Planning Board's recommended additions are included in the text of Attachment 3 in green font
color. The Planning Board approved minutes are included in Attachment 8.
Planning Director's Recommendation
The Planning Director recommends approval of the proposed Comprehensive Plan, UDO, and
Zoning Atlas amendments contained in Attachment 2. The additions in Attachment 2 address
comments made at the Quarterly Public Hearing regarding provision of an internal pedestrian
system in multi-family and larger commercial projects but do not require project applicants to
provide a pedestrian system that connects to adjacent parcels. The recommendation for
approval is based on the following:
• The amendments further implement recommendations in the Efland-Mebane Small Area
Plan; and
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• The amendments are reasonably necessary to promote the public health, safety, and
general welfare and to achieve the purposes of the adopted Comprehensive plan or part
thereof; and,
• The amendments are consistent with the goals and policies of the adopted
Comprehensive Plan.
Special Note: As noted above, the Planning Board deliberated and recommended the addition
of "Pedestrian Circulation" requirements in the Efland Village overlay district (noted in green on
pages 6-34 and 35 of Attachment 3). The discussion arose from a comment made at the
Quarterly Public Hearing regarding the inclusion of internal pedestrian systems for larger-scale
non-residential and multi-family projects in the Efland Interstate overlay district without a similar
requirement proposed for the Efland Village overlay district (see Section C.1.b, comment 5 in
Attachment 1).
For smaller scale projects in a `village' setting, the appropriate pedestrian plan would be within
the road right-of-way. However, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is
responsible for road maintenance in counties and does not maintain sidewalks (see link to work
session materials on this topic in Section B.1 of Attachment 1). Therein a quagmire exists - the
goal of walkability but no locational public accommodation unless on private property which has
associated issues. These issues have been discussed with the County Manager and County
Attorney's office.
Issues
1. The imposition of 'requiring' public use of private property including the cost
(potentially upwards of$100 per linear foot, depending on site conditions), liability and
maintenance. Do issues of partial taking arise?
2. Would this pedestrian system have to be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
compatible (i.e. paved)?
3. The legal authority to enforce lack of maintenance.
4. The increase in impervious square footage due to the walkway causes a restriction in
the potential building size.
5. Would the 'piece-meal' implementation cause "sidewalks to nowhere" and/or affect
the development design of adjacent parcels?
6. Associated liabilities to third parties by individual property owners.
7. Lack of an overall master plan for walkability.
Admittedly, these issues are counterbalanced with the benefits and safety of walkability and
therefore the Planning Director recommends that additional study occur to create more logical,
legal and cost effective regulations in regards to pedestrian systems. The development of a
village pedestrian master plan with associated private maintenance authorities could potentially
be explored. In the interim, the proposal in Attachment 2 should be considered for adoption.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: See Section C.3 of Attachment 1.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board:
1. Receive the Planning Board's recommendation of approval;
2. Close the public hearing; and
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3. Deliberate as necessary and decide accordingly. The Manager recommends 3.a. below
at this time.
a. If the Board decides to adopt the changes recommended by the Planning
Director, the Board should adopt Attachments 2 and 4 which authorize the
amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, Unified Development Ordinance, and
Zoning Atlas and provide the required Statement of Consistency with the
Comprehensive Plan.
(In addition, research potential solutions to the issues noted.)
b. If the Board decides to adopt the changes recommended by the Planning
Board, the Board should adopt Attachments 3 and 4 which authorize the
amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, Unified Development Ordinance, and
Zoning Atlas and provide the required Statement of Consistency with the
Comprehensive Plan.
c. If the Board decides not to adopt any changes, the Board should adopt
Attachments 5 and 6, which consist of an ordinance denying the amendments and
the Statement of Inconsistency with the Comprehensive Plan.
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� b
Chair Jacobs clarified that theoretically people outside of the county will be purchasing
the homes if the Board waives those hurdles and Robert Dowling said yes, after 90 days.
Commissioner McKee asked if there was any thought to transfer these homes to rental
properties, considering the number of homes on the market
Robert Dowling said there are several hurdles and CHT needs to stay focused on home
ownership not rentals. He said another issue is that special use permits that are approved by
local governments refer to home ownership, not rentals. He said if HOME funds are involved
then Orange County does have a say in some of the hurdles.
Commissioner McKee said they may have to start thinking out of the box.
Commissioner Rich said the same letter came to the Town Council several months ago
and it stated there are certain steps before Durham residents are looked at, thus giving
Orange County residents preference. She said that it may be time to view that memo again.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the CHT receives any discount on the HOA dues of
condos in the high end markets.
Robert Dowling said this is by project. He said that for East 54 there is no discount but
there is a transfer fee whereby private sector owners pay a 1% fee that is used to supplement
dues. He said that Greenbridge also has transfer fees and at 140 West there is no transfer
fee but there is an agreement with the Town of Chapel Hill. He said that it basically varies by
project but that special assessments don't get built in and dues can rise, making transfer fees
inadequate.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the subsidies mentioned are upfront or if they are
additional with homeowner dues.
Robert Dowling said that subsidies are put in at the initial sale, but because median
income has declined and everything else goes up, creating the need to re-subsidize when it is
transferred.
Chair Jacobs said he gave Tara Fikes some suggested topics from the retreat to share
with the joint meeting on March 12.
Tara Fikes said their advisory board is reviewing the letter now.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rich seconded by Commissioner McKee to close
the public hearing.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
b. Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendments and
Zonina Atlas Amendments to Establish Two New Zoning Overlay Districts in the
Efland Area - Public Hearing Closure and Action (No Additional Comments Accepted)
The Board will receive the Planning Board's recommendation, close the public hearing,
and make a decision on Planning Director initiated amendments to the Comprehensive Plan,
Unified Development Ordinance, and Zoning Atlas in order to establish two new zoning overlay
districts in the Efland area. The primary purpose of the overlay districts is to provide for a
more village and urban style of development in an area of the county served, or intended to be
served, by public water and sewer systems.
Perdita Holtz said, because of the presence of new Board members and because the
staff and Planning Board recommendations differ, she would do a review of the plan text using
PowerPoint. The slides are included in the abstract notes for Item 6B and are as follows:
Comprehensive Plan Text, Unified Development Ordinance Text, and Zoning Atlas
Amendments to Establish Two New Zoning Overlay Districts in the Efland Area
February 5, 2013
Item 6.b
Zoning Atlas Amendment(Map-see abstract)
• Heard at November 19, 2012 quarterly public hearing and referred to Planning Board for a
recommendation.
• Staff asked Planning Board to specifically weigh in on:
a. Whether to retain the staff-proposed "tick" for a Special Zoning Overlay
District in the 20-Year Transition land use classification.
b. Whether an "internal pedestrian circulation system" should be required in the
Efland Village Overlay District on a large project.
Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment(Chart-see abstract)
Planning Board Recommendation
• Keep the "tick" in the 20-Year Transition row.
• Include language to require privately-owned, connecting walkways throughout the
Efland Village Overlay District.
c. Believes that provision of a pedestrian system (and other modes of
transportation) is very important
• Unanimously voted to recommend approval if pedestrian system language added.
Staff Recommendation
• Partially based on October 2011 work session regarding sidewalks and NC counties'
challenges in providing and maintaining sidewalks.
d. BOCC sentiment that getting into "the sidewalk business" is not feasible at
this time.
• Also based on issues identified in abstract regarding requiring private provision of an
interconnecting public walkway system.
• Require that "large" projects in Efland Village Overlay District provide an "internal
pedestrian circulation system"
e. "Large" defined (for this overlay district) as:
i. Located on 2 or more acres or
ii. > 15,000 square feet of building area
iii. Large parking area: > 50 parking spaces
• Also continue to acknowledge the importance of providing sidewalks and facilities for
other modes of transportation.
• Pursue opportunities to advance these ideas and ways counties can implement them at
the State level.
Manager's Recommendation
• Receive the Planning Board's recommendation of approval with changes (require
interconnecting walkways)
• Close the public hearing
• Deliberate as necessary and decide accordingly
-Manager recommends adoption of the staff-recommended ordinance in Attachment 2
and the Resolution of Consistency in Attachment 4
Chair Jacobs clarified that if the Board follows staff recommendation, attachments 2
and 4 will be adopted and if the Board follows the Planning Board's recommendation,
attachments 3 and 4 will be adopted.
Perdita Holtz said this is correct.
Commissioner McKee questioned why approval of either recommendation would not
put the area in the sidewalk business.
Perdita Holtz said the internal pedestrian system would be private for use of
development residents only, but it would not be open to the public or interconnected to
adjacent parcels. She said that the sidewalks would be owned and maintained by the property
owners.
Frank Clifton said with the alternative of a small office or shopping complex which
would provide walkways to get to and from the complex from the parking area and again,
would be maintained by the property owners. He said that there were just so many hurdles
with sidewalks when the county does not have a public works department. He said that it is an
issue to be looked at further; the state has given the county permission to get into the sidewalk
business, but no revenue to do so.
Commissioner Price said, with regards to the sidewalks in a small development, she
wondered if this would be a requirement for every development.
Perdita Holtz said it would be a sidewalk in the public right of way and would be
provided by the developer.
Commissioner Price questioned if it would it be a requirement for builders
Perdita Holtz said it would not be frontage and the language does give the Planning
Board Director some leeway in the site review process.
Commissioner Price questioned if the sidewalk has to be concrete or could just be extra
shoulder width.
Perdita Holtz said the Unified Development Ordinance does not specify a material, but
the sidewalk would just have to be designated in some way.
Commissioner Price said when the planning board was discussing this, did they have
any specific ideas about sidewalk versus extra right-of-way areas on the road.
Perdita Holtz said that it had started out as a right-of-way discussion but this did not
mesh with DOT standards for sidewalks. She said the discussion then turned to how to have
sidewalk on private property for public use, but specific materials were not discussed. This
was left open so as to be site specific and determined during the site plan review process.
Commissioner Rich said she is a big fan of connectivity and wondered if there is a way
to make sure that there is connectivity. She questioned if the area is being looked at as a
whole or each parcel individually. She said she believes it should be a goal to have parcels
connected.
Perdita Holtz said staff is a proponent of connectivity, but their hands are tied by the
state. She said that the NCDOT has not been receptive to allowing sidewalks in the right-of-
way or of taking on any maintenance responsibility. She said things are done on a site by site
basis and there are requirements for open space connectivity.
Commissioner Rich said this is a concern and as overlay districts happen throughout
the County, the developments should not isolated. She said that the full picture is not being
considered if connectivity is not allowed.
Commissioner Price said the Board is getting caught up with the word sidewalk when it
could be called a walk way and should just be about getting to point A and point B without
being in the middle of the street. She said that NCDOT should allow use of right-of-ways for
bicycles.
Perdita Holtz said the staffs recommendation is to continue to bring this issue to the
forefront at the state level.
Frank Clifton said as staff looked at this, the reality of this village concept in a rural area
is that they don't have a connectivity plan. The hesitancy of DOT to accept more responsibility
for these right-of-ways and with the Board of County Commissioners not wanting to be
involved in the maintaining of those right-of-ways, creates the awkward position of asking
property owners to put the walkway in and accept the maintenance and liability. He said there
is need for more study and a decision about how far the County wants to get into the
urbanization business. He said that the state is expanding ability but not revenue sources for
this. He said that if the desire is to encourage development then before rules burdening
property owners are established, the issues need to be studied further.
Commissioner Gordon said she supported connectivity, but wondered if there is a
collector street plan for this area, because they are trying to make this more urban but they
have no mechanism for connectivity. She said the whole point was to allow more non-
residential development but there needs to be a path to that. She said that collector street
plans are more in the paradigm and at least have the developer build the street.
Perdita Holtz said they could look at this issue. She noted that in Efland, many of the
lots go to the center line of the roads and DOT maintains them but does not own any right of
ways. She said that the suggestion is to adopt the overlay districts at this time and put some
design standards in place before any more large scale development takes place, while
continuing to work on the topic of sidewalks.
Commissioner Dorosin clarified that what the staff recommends is approval of the
internal walkway plan for the five acre interstate district with no walkway plan for the village
district.
Perdita Holtz said that for the Village District there would be an internal pedestrian
system required for projects on 2 acres or greater than 15,000 square feet of building area.
She said that there is leeway in this during the site plan process.
Commissioner Dorosin questioned how the Planning Board's recommendation differs.
Perdita Holtz said that the Planning Board recommends a privately owned and
maintained walkway system throughout the area, on private property.
Commissioner Dorosin questions how this differs from the requirement for 2 acres or
more.
Perdita Holtz said the 2 acre requirement is only for internal use, larger businesses
would only have walkways between buildings; however the Planning Board's recommended
walkways would be a private sidewalk system that anyone could use.
x-5"- / 3
Commissioner Dorosin said his question is with regard to the approval process and he
wonders if they could incentivize the developers to provide a publicly accessible sidewalk.
Perdita Holtz said there would need to be a sidewalk plan for the area to avoid issues
with encouraging trespass on adjoining properties if a sidewalk ends at the edge of one
property and is not continued on the next.
Commissioner Pelissier said most lots in this overlay district either face Hwy 70 or
Efland Cheeks Road and these are highly traveled roads. She said that requiring sidewalks is
not going to encourage connectivity in this area.
Perdita Holtz said the internal pedestrian system is an amenity for that property.
Commissioner McKee said that this issue brings up questions that center on the cost of
housing and the cost of building in Orange County. He said that he does not believe the
planning is not far enough along to really consider and he feels the discussion is premature.
He said there should be a closer look at connectivity and whether this will continue the
escalation in property cost on housing and businesses. He thinks the high housing cost in
Orange County is partially due to these regulations.
Chair Jacobs asked Craig Benedict how this fits into the Planning Department's work
plan to pursue a connectivity plan.
Craig Benedict, Orange County Planning Director, said there is an Efland/Mebane area
implementation focus group that could be re-convened to discuss this issue along with other
topics that come with making this a village area. He said that the struggle is that there are
designated urban transition areas, yet there are characteristics that fit more with a rural county.
He said that if growth is to be promoted, the connectivity characteristic is needed. He said
there will be a work plan note put together and sent to the Commissioners on what the
Planning Board is trying to achieve and how progress will be made. He said there is potential
to bring this up on the work plan for this year.
Chair Jacobs agreed with the connectivity issue being a priority and said this issue has
been discussed in the Efland area for about 8 years. He said it has not been satisfactorily
addressed. He said either recommendation will require more work for planning staff. He said
that an incentive plan is worth looking at and a connectivity plan is essential. He said that if
intensity is going to be encouraged then comprehensive connectivity must be dealt with. He
said that it is the job of the Board, if planning for urban style growth, to plan for urban style
transit and he would hope for concrete recommendations this year.
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee seconded by Commissioner Gordon to
close the public hearing.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
A motion was made try Commissioner McKee seconded by Commissioner Rich to
adopt item 3-c which states the Board will not adopt any changes, and that the Board will
adopt
Attachments 5 and 6, which consist of an ordinance denying the amendments and
the Statement of Inconsistency with the Comprehensive Plan; and that staff and the Planning
Board will address and answer the issues on page 3, Items 1-7 listed below:
1. The imposition of'requiring' public use of private property including the cost
(potentially upwards of$100 per linear foot, depending on site conditions), liability and
maintenance. Do issues of partial taking arise?
2. Would this pedestrian system have to be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
w jw
compatible (i.e. paved)?
3. The legal authority to enforce lack of maintenance.
4. The increase in impervious square footage due to the walkway causes a restriction in
the potential building size.
5. Would the 'piece-meal' implementation cause "sidewalks to nowhere" and/or affect
the development design of adjacent parcels?
6. Associated liabilities to third parties by individual property owners.
7. Lack of an overall master plan for walkability.
Commissioner Dorosin said he sees the seven issues as narrower than what Chair
Jacobs said about connectivity plans and urbanization of the area.
Commissioner McKee said his intent is that this be moved back to the Planning Board
and staff for discussion and not that any comments or ideas discussed be eliminated or not
considered. He said the idea of putting the plan in place and then addressing the issues is
counterproductive and said that he is supportive of the village and the zoning.
Chair Jacobs said #7 on page 3 is just a comment, not a direction and he questioned
Commissioner McKee's intention in requesting an answer to this open ended statement.
Commissioner McKee said the intention is to address the lack of overall plan or to ask
what the plan is.
Chair Jacobs said he wanted to clarify if the Board is directing staff to proactively
address a walkability plan or just saying that there is no overall plan.
Commissioner McKee said the issue of need for, or lack of need for, a master plan
should be part of the Planning Board and staff's discussion. He said that his concern
continues to be the 700 pages of the Economic Development Ordinance and its impact on the
affordability of housing and the attractiveness of locating businesses in Orange County.
Commissioner Rich said it feels like this is not ready to be voted on.
Commissioner Gordon suggested that the Motion 3-c should include the additional
statement to "Accept the planning director's recommendation", followed by the
recommendation wording below Issue 7 on page 3, which states as follows:
...Planning Director recommends that additional study occur to create more logical,
legal and cost effective regulation in regards to pedestrian systems. The development of a
village pedestrian master plan with associated private maintenance authorities (should)
potentially be explored
Commissioner McKee accepted the friendly amendment
Commissioner Gordon asked for clarification about Commissioner McKee's original
statement of the issues.
Chair Jacobs said that he read 3-c and then asked for answers and clarification to
issues 1-7.
Commissioner Gordon said she would say address the issues and then add the second
point she read previously, changing the word could to should.
Commissioner Rich accepted the friendly amendment.
Commissioner Price said that liability is mentioned with regard to pedestrian walkways
but she is concerned about safety and this is not mentioned.
Commissioner Dorosin asked Craig Benedict about the recommendation of adoption of
Attachment 2, in the interim.
Craig Benedict said that, aside from the pedestrian walkway issue, there are 15-20
good aspects that are not being questioned and make sense. He said that going with 3-c
throws these good things out. He said that going with Attachment 2 accepts these good things
and holds off the pedestrian circulation issues.
Chair Jacobs said that if you read 3-c it states that everything comes to a halt.
r'
VOTE: Ayes, 4 (Commissioner Rich Commissioner McKee Commissioner Gordon
Commissioner Price); Nays, 3 (Chair Jacobs, Commissioner Pelissier and Commissioner
Dorosin)
Motion passed
Commissioner Pelissier questioned if there would be a need for a new public hearing.
Perdita Holtz said yes and noted that the buffer requirements are still in effect.
Chair Jacobs asked for clarification regarding all of the discussion on buffering. He
referred to page 59— c, and said the statements about vegetative buffering do not clarify if
existing vegetation can be used.
Perdita Holtz said that existing vegetations is acceptable and referred to this statement
in section 6.8.
7. Regular Aaenda
a. Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Atlas Amendment Outline and Schedule for
Upcomina Item —Orange-Alamance County Line Adjustment
The Board considered processes components and schedule for a Planning Director
initiated item for amendments to the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map and Zoning
Atlas related to the finalization of the Orange-Alamance County Line, currently scheduled for
the May 28, 2013 Quarterly Public Hearing.
For the purpose of informing the new Board members, Craig Benedict presented a PowerPoint
Presentation on the background information. He referred to the slides that follow:
February 5, 2013
AGENDA ITEM
Comprehensive Land Use Element Map and Zoning Atlas Amendments— Orange
Alamance Line
ORANGE-ALAMANCE COUNTY BOUNDARY LINE REPORT(Graphic)
BACKGROUND:
• Boundary line had become 'uncertain' over the years creating contradictory maps.
• Both the Orange and Alamance County Board of Commissioners requested the North
Carolina Geodetic Survey (NCGS) prepare preliminary surveys linking description to
field monuments
BACKGROUND:
• Both Counties initiated process
•Adoption of Session Law 2010-61 petition criteria to 'adjust the line'
• Project involved numerous Orange County departments including, but not limited to:
Manager's office, Planning, Land Records, Tax Administration, GIS, Attorney's office,
Health Department, etc.
BACKGROUND:
• 91% Line' was resolved with the passing of Session Law 2011-88 on May 25, 2011