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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 06-17-2014 - 6mORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 17, 2014 Action Agenda Item No. 6 -m SUBJECT: Legal Advertisement for Quarterly Public Hearing —September 8, 2014 DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No ATTACHMENT(S): 1. Proposed Legal Advertisement 2. Location Maps INFORMATION CONTACT: Perdita Holtz, Planning Systems Coordinator, 919 - 245 -2578 Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 919- 245- 2592 1 PURPOSE: To consider the legal advertisement for items to be presented at the joint Board of County Commissioners /Planning Board Quarterly Public Hearing scheduled for September 8, 2014. BACKGROUND: The Board of County Commissioners reviews proposals to be considered at public hearing for consistency with general County policy and presentation format. The following items are scheduled for the September 8, 2014 Quarterly Public Hearing (please note that the list below is not the order in which items will appear on the agenda — the proposed legal ad reflects the anticipated order of the agenda). Applications- 1 . Class A Special Use Permit request submitted by Sunlight Partners LLC, SunDurance Energy, and Shelia Bishop, Michael Bishop, and Annie Nunn seeking to develop a 5 megawatt solar array /public utility station on two parcels of property, totaling approximately 50 acres in area, off of Mt. Sinai Road near Cascade Drive in Chapel Hill Township. This item was continued from the May 27, 2014 Quarterly Public Hearing and is included in the legal advertisement primarily for public information purposes (e.g., since the item was continued from a previous public hearing that was legally advertised, there is not a legal requirement to re- advertise this item for public hearing). County Initiated: 2. 2030 Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendments and Zoning Atlas Amendments to establish two new zoning overlay districts in the Efland area in Cheeks Township. The purpose of the zoning overlay districts is to encourage high quality growth in the geographic area covered by the overlay districts while protecting existing development and community character. Alternative development regulations are necessary to reflect the reality of smaller sized lots served by water and sewer systems while ensuring that good planning practices 2 related to site design, transportation, and architecture /design are achieved. These proposed amendments were heard at the February 24, 2014 Quarterly Public Hearing where the hearing was continued until September 8, 2014 to allow time for County staff to meet with interested persons to address any remaining concerns. This item is included in the legal advertisement primarily for public information purposes (e.g., since the item was continued from a previous public hearing that was legally advertised, there is not a legal requirement to re- advertise this item for public hearing). County Planning staff held a public information meeting on April 7, 2014 at Efland- Cheeks Elementary School. Approximately 30 people attended the meeting. At the conclusion of the presentation /discussion, staff offered to meet with any residents still concerned about the amendments either one -on -one or in small groups. To date, staff has received no requests for additional meetings. No specific requests for changes to the proposal were made at the meeting although several questions were asked by residents and answered by staff. Staff had developed a chart listing all of the standards of the overlay districts (some of which lessen existing regulations) along with an explanation /rationale for each standard, and staff received feedback from some meeting attendees that the presentation and chart helped them better understand the proposal. The chart and other materials used at the public information meeting are available at: http:// orangecountync. gov/ planning / includes/ ProposedEflandZoningOverlayDistrict .asp 3. 2030 Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Amendment to assign County land use classifications to 22 parcels comprising approximately 490 acres that are to be removed from the Town of Hillsborough extra - territorial jurisdiction (ETJ). The area is located generally near the Eno River between US 70 W and 1- 85/1 -40 in Cheeks and Hillsborough Townships. The proposed land use classifications include: Agricultural Residential and Public Interest District (portions to include Watershed Protection Overlay Districts). 4. Zoning Atlas Amendment to assign County zoning districts to 22 parcels comprising approximately 490 -acres that are to be removed from the Town of Hillsborough ETJ. The area is located generally near the Eno River between US 70 W and 1- 85/1 -40 in Cheeks and Hillsborough Townships. The proposed zoning districts include: Agricultural Residential (AR) and Public Interest District (PID) (portions to include Watershed Protection Overlay Districts and Special Flood Hazard Area). 5. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendments to require that a neighborhood information meeting be held at least 30 days prior to the public hearing for a Class A or Class B Special Use Permit. Due to the nature of the quasi - judicial hearing process and the need for the development of expert witnesses, objective testimony and substantial evidence, the statutory timeframe for public notice to adjacent properties (at least 10 days but not more than 25 calendar days) and Orange County's UDO minimum of 15 days is sometimes not enough time for adjacent property owners to gather the information and experts necessary for the quasi-judicial process. Staff has proposed this amendment based on BOCC interest at the May 27, 2014 Quarterly Public Hearing. 6. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendments to change the existing public hearing process for Comprehensive Plan -, UDO -, and Zoning Atlas- related projects /amendments. This item was on the February 24 and May 27, 2014 Quarterly 3 Public Hearing agendas, but was postponed due to time constraints. This item is included in the legal advertisement primarily for public information purposes (e.g., since the item was continued from a previous public hearing that was legally advertised, there is not a legal requirement to re- advertise this item for public hearing). The attached legal advertisement provides additional information regarding these items. Maps depicting the locations of items 1 through 4 are included in Attachment 2. The BOCC approved the Amendment Outline Form for items 2 and 5 at its October 15, 2013 and for items 3 and 4 at its November 19, 2013 meeting. The Amendment Outline Form for Item 6 is included for approval as part of the June 17, 2014 meeting agenda. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Other than advertising costs, which are included in the FY 2014 -15 Budget, there are no direct financial impacts associated with the approval of this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the proposed September 8, 2014 Quarterly Public Hearing legal advertisement. Attachment 1 NOTICE OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD A joint public hearing will be held at the Whitted Building, 300 West Tryon Street, 2nd Floor, Hillsborough, North Carolina, on Monday, September 8, 2014 at 7:00 PM for the purpose of giving all interested residents an opportunity to speak for or against the following items: 2030 Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendments and Zoning Atlas Amendments: The purpose of these amendments is to establish two new zoning overlay districts in the Efland area in Cheeks Township. These proposed actions are measures to implement some of the recommendations contained in the adopted Efland- Mebane Small Area Plan. These proposed amendments were heard at the February 24, 2014 quarterly public hearing where the hearing was continued until September 8, 2014 to allow time for County staff to meet with interested persons to address any remaining concerns. The February hearing materials are available on -line at: http:// orangecountync .gov /occlerks /140224.pdf. To date, no changes to the proposed amendments have been made from the amendments presented at the February 24, 2014 quarterly public hearing. A map depicting the proposed overlay districts and other written information is available on the Planning Department's website at: http: / /orangecountync.gov /planning/ includes/ ProposedEflandZoningOverlayDistri ct.as The general geographic extent of the proposed "Efland Village Overlay District" is the railroad tracks that run through Efland to slightly north of U.S. Highway 70 with west -east boundaries of the Harding Road area and Gym Road. The general geographic extent of the proposed "Efland Interstate Overlay District" is the railroad tracks that run through Efland to Interstate 40/85 with west -east boundaries of a line between Gaines Chapel Road and Center Street and the U.S. 70 Connector. Single- family residential uses are not subject to the proposed overlay districts. The purpose of the zoning overlay districts is to encourage high quality growth in the geographic area covered by the overlay districts while protecting existing development and community character. Alternative development regulations are necessary to reflect the reality of smaller sized lots served by water and sewer systems while ensuring that good planning practices related to site design, transportation, and architecture /design are achieved. Purpose: To continue review and public comment on the proposed text and zoning atlas amendments. 2. Application for a Class A Special Use Permit: In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.7 Special Use Permits and Section 5.9.6 of the Orange County Unified 0 5 Development Ordinance (UDO), Sunlight Partners LLC, SunDurance Energy, and Shelia Bishop, Michael Bishop, and Annie Nunn have submitted a Class A Special Use Permit application seeking to develop a solar array /public utility station on two parcels of property, totaling approximately 50 acres in area, off of Mt. Sinai Road near Cascade Drive in Chapel Hill Township. Sunlight Partners LLC intends to lease the parcels, with Parcel Identification Numbers (PIN) of 9881 -38 -8874 and 9881 -49 -3072, to develop a 5 megawatt facility involving the erection of individual solar arrays. The properties in question are zoned Rural Buffer (RB) and are located within the Rural Buffer land use category as denoted on the Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive Plan and the Rural Designated Area as denoted on the Growth Management System Map. This item was heard at the May 27, 2014 quarterly public hearing where the public hearing was continued to September 8, 2014. Purpose: To continue review and testimony on the application. 3. 2030 Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendment: In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3 Comprehensive Plan Amendments of the Unified Development Ordinance, the Board of County Commissioners has initiated an amendment to the Future Land Use Map located within Chapter 5: Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Through a previous joint planning process with Orange County, the Town of Hillsborough identified an Urban Service Area outside of which municipal services, such as public water or sewer, will not be provided unless for reasons of public health, safety, and general welfare. To establish consistency with the Town's Urban Service Area, the Town is adjusting its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction or "ETJ" boundary to exclude any properties located outside of its Urban Service Area. ETJ is an area outside of the Town's corporate limits over which the Town exercises its zoning and planning authority. The purpose of this County Future Land Use Map amendment is to assign County land use classifications to properties that are to be removed from the Town of Hillsborough ETJ, which it approved to become effective October 1, 2014. The proposed Future Land Use Map amendments comprise approximately 490 -acres located generally near the Eno River between US 70 W and 1- 85/1 -40 in Cheeks and Hillsborough Townships. Properties are to be classified to County Land Use Classifications, which in these cases include: Agricultural Residential and Public Interest District (portions to include Watershed Protection Overlay Districts). The Parcel Identification Numbers (PIN) of the twenty -two parcels included in this amendment are: 9864212218 9864294255 9864165305 9854989358 9864111534 9864012864 9864175152 9864135926 9864015589 9864074274 9864210925 9864111926 9864122219 9864028637 9864312586 9864155705 9864124872 9864138329 9864319480 9864224688 9864069297 9854980353 K A A map depicting the proposed land use classifications is available on the Planning Department's website at: [will be added prior to publication] Purpose: To review the item and receive public comment on the proposed Future Land Use Map amendment. 4. Zoning Atlas Amendment: In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 Zoning Atlas and Unified Development Ordinance Amendments of the Unified Development Ordinance, the Board of County Commissioners has initiated an amendment to the Zoning Atlas. This amendment is companion to the Future Land Use Map Amendment in #3 above and is to assign County zoning districts to properties that are to be removed from the Town of Hillsborough ETJ, which it approved to become effective October 1, 2014. Through a previous joint planning process with Orange County, the Town of Hillsborough identified an Urban Service Area outside of which municipal services, such as public water or sewer, will not be provided unless for reasons of public health, safety, and general welfare. To establish consistency with the Town's Urban Service Area, the Town is adjusting its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction or "ETJ" boundary to exclude any properties located outside of its Urban Service Area. ETJ is an area outside of the Town's corporate limits over which the Town exercises its zoning and planning authority. The proposed Zoning Atlas amendment comprises approximately 490 -acres located generally near the Eno River between US 70 W and 1- 85/1 -40 in Cheeks and Hillsborough Townships. Properties are to be zoned to County zoning districts, which in these cases include: Agricultural Residential (AR) and Public Interest District (PID) (portions to include Watershed Protection Overlay Districts and Special Flood Hazard Area). The Parcel Identification Numbers (PIN) of the twenty -two parcels included in this amendment are: 9864212218 9864294255 9864165305 9854989358 9864111534 9864012864 9864175152 9864135926 9864015589 9864074274 9864210925 9864111926 9864122219 9864028637 9864312586 9864155705 9864124872 9864138329 9864319480 9864224688 9864069297 9854980353 A map depicting the proposed zoning districts is available on the Planning Department's website at: [will be added prior to publication] Purpose: To review the item and receive public comment on the Zoning Atlas amendment. 5. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendment: In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 Zoning Atlas and Unified Development Ordinance Amendments of the Unified Development Ordinance, the Planning Director has initiated amendments to the text of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). K 7 The purpose of the amendments is to require that a neighborhood information meeting be held at least 30 days prior to the public hearing regarding applications for a Class A or Class B Special Use Permit. The following Sections of the UDO are proposed for amendment: 2.7, 2.9.1, 2.9.2, and 5.10. The purpose of the neighborhood information meeting is to inform surrounding property owners of the special use permit application. The proposed timeframe prior to the public hearing will allow interested persons more time to develop expert witnesses, objective testimony, and substantial evidence, all of which are requirements of the quasi - judicial nature of special use permits. The existing statutory requirement for notice of a public hearing is at least 10 calendar days but not more than 25 days. However, Orange County's UDO requires a minimum of 15 days notice for special use permit applications. Neither the statutory requirement nor the local ordinance is proposed for amendment and two notices will be provided for special use permit applications (one for the neighborhood information meetings and one for the public hearing). Purpose: To review the item and receive public comment on the proposed amendments. 6. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendment: In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 Zoning Atlas and Unified Development Ordinance Amendments of the Unified Development Ordinance, the Planning Director has initiated amendments to the text of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The purpose of the amendments is to change the existing public hearing process for Comprehensive Plan -, UDO -, and Zoning Atlas- related items /amendments. The following Sections are proposed for amendments: 2.1, 2.3, 2.7, 2.8, 5.10.2. The proposed amendments would replace the existing joint Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) /Planning Board quarterly public hearings regarding land use and planning matters and include the scope, conduct, and administration of public hearings. This item was on the February 24, 2014 and May 27, 2014 quarterly public hearing agendas but was postponed due to time constraints. Purpose: To review the item and receive public comment on the proposed amendments. Substantial changes in items presented at the public hearing may be made following the receipt of comments made at the public hearing. Accommodations for individuals with physical disabilities can be provided if the request is made to the Planning Director at least 48 hours prior to the Public Hearing by calling one of the phone numbers below. 3 0 The full text of the public hearing items may be obtained no later than August 29, 2014 at the County website www.orangecountync.gov at the Meeting Agendas link. Questions regarding the proposals may be directed to the Orange County Planning Department located on the second floor of the County Office Building at 131 West Margaret Lane, Suite 201, Hillsborough, North Carolina. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may also call (919) 245 -2575 or 245 -2585 and you will be directed to a staff member who will answer your questions. PUBLISH: The Herald Sun News of Orange August 27, 2014 August 27, 2014 September 3, 2014 September 3, 2014 rd VICINITY MAP - SUNLIGHT PARTNERS LLC +4 .��m. r� RGB ® Red: Band-1 Green: Band-2 ® Blue: Band-3 N 1 inch= 400 feet 0 5 Orange County Planning and Inspections Department 01/10/2014 Proposed Zoning Overlay Districts 111 I[h' i t h'� A- .P / 4 b '��oA`��Yt��'� }�� ti 4�P ,o ,F �� 4y�Jgyb,,bcS� �•0 C � . ' 0 � ,_c'Z'�'�vvooyaAltc �r�"ohil' �c� }d,�ltc b� U �4 h �� Proposed Efland Interstate Efland- Cheeks Highway 70 AR NC2 11 _ Overlay District ® Overlay District R1 - EC5 12 ®Proposed Efland Village Pre - designated Overlay District Commercial Area R3 - EDB -2 El Q Watersheds 0 LC1 ® OI PID Major Transportation Corridor AS 10 1 inch = 1,200 feet 0 1,000 -- F [I peet Orange County Planning and Inspections Department CIS Map Prepared by Brian Carson. 1/14/2014 Assignment of County Land Use Classifications to Areas Removed from Hillsborough ETJ Current Future Land Use Map Proposed Future Land Use Map VI&JMI -w . x -. sae . ,, skAWAIMQ��Nw- 5 .li�•�.� -i "�", , ili+.)•'. '��T�2a -"' �•L�F. ' .'4.x+17_ 114 NV,1G7� P" .'a4� !iPdFr lSri!v r All �.,�e►.t.^��'�►: �.�►;�^'*�� t _ �•�a.i�lP'.ls�'Ei{.7k�'�,d+l'�� - . ��" �r?�'iii'": .. . ' .� ��'a'FY.� M�' �. ?! �i ►iriT.�i'r?��i►'�aL'r��'aC / / / ■! - . r1"�!► �r�nll�.4ii . ' Urban Service Area =Remove Parcels • ' fc Z,F'•i.M'.�I W 1 • F Rural Residential Agricultural Residential r City Limits ETJ Overlays • Watershed Critical Areas �w Water Supply Watershedsi; Resource Protection Areas Public A Interest N w - 1 in = 1,320 feet i° ° �:•, •+ v 0 500 Feet Orange County Planning and Inspections .� I y Brian Carson (612/2014) W. ti r F- TI y �4w KYy Yi ?L i'. YSy •�•Mti'i �yi.. Assignment of County Zoning to Areas Removed from Hillsborough ETJ12 Current Zoning Map Proposed Zoning Map N 1 in= 1,320 feet 0 500 Feet Orange County Planning and Inspections Brian Carson (612/2014) 2 v wFST —I < � y'< NOO.D RD L� f 2 E' — WADE P CATES VIRGO \� RD -� w�sry! r! %t 19G/ F 2 IPA Item 6 -m - Corrected Revised _ Attachment 1 Attachment 1 June 17, 2014 BOCC Agenda NOTICE OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD A joint public hearing will be held at the Whiffed Building, 300 West Tryon Street, 2 "d Floor, Hillsborough, North Carolina, on Monday, September 8, 2014 at 7:00 PM for the purpose of giving all interested residents an opportunity to speak for or against the following items: 2030 Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendments and Zoning Atlas Amendments: The purpose of these amendments is to establish two new zoning overlay districts in the Efland area in Cheeks Township. These proposed actions are measures to implement some of the recommendations contained in the adopted Efland- Mebane Small Area Plan. These proposed amendments were heard at the February 24, 2014 quarterly public hearing where the hearing was continued until September 8, 2014 to allow time for County staff to meet with interested persons to-address any remaining concerns. The February hearing materials are available on -line at: http:// orangecountync .gov /occlerks /140224.pdf. To date, no changes to the proposed amendments have been made from the amendments presented at the February 24, 2014 quarterly public hearing. A map depicting the proposed overlay districts and other written information is available on the Planning Department's website at: http: / /orangecountync.gov /planning/ includes/ ProposedEflandZoningOverlayDistri ct.asp The general geographic extent of the proposed "Efland Village Overlay District" is the railroad tracks that run through Efland to slightly north of U.S. Highway 70 with west -east boundaries of the Harding Road area and Gym Road. The general geographic extent of the proposed "Efland Interstate Overlay District" is the railroad tracks that run through Efland to Interstate 40/85 with west -east boundaries of a line between Gaines Chapel Road and Center Street and the U.S. 70 Connector. Single- family residential uses are not subject to the proposed overlay districts. The purpose of the zoning overlay districts is to encourage high quality growth in the geographic area covered by the overlay districts while protecting existing development and community character. Alternative development regulations are necessary to reflect the reality of smaller sized lots served by water and sewer systems while ensuring that good planning practices related to site design, transportation, and architecture /design are achieved. Purpose: To continue review and public comment on the proposed text and zoning atlas amendments. 2. Application for a Class A Special Use Permit: In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.7 Special Use Permits and Section 5.9.6 of the Orange County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Sunlight Partners LLC, SunDurance Energy, and Shelia Bishop, Michael Bishop, and Annie Nunn have submitted a Class A Special Use Permit application seeking to develop a solar array /public utility station on two parcels of property, totaling approximately 50 acres in area, off of Mt. Sinai Road near Cascade Drive in Chapel Hill Township. Sunlight Partners LLC intends to lease the parcels, with Parcel Identification Numbers (PIN) of 9881 -38 -8874 and 9881 -49 -3072, to develop a 5 megawatt facility involving the erection of individual solar arrays. The properties in question are zoned Rural Buffer (RB) and are located within the Rural Buffer land use category as denoted on the Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive Plan and the Rural Designated Area as denoted on the Growth Management System Map. This item was heard at the May 27, 2014 quarterly public hearing where the public hearing was continued to September 8, 2014. Purpose: To continue review and testimony on the application 3. 2030 Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendment: In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3 Comprehensive Plan Amendments of the Unified Development Ordinance, the Board of County Commissioners has initiated an amendment to the Future Land Use Map located within Chapter 5: Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Through a previous joint planning process with Orange County, the Town of Hillsborough identified an Urban Service Area outside of which municipal services, such as public water or sewer, will not be provided unless for reasons of public health, safety, and general welfare. To establish consistency with the Town's Urban Service Area, the Town is adjusting its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction or "ETJ" boundary to exclude any properties located outside of its Urban Service Area. ETJ is an area outside of the Town's corporate limits over which the Town exercises its zoning and planning authority. The purpose of this County Future Land Use Map amendment is to assign County land use classifications to properties that are to be removed from the Town of Hillsborough ETJ, which it approved to become effective October 1, 2014. The proposed Future Land Use Map amendments comprise approximately 490 -acres located generally near the Eno River between US 70 W and 1- 8511 -40 in Cheeks and Hillsborough Townships. Properties are to be classified to County Land Use Classifications, which in these cases include: Agricultural Residential and Public Interest District (portions to include Watershed Protection Overlay Districts). The Parcel Identification Numbers (PIN) of the twenty -two parcels included in this amendment are: 9864212218 9864294255 9864165305 9854989358 9864111534 9864012864 9864175152 9864135926 9864015589 9864074274 9864210925 9864111926 9864122219 9864028637 9864312586 9864155705 9864124872 9864138329 9864319480 9864224688 9864069297 9854980353 A map depicting the proposed land use classifications is available on the Planning Department's website at: [will be added prior to publication] Purpose: To review the item and receive public comment on the proposed Future Land Use Map amendment. 4. Zoning Atlas Amendment: In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 Zoning Atlas and Unified Development Ordinance Amendments of the Unified Development Ordinance, the Board of County Commissioners has initiated an amendment to the Zoning Atlas. This amendment is companion to the Future Land Use Map Amendment in #3 above and is to assign County zoning districts to properties that are to be removed from the Town of Hillsborough ETJ, which it approved to become effective October 1, 2014. Through a previous joint planning process with Orange County, the Town of Hillsborough identified an Urban Service Area outside of which municipal services, such as public water or sewer, will not be provided unless for reasons of public health, safety, and general welfare. To establish consistency with the Town's Urban Service Area, the Town is adjusting its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction or "ETJ" boundary to exclude any properties located outside of its Urban Service Area. ETJ is an area outside of the Town's corporate limits over which the Town exercises its zoning and planning authority. The proposed Zoning Atlas amendment comprises approximately 490 -acres located generally near the Eno River between US 70 W and 1- 85/1 -40 in Cheeks and Hillsborough Townships. Properties are to be zoned to County zoning districts, which in these cases include: Agricultural Residential (AR) and Public Interest District (PID) (portions to include Watershed Protection Overlay Districts and Special Flood Hazard Area). The Parcel Identification Numbers (PIN) of the twenty -two parcels included in this amendment are: 9864212218 9864294255 9864165305 9854989358 9864111534 9864012864 9864175152 9864135926 9864015589 9864074274 9864210925 9864111926 9864122219 9864028637 9864312586 9864155705 9864124872 9864138329 9864319480 9864224688 9864069297 19854980353 A map depicting the proposed zoning districts is available on the Planning Department's website at: [will be added prior to publication] Pur ose: To review the item and receive public comment on the Zoning Atlas amendment. 5. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendment:. In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 Zoning Atlas and Unified Development Ordinance Amendments of the Unified Development Ordinance, the Planning Director has initiated amendments to the text of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The purpose of the amendments is to require that a neighborhood information meeting be held at least 30 days prior to the public hearing regarding applications for a Class A or Class B Special Use Permit. The following Sections of the UDO are proposed for amendment: 2.7, 2.9.1, 2.9.2, and 5.10. The purpose of the neighborhood information meeting is to inform surrounding property owners of the special use permit application. The proposed timeframe prior to the public hearing will allow interested persons more time to develop expert witnesses, objective testimony, and substantial evidence, all of which are requirements of the quasi-judicial nature of special use permits. The existing statutory requirement for notice of a public hearing is at least 10 calendar days but not more than 25 days. However, Orange County's UDO requires a minimum of 15 days notice for special use permit applications. Neither the statutory requirement nor the local ordinance is proposed for amendment and two notices will be provided for special use permit applications (one for the neighborhood information meetings and one for the public hearing). Purpose: To review the item and receive public comment on the proposed amendments. 6. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Text Amendment: In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 Zoning Atlas and Unified Development Ordinance Amendments of the Unified Development Ordinance, the Planning Director has initiated amendments to the text of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The purpose of the amendments is to change the existing public hearing process for Comprehensive Plan -, UDO -, and Zoning Atlas- related items /amendments. The following Sections are proposed for amendments: 2.1, 2.3, 2.7, 2.8, 5.10.2. The proposed amendments would replace the existing joint Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) /Planning Board quarterly public hearings regarding land use and planning matters and include the scope, conduct, and administration of public hearings. This item was on the February 24, 2014 and May 27, 2014 quarterly public hearing agendas but was postponed due to time constraints. Purpose: To review the item and receive public comment on the proposed amendments. Substantial changes in items presented at the public hearing may be made following the receipt of comments made at the public hearing. Accommodations for individuals with physical disabilities can be provided if the request is made to the Planning Director at least 48 hours prior to the Public Hearing by calling one of the phone numbers below. The full text of the public hearing items may be obtained no later than August 29, 2014 at the County website www.orangecountync.gov at the Meeting Agendas link (http: / /oran.qecountync .qov /OCCLERKS /agenmenu.asp). Questions regarding the proposals may be directed to the Orange County Planning Department located on the second floor of the County Office Building at 131 West Margaret Lane, Suite 201, Hillsborough, North Carolina. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5 :00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may also call (919) 245 -2575 or 245 -2585 and you will be directed to a staff member who will answer your questions or you may e- mail questions to planningdepta- orangecountync .qov. PUBLISH: The Herald Sun News of Orange August 27, 2014 August 27, 2014 September 3, 2014 September 3, 2014