The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 01-17-1995 - VIII-H ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: January 17, 1995 Agenda Abstract Item# V2:4r-fi SUBJECT: OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT DESIGN GUIDEBOOK DEPARTMENT. Planning PUBLIC HEARING: Yes—X—No ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: Draft Letter of Support Planning Director X2592 PHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 Chapel Hill 967-9251 PURPOSE: To consider approval of an approach for preparation of design guidebook for open space development. BACKGROUND: In the Fall of 1993, the Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution supporting the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Conservation&Management Plan(CCMP) of the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Study.During the course of reviewing the CCM?, the Orange County staff was struck by the consistency between the goals and objectives of the CCM_? and the adopted goals of the Board of Commissioners, particularly the promotion of local and regional planning that protects the environment and allows for economic growth. Orange County's initiatives in areas of historic preservation, farmland preservation, watershed protection, rural character/natural areas preservation, and economic development are examples of such consistency. Subsequent to the adoption of the resolution of support,the Orange County Planning Director was asked by Randall Arendt to review and comment on a draft of an open space development design guidebook prepared for the Sussex County, Delaware Conservation District. Sussex County encompasses nearly half of the small state as well as the majority of Delaware's farmland,woodlands,natural areas,beaches,dunes, and tidal estuaries. From the review of the design guidebook emerged the proposal outlined below. PROPOSAL Simply stated, the proposal suggests that the Natural Lands Trust; e.g., Randall Arendt,be employed to prepare a design guidebook for open space development using three counties as case studies in the Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed. The design guidebook thus prepared would serve as a model -for the other 34 counties in promoting local planning which protects the environment yet allows for economic growth.The design guidebook would be organized similar to the Sussex County study: I I 2 - Purpose of the Handbook - The Case Study Counties: An Inventory - Conventional vs. Open Space Designs: Comparisons & Contrasts - Advantages of Open Space Design Economic Environmental and Ecological Social and Recreational - Roles and Responsibilities of Various Parties Land Owners Developers Realtors Site Designers Planning Staffs and Commissions Governing Boards State and Federal Agencies Conservation Organizations - Designing Open Space Developments Locational Context Mapping Significant Features Integrating Information Layers Prioritizing Objectives Design Stage - Creating An Open Space Network Area-wide Maps of Conservation and Development - Open Space Designs for Three Case Study Counties - Model Ordinance Provisions - Management Techniques Conservation Easements Homeowners Associations Management Plans Liability and Tag Issues In terms of funding for the proposal, the Sussex County handbook was funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA).The APES Study was funded jointly by the N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources and EPA.A similar approach was proposed to Secretary Howes in November, 1993, with EPA funding provided to the State being used. Discussions with Randy Waite, the former APES Director,and Guy Stepanski,the current APES Director,have indicated that $20,000 has been included in the APES work plan to help fund the proposal. Additional funding is needed, and the proposal has been expanded to include the possibility of funding through Planning and Survey Grants from the N.C. State Historic Preservation Office. Other sources could include funding from the Cooperative Extension Service to rural counties involved in land use planning and/or the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The expanded proposal is unique in the sense that it seeks to link different fields of interest, environmental and historic preservation, through a common method of preserving such resources - open space or cluster design. It is also unique in that, if successful,it may have involved the cooperative efforts of three federal agencies,three state agencies, three local governments and their association, and two private non- profit organizations in working collectively to produce a document which could benefit the 34 counties located in the Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed in North Carolina and have transferability to all 100 counties in the state. 3 PROJECT OUTLINE • One study is to be prepared using three counties as case studies. Counties have been selected based on willingness to participate as well as location in the Albemarle-Pamilco Estuarine Region. Counties and the rationale for selection include: Currituck County A coastal county, located in the Currituck Sound Drainage Basin in the extreme northeast corner of the state. Craven County A coastal county, located in the Neuse River Drainage Basin on the Neuse River just before it enters the Pamlico Sound. Orange County An inland county, located in the headwaters of the Neuse River Drainage Basin in the north central portion of the state. A map depicting the major river basins and constituent counties of the Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed is provided as an attachment. • For each county, a set of site features is to be selected to illustrate how the cluster development approach would be used to preserve the features. For example, the Orange County case study could be the site of "Little Ayr Mount", ca. 1830, a Federal Style brick home located on the Eno River, a tributary of the Neuse River. In addition to its historic aspects, the site is characterized by its location in a protected watershed, an extensive flood plain, and a designated wildlife corridor. Sites with a similar combination of historic and environmental features can be selected from Currituck and Craven counties as well. • In terms of products, the following are proposed: o The study, including one copy-ready document for each of the three counties and the following agencies: -Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Study (APES) - State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) -N.C. Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) -N.C. State University Cooperative Extension Service (NCSUCES) o A floppy disc (containing the study text) for each of the three counties, APES, and SHPO. The purpose of providing one copy-ready document is to reduce the consultant's expense and allow each agency or local government to bear the cost of printing as many copies as it feels warranted. The purpose of the floppy disc is to allow each pilot county to use it to prepare a specific design guidebook for its jurisdiction, including local case studies and implementing ordinances. 4 • The start-up period would coincide generally with the 1995 Survey&Planning Grant cycle of the State Historic Preservation Office as follows: - Grant application deadline January 31, 1995 - Grant award announcements April, 1995 - Project start-up May, 1995 - Project completion deadline September 30, 1996 The consultant has indicated that commencement of the project in May 1995 is satisfactory. • In terms of project cost,the consultant has indicated that the following figures would still be valid given a May 1995 start-up date: 1 STUDY FOR 3 COUNTIES - 1 CASE STUDY PER COUNTY Item Number Unit Cost Total Cost Case Studies - Ch. 7 3 $ 6,000 $ 18,000 -W/Perspectives Text Revision 1 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 - Excludes Chapter 7 Consultant Site Visits 3 $ 1,500 $ 4,500 NCSU Assistance - Students 2 $ 1,200 $ 2,400 - Travel 2 $ 300 $ 600 TOTAL COST $ 30,500 Case studies include narrative descriptions as well as site plans and birds- eye perspectives showing the existing site, the site as developed using a conventional subdivision approach, and the site as developed using an open space or cluster design approach. An example of a birds-eye perspective is provided as an attachment. Student expenses were initially based on two N.C. State University students performing field work in Currituck and Craven counties; e.g., collecting site data, maps, etc. This option was based on discussions with faculty at the School of Design. A subsequent option was to have one student performing field work as well as GIS analysis with funding through an arrangement with the Cooperative Extension Service.Orange County staff would be responsible for all field work and GIS analysis associated with its case study. Given that project start-up will occur after the end of the Spring Semester, student expenses may be higher; e.g., summer internships in lieu of semester stipends.However, discussions with the consultant have indicated that the amount of time required to conduct necessary field work may not warrant a summer internship. 5 • In terms of project funding, the following arrangement is proposed: 0 $20,000 is available through the APES Program of the N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources. 0 The difference may be made up in part through Survey and Planning Grant funds available though the State Historic Planning Office. A total of$7,500 is to be requested through a 'Joint" grant application to be submitted by the N.C. Association of County Commissioners on behalf of the three participating counties.Orange County is a CLG or Certified Local Government for historic preservation purposes, and it would be requesting $2,500 from CLG grant funds. Currituck and Craven counties would be requesting$2,500 each from funds earmarked for non- CLG jurisdictions. 0 Additional funding may be available through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Contact has been made with that organization and two funding possibilities exist. Depending upon the amount and form of student assistance,and the availability of funds through the Cooperative Extension Service, funding from the National Trust may not be required. However, if summer internships are necessary,a grant application could be submitted for this purpose. • In terms of project administration,particularly the disbursement of funds from multiple sources,the N.C.Association of County Commissioners has indicated it would be responsible for project oversight. • The Association of County Commissioners has expressed interest in having a session at its annual convention at which the consultant and representatives from the three pilot counties and the State agencies would present the study. Similar arrangements could be made in association with historic preservation and planning conferences. (The cost of travel associated with such events is not part of the project budget and would be dealt with separately by individual organizations or agencies.) The deadline for receipt of 1995 Survey&Planning Grant Applications is January 31, 1995. Each of the three counties is being requested to submit letters of support which will be included as part of the application. RECOMMENDATION: The Administration recommends approval of the approach as outlined above. The Administration further recommends that the Chair be authorized to sign the attached letter of support for inclusion in the grant application to be submitted by the N.C. Association of County Commissioners. 6 CONTACT PERSONS - OPEN SPACE DESIGN GUIDEBOOK PROJECT Donald R. Baumgardner, Planning Director Craven County P.O. Drawer R New Bern, N.C. 28560 (919) 636-6618 Jack Simoneau, Planning Director Currituck County P.O. Box 70 Currituck, N.C. 27929 (919) 232-3055 Marvin Collins, Planning Director Donald Belk, Planner II Orange County Orange County 306F Revere Road 306F Revere Road Hillsborough, N.C. 27278 Hilsborough, N.C. 27278 (919) 732-8181 Extension 2592 (919) 732-8181 Extension 2594 Ed Regan, Assistant Executive Director N.C. Association of County Commis ioners Albert Coates Local Government Center 215 North Dawson Street' Raleigh, N.C. 27602 (919) 715-2893 Catherine McCracken, Public Policy Education Specialist N.C.S.U. Cooperative Extension Service Vernon G. James Research & Extension Center Route 2, Box 141 Plymouth, N.C. 27962 (919) 793-4428 or (919) 555-4678 (Voice Mail) Guy Stepanski Director Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Study N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources P.O. Box 27687 Raleigh, N.C. 27611 (919) 715-4084 or (919) 733-0314 Randall Arendt, Vice-President/Conservation Planning Natural Lands Trust Hildacy Farm 1031 Palmers Mill Road Media, Pennsylvania (215) 363-5687 Melinda Wall, Preservation Planner Lloyd Childers, Grants Administrator N.C. State Historic Preservation Office State Historic Preservation Office Planning& Survey Branch Survey& Planning Branch 109 East Jones Street 109 East Jones Street Raleigh, N.C. 27611 Raleigh, N.C. 27611 (919) 733-6545 (919) 733-4763 7 J ail OA RIVER BASINS OF THE ALBEWLF•PAMLJCO WA TERSHED LUIaQISLi ` f 1 • L7Ia�t J � uTr , WAN= J , 1 e �L NAM GTCW �- wA LEE muwrr z� ' CsAVZK SAMPSON � jwm- � r 1:Chman Fhw eosin ealalma 2:Pima War Basin 3:Cannock Sand&P&**mW*FiveMbemade Sound Drainapa Basin 4:Tor-Pon ft FWw&PwAw SotM Dmkupe Basin 3:Nam R w Basin and Core SMXYB*w Soul Drainepe Basic► .! .� /r♦./fib t.3 ��+ op A err'��` fllt r it I � t�r K�:� Job, 4f �•��.�♦ s Ap `„r.i. ��► y�`f lid i*i,�r. ..�4941LI�►}y. r,u♦�irik IZ*i� � IL ,,.mss"` ,r-{*.♦�*�... +ice+tom_ .� �i,a}� ;i w� s,. '% ,.,",�..`..iw�r.'f' -s'w►w.a►�{,� jI-A .. ` - k.ar.4�;tE ra �"� 'R .. :r►,..fas�"'irr "'p. «�'tro't,�si# ��1� •r+d+� i.� r pis.0 "� f{ rr iirMs;�l `r►Iriftt * �'if.. l� 7 � �+►�`+c. a ar'a ira* �'►d"xe�a�.' : i "� j ,1►� j/ i(A o c l :�k+l�M dt f ai �r nw 40w NEsr 1"p •MS � ♦ t -a(r " is VP a. �� • tyr i IPlwt f:'�R"d it Vii ±'' , � �� . rfa, �r M M,a ;_ ar♦ * ism.��t��► .cs.W6 .,. i * �` 40 I f•�t.4a. �. r �' #+f f 06 Vk **,a,_. 74w L1f F+►-^+ s � aFI�'�� IV La�.af� fry#`� i a.•,� �J t� - I4 r `•... r ^y_ ♦ -r+ fit,,, - a - �'• tjl•t F,�� f nt• Mw. \ * A• Ak r'� (a ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS P.O. Box 8181 200 S. Cameron Street 9 Hillsborough, N.C. 27278 Moses Carey,Jr. 919.732.8181 William,L Crowther D 919.968.4501 Alice M. Gordon uu u 919.688.7331 Stephen H.Halkiotis 910.227-2031 Don Willhoit (F4 919-644-3004 January 31, 1995 Ms. Lloyd Childers, Grants Administrator N.C. State Historic Preservation Office Planning& Survey Branch 109 East Jones Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 Dear Ms. Childers: RE: Survey & Planning Grant Application Open Space Development Design Guidebook At its January 17, 1995 meeting,the Board of County Commissioners authorized me to submit this letter in support for the Survey&Planning Grant Application being submitted by the N.C.Association of County Commissioners on behalf of three case study counties in the Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed.The application seeks $7,500 in grant funds to cover a portion of the costs associated with the preparation of a design guidebook for open space development using the three counties as case studies.The design guidebook thus prepared would serve as a model for the other 34 counties in promoting local planning which protects the environment yet allows for economic growth. The Board of County Commissioners feels that proposal is unique in the sense that it seeks to link different fields of interest, environmental and historic preservation, through a common method of preserving such resources-open space or cluster design.It is also unique in that it involves the cooperative efforts of federal and state agencies, local governments and their association, and private non-profit organizations to produce a document which will benefit the 34 counties located in the Albemarle-Pamlico Watershed in North Carolina and have transferability to all 100 counties in the state. Sincerely, Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners YOU COUNT IN ORANGE COUNTY.I