HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-12-1995 - Item B (no abstract) MEMORANDUM
TO: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
JOHN LINK, COUNTY MANAGER
GEOFFREY GLEDHILL, COUNTY ATTORNEY
FROM: MARVIN COLLINS, PLANNING DIRECTOR f ACL
DATE: OCTOBER 10, 1995
SUBJECT: RELATIONSHIP OF THE COMMISSIONERS' GOALS TO THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING PROCESS
COPIES: CURRENT/COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING STAFF
At its September 20, 1995 meeting, the Board of Commissioners discussed draft goal
statements for FY 1995-96. As part of the discussion, the Board asked staff to provide an
explanation of how the various goals fit together into an overall comprehensive planning
process; e.g., the"big picture".
Comprehensive Plan
Article 2.2.12 of the Zoning Ordinance defines the Comprehensive Plan and its
components:
"The Comprehensive Plan shall constitute an internally consistent and compatible
statement of policies for the long-term, physical development of that portion of Orange
County under County jurisdiction. The Comprehensive Plan shall consist of a statement
of development policies and shall include maps and text setting forth objectives,
principles, standards and plan proposals for physical development. The Comprehensive
Plan shall be comprised of the following individual elements:
• A land use element which designates the general distribution, location, and extent of
the uses of land for housing, business, industry, open space, education, public
buildings and grounds, and other categories of public and private uses.
• A transportation element which identifies the general location and extent of existing
and proposed major highways, scenic roads, railroads, transit routes and facilities,
bikeways and pedestrian facilities, airports, and other public and private
transportation facilities.
• A housing element which contains an evaluation of housing problems and sets forth
a program to alleviate unmet needs, including standards and plans for the
improvement of housing and the provision of adequate sites for housing.
• An open space element which identifies the location and extent of existing and
proposed open space for the preservation of natural resources, the managed
production of resources, outdoor recreation, and public health and safety.
• A recreation element which designates a system of areas and public sites for
recreation, including parks and playgrounds, recreational trails, and other similar
areas
• An economic development element which contains an analysis of the local economy
and projections of future economic activity. The economic development element may
also identify existing and proposed sites for new and expanding businesses and
industries, and the facilities needed to serve them.
• A services and facilities element which identifies existing and proposed service areas
and improvements for water, sewer, refuse disposal, education, emergency services,
and other utilities and service facilities.
Such additional elements dealing with other subjects which in the judgment of the Board
of Commissioners relate to the physical development of the County., Such elements may
include, but not be limited to, the subjects of historic preservation, community or rural
design,growth management, etc.
As part of the Comprehensive Plan, area plans may be prepared which focus on a
portion of the County such as a township, a watershed or an interstate highway
interchange. Likewise, technical information and/or task force reports prepared as
part of a plan element or an area plan may be incorporated as part of the appendix of or
as a supplement to the Comprehensive Plan.
In preparation and adoption of a plan element, area plan or other similar document, the
Board of Commissioners shall ever be mindful of the need to balance the public interest
with the needs of private interests, particularly in the conservation of surface and
underground water resources, soil resources, and natural growth resources of the county
and the efficient use of the renewable and non-renewable sources of energy."
Commissioners' Goals
All of the Commissioners' goals are related to one or more Comprehensive Plan elements.
As shown on the attached matrix, the preparation of a Natural Areas Element, a Farmland
Preservation Element, and a Historic Preservation Element are all objectives related to the
completion of specific elements of the Comprehensive Plan. Likewise, conducting
historic/archaeological inventories, a wildlife habitat study, and the TDR report are steps
which lead the completion of these elements. Objectives such as the Stoney Creek Basin
Planning Group and the expansion of the I-85Buckhorn Road Economic Development
District are examples of area plans,while the USGS groundwater study is more typical of
a technical report.
Completion Schedule
Also provided as an attachment is a Proposed Completion Schedule for the
Commissioners' goals. The schedule includes three fiscal years and highlights "points" at
which the Commissioners' involvement for direction and/or a decision will be sought.
Public hearings have been scheduled in accordance with quarterly cycles; e.g., February,
May, August, and November. The schedule is viewed as a "guide" in that requests for
additional information and extended discussion on adopted goals, new issues, and day-to-
day activities frequently cause delays in completing objectives on time.
Staff Resources
Beginning with FY 1995-96, the Planning Staff began keeping records of the amount of
time spent on each of the Commissioners' goals and objectives. Monthly and year-to-date
reports are provided as part of the Planning Board agenda. A sample report for the month
is July is provided as an attachment.
Static vs. Dynamic Plans
A question was raised at the Commissioners' September 20 meeting as to whether a goal
such as the "Shaping Orange County's Future" initiative would result in requests to hold
up other goals and objectives until completed. A very basic reason for avoiding such
delays relates to the nature of the Comprehensive Plan. It is not a "static" plan but is
"dynamic" in that it is constantly changing. External factors such as the State's watershed
protection act cause it to be amended, and internal initiatives such as the Economic
Development Strategic Plan contribute to change through the designation of prezoned
areas for commercial/industrial purposes. In addition, the completion of natural areas and
historic site inventories lead to plan elements for preserving such resources. Technical
reports such as the University Lake Watershed Study and area plans such as that being
prepared for the Stoney Creek Basin lead to further amendments.
As elements, technical reports, and area plans are prepared, they must be consistent with
others. For example, open space design strategies can contribute to the preservation of
farmland, historic sites, and natural areas. As these elements are prepared, open space
design options must be considered in developing appropriate preservation strategies.
Likewise, a Natural Areas Element may be prepared, only to be amended with the
completion of the Wildlife Habitat Study. Furthermore,the Land Use Element may require
amendment in both instances. The same would hold true for the "Shaping Orange
County's Future"initiative. It must consider current policies and plans, but it may result in
recommendations which cause one or more elements of the Comprehensive Plan to be
amended. It should not hold up the process but be handled like any other element.
COMMISSIONERS'FY 1995-96 GOALS
Staff Time Committment
August, 1995
Hours Cost $
Goal/Objective Month I FY Month FY
cononnc Develo mentDistricts : 39 `:::94` >:>:::: :: : `;:::933<: :'` : ::`:<1964
1. I-85 .C. 86 District 4 4 84 84
2. I-85Buckhorn Road District 8 56 176 1034
3. Bound Ordinance Changes 28 34 672 846
:::Anal 's:
�I .of GrowthTm cts;:::;::,;:>:;:;. .::<::.
. :.. ..::::::..:.....:212.
1. mDact Fee tud echnical Re ort 5 5 212 212
2. Impact Assessment Spreadsheets 0 0 0 0
3. Dedicatio -I-L Provisions 0 0 0 0
::. aters h .. :..:.... :::
0:.dProte 0
1. I-85 Corridor Study 0 01 01 0
...;::.
HstoricPrese - :. >>.
_. .. . .33 46. 743.:<:; :.,1,034.
1. Historic Preservation Plan 1 24 333 539
2. Open Space Design Guidebook 16 16 341 41
3. Historic Inventory/Manuscript 3 13-1
Farinlan a :`
d.l'res a
..:..... .:...::..:.466:
1. Farmland Preservation Workshoij 9 12 197 287
2. TDR Pro osal 10 10 222 222
3. PDR Pro osal Revision 0 0 0 0
4. Farmland Preservation Element 2 2 46 46
atural.Resou:...e .; .
rce Preservation 67:::< 67
1. Resource Preservation Function 2 2 44 44
2. W-ildlife Corridor Study 1
3. atural eas Element 1 1 3 23
a
1
Sh O .a e
z n Coun s F . e . . 2 .8 ......:.<.:;>.<.. :.:.:..46..' >': ><;;;;:; > ; 185
1. All Tasks 2 81 461 185
Rural:Character:P�ceservatl on' S5 ::420:
1. Rural Buffer Conceptual Guidelines 3 5 70 116
2. Flex. DevelJOS Guidelines 27 43 773 1,143
3. Open Space Design Guidebook 26 29 578 659
"Trans
'.:752
1. TIP Process 33 39 761 921
2. Re ional Trans p. Planning Coord. 26 68 604 1,631
3. Develo went Review 0 0 0 0
4. Bikewa y Suitabilily Stuoy 45 50 1047 1 187
5. Environmental Issues Coordination 1 11 12 12
Hillsborou hCoo erative`Plannin 174 2577: ' :'3 972 6154
1. Stoney Creek Basin Small Area Plan 174 2571 3,9721 6154
Water Resources Quantit ..& Quality 48 103* 1099 374,
1. Public Information 14 42 311 960
2. Groundwater Study 10 17 232 394
3. Steering Comm./Funding Options 7 15 162 348
4. Land A RDI. Suitability Mapping 3 4 70 93
5.
Long-Range Pla na S stem/GIS 14 251 3251 580