HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-06-1994-IX-D 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date:June 6. 1994
Agenda Abstract
Item # —b
SUBJECT: SUSTAINABLE COMMUNPI'IES PRINCIPLES
DEPARTMENT- Planning PUBLIC HEARING: Yes X No
ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT:
Draft Policy Statement Planning Director X2592
Draft 5/23/94 Public Hearing Minutes
PHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Mebane 227-2031
Durham 688-7331
Chapel Hill 967-9251
PURPOSE: To consider a proposed policy outlining sustainable community principles which
could be used to evaluate local programs and policies.
BACKGROUND: A sustainable community is one which uses and protects its human and natural
resources to meet the current needs while insuring that enhanced community
assets are available for future generations. It seeks improved public health, an
informed citizenry, and a better quality of life for all of its residents while
promoting efficiency, conservation, pollution prevention, and developing local
resources to strengthen the local economy.
Nationally, the concept of sustainability has been advanced by several recent
developments.The idea has become the focus of the National Commission on the
Environment, and it was highlighted by Vice President Albert Gore in his book,
Earth in the Balance. In communities across the country, information networks
have been formed to promote the concept. Planning and design professions have
also given attention to the subject,as evidenced by the growing number of articles
and books on various perspectives of sustainability.
In March of this year,Commissioner Don Willhoit presented a report to the Board
of Commissioners on the concept of sustainable development and its application
to Orange County. His presentation was based on his attendance at a National
Association of Counties (NACo) Conference in Washington, D.C.
NACo has established a sustainable development task force and will be developing
model programs for counties to consider.However,until more definitive programs
are available through NACo or the Shaping Orange County's Future Steering
Committee,Commissioner Willhoit suggested that the Board consider adoption of
a policy statement with emphasis on a"Sustainable Community"rather than just
development.
2
The proposed policy statement could serve as a fundamental organizing concept
against which to evaluate proposed programs and policies in the areas of land use
planning, environmental protection, economic development, housing,
transportation, solid waste management, health and social services, and public
safety. Proposed programs and policies could, in turn, include proposed actions
and strategies such as the following.
* Acknowledge environmental constraints so as to live within physical and
biological limits.
* Reduce the exposure of people and property to natural hazards.
* Reduce air and water pollution and the consumption of nonrenewable
resources.
* Promote a sense of place by preserving cultural resources and maintaining
a visually pleasing community.
* Promote safety through land use patterns and community strategies that
lessen opportunities for crime.
* Share a concern and provide equal opportunity for all citizens.
* Seek to eradicate poverty and insure a dignified life for all residents.
* Strive to create spatial patterns and living environments in which all
individuals and groups are treated fairly.
* Provide housing opportunities for all residents.
* Include planning processes and decision structures that encourage public
participation and the involvement of a variety of community groups.
At the May 23, 1994 public hearing, the Board of Commissioners asked that the
draft policy statement be placed on this agenda for consideration for adoption.The
Board also indicated that, if adopted, the policy could be referred to various
advisory boards,agencies,and departments for implementation recommendations.
RECOMMENDATION: As the Board decides.
3
PROPOSED POLICY - BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS POLICY MANUAL
MEETING DATE: NUMBER:
EFFECTIVE DATE: REVISIONS:
POLICY: Toward a Sustainable Community
Orange County is committed to the concept of a sustainable community.A sustainable community uses and
protects its human and natural resources to meet the current needs while insuring that enhanced
community assets are available for future generations. It seeks improved public health, an informed
citizenry, and a better quality of life for all of its residents while promoting efficiency, conservation,
pollution prevention, and developing local resources to strengthen the local economy.
Sustainable Community Principles
Sustainability is a fundamental organizing concept against which to evaluate proposed programs and
policies in the areas of land use planning, environmental protection, economic development, housing,
transportation, solid waste management,health and social services,and public safety. Such programs and
policies should therefore be prepared in a manner which addresses the following principles of sustainability
Interdependence: Integrate long-term economic, environmental, and social considerations into all
decisions to reflect their inherent interdependence.
Partnership: Invite cooperation and unify efforts between governments, business,
environmentalists, non-profit organizations, citizens, and others to address
interdependence.
Stewardship: Balance resource use and conservation between present and future generations
so that future generations are not compromised.
Diversity: Maintain diverse biological, economic, and social systems.
Prevention: Anticipate and prevent social,economic,and environmental problems rather than
attempt to solve them after the fact.
Equity: Insure all community members equal opportunities to contribute to the economy,
enjoy the environment, and participate in decisions that affect them.
Responsibility: Ask all community members to take responsibility for sustaining their community
and environment.
JLJN-01-1994 09.33 FROM ORANM CTY COM I S,S I ONERS TO PL)41N i NG P.02
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2
3 MINUTES
4 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 AND
6 ORANGE COUNTY PIANNING BOARD
7 QUARTERLY PUBLIC HEARING
8 NAY 23, 1994
9
10 The Orange County Board of Commissioners and the Orange County Planning
it Board held a quarterly public hearing on Monday, May 23, 1994 at 7:30 p.m. in f�
12 Superior Courtroom, Hillsborough, North Carolina.
13
14 19MR 01 COOM LOIOt2SBZCNZRB P'BESINT: Chair Moses Carey, and a
15 Commissioner Stephen H. Halkictis, Alice M. Gordon, Verla C. Insko and bon '
16 Willhoit.
17 GRINDS COUNTY PLENEM BOARD X=BRU PREBE M: Chair William Waddell, and
18 members Virginia Boland, Margaret Brown, Paul Hoecke, Elizabeth halters, I�
19 Cherie Rosamond, Clint Surklin, Joan Jobsis and Clint Burklin
20
21 COONTi RTTOM M 32=Mt Geoffrey Gledhill (arrived at 8:30)
22 COM"T ssE" IRUML County Managar John M. Link, Jr. , Economic
23 Development Director Ted Abernathy, Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe,
24 Planning Director Marvin Collins, Planner Mary Willis, Zoning Enforcement
25 Officer Jim Hinkley and Planner Emily Cameron.
26
27
28 ®►nt
29 Chair Moses Carey welcomed everyone to the meeting and requested that
30 citizens who want to speak on an agenda item to sign the clipboard in the
31 front.
32
33 Js PUBLIC.CMEAGE }
r
34 Chair Carey read the public charge.
35 f
36
37 CKA�� Zli THE
38 Marvin Collins distributed a nev facesheet and explained that items Sal,
39 3cl and 3d2 have been removed from the agenda because they were not properly l
40 advertised as required by the Zoning Ordinance. Item 3e was removed and will I'
442 be considered in August. .
43 ELL_ XNPQi ETICM IY zn ! PERMANEW AQ=& ME IN THE
44
45
46
47
48 Z,z 'n PR=XTL28
49 Marvin Collins presented for public comments a proposed policy
50 outlining sustainable community principles Which could be used to evaluate
51 local programs and policies. In summary, a sustainable community is one which
52 uses and protects its human and natural resources to meet the current needs
Pit
JUN-01-1994 09=34 FROM ORANGE CTY COMMISSIONERS TO PLANNING P.03
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2
1 while insuring that enhanced community assets are available for future
2 generations. It seeks improved public health, an informed citizenry and a
3 better quality of life for all of its residents while promoting efficiency,
4 conservation, c
pollution prevention and developing local resources to
5 strengthen the local economy. In March of this year, Commissioner Willhoit
6 presented a report to the Board of Commissioners and asked that the Board '�J
7 consider adopting a policy statement with emphasis on a "Sustainable
8 Coamunity" rather than just development. If adopted, the proposed policy
9 statement would be incorporated into the Board of Commissioners, Policy Manul i►-
10 and applicable to all County departments and agencies.
11
12 THERE WERE NO QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OR
13 THE PLANNING BOARD.
14
15 CITIZEN COMMENTS
16 Melva Okun spoke in support of sustainable communities. She stated that
17 there are different concerns in different parts of Orange County and it is
18 important that people work together toward a cowman goal. She noted that many
19 areas are coming together as a region to work toward a regional effort. She
20 thanked the Board for their interest in this issue which she feels will make
21 this a better county for everyone. Although she has no changes to suggest to
22 the policy, she encourages the County to solicit feedback from all the people j
23 because there is a need for as much connunication as possible.
24 Christopher Cooke spoke in support of including this policy in the Board
25 of County Commissionersf Policy Manual. He lives in Cheeks Township and works
26 at the School of Public Health at UNC at Chapel Hill. He said that it seems ;
27 that the consideration of. these principles have a lot to do with the future
28 of Orange County which is focused on development -- how such, where and at
29 what cost. He feels that approving these principles will provide guidance for
30 development and maintain the quality of life now enjoyed in orange County.
31
32 =SO= OF THE .BOARD
33 There was a consensus of the Board to put this item on the agenda for
34 June 6, 1994 for decision. Commissioner Willhoit suggested that, at that
35 time, it be referred to the Planning Board and other human service boards for '
36 adoption.
37
38
39 Is $ZSTQRIC PWWWWA'1'ZON 0RDIKU1C= 'PEZ'r TB ;
40 a. Article 4 (new) - Procedures for Reviewing Proposed Nominations rs
41 to the rational Register of Historic Places
42 Emily Cameron presented for public comments a proposed .:
43 amendment to the Historic Preservation Ordinance which would include .
44 procedures for reviewing proposed nominations to the National Register of
45 Historic Places. A new Article 4 is proposed to duplicate in the Ordinance "
46 the requirements of the Certified Local Government Agreement pertaining to the
47 review of National Register nominations by Orange County and the Division of
48 Archives and History.
49
50 THERE WERE NO QUESTIONS OR COMMM.
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