HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-08-1994-IX-A +r
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ORANGECOUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date:August 8. 1994
Agenda Abstract
Item # sx_a
SUBJECT: PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS -
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HEARING: Yes X No
ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT:
May 23, 1994 Public Hearing Minutes Planning Director X2592
Proposed Text Amendments
Excerpts - BOCC 3/15/94 Agenda Material PHONE NUMBERS:
Draft 7/18/94 Planning Board Minutes Hillsborough 732-8181
Mebane 227-2031
Durham 688-7331
Chapel Hill 967-9251
PURPOSE: To consider proposed amendments to the Land Use Element and Zoning Ordinance regarding
locational criteria applicable to Economic Development Districts. The proposed amendments
were presented at public hearing on May 23, 1994.
BACKGROUND: When the Board of Commissioners approved the Economic Development District proposals on
March 2,changes or amendments to the proposals were discussed and continued to its March
15 meeting. One major policy question discussed was the locational criteria of Commercial,
Commercial-Industrial, Economic Development, and similar non-residential activity nodes.
The Board of Commissioners approved a recommendation that proposals suggested by
Commissioners Gordon and Insko be referred to the Planning Board for review with the
understanding that the Planning Board's recommendation to the Commissioners will be made
in time for the amendments to be heard at the May 23 quarterly public hearing.
At its March 21, 1994 meeting, the Planning Board referred proposed amendments to the
adopted Economic Development Districts to the Ordinance Review Committee with
instructions to provide a recommendation to the Planning Board by its April 18 meeting.
Proposed amendments were provided to the Ordinance Review Committee for
review/discussion on March 29, 1994.Subsequent to that meeting,the report of the Ordinance
Review Committee was presented to the Planning Board at its April 12 meeting.The Planning
Board's report was presented to the Board of Commissioners at its May 2, 1994 meeting.
The proposals related to clarification of the"Locational"or"Application" Criteria contained in
the Land Use Element and Zoning Ordinance, respectively, are presented as an attachment,
including the recommendations of the Ordinance Review Committee and Commissioner
Gordon.
At the public hearing, no citizens spoke concerning either the amendments proposed by the
Ordinance Review Committee or by Commissioner Gordon.
s
2 w
The Planning Board considers the proposed amendments at its July 18, 1994 meeting and
voted 9-1 to recommend approval of the amendments as recommended by the Ordinance
Review Committee. Draft Planning Board minutes are provided as an attachment.
RECOBEMENDATION: The Administration recommends approval of the proposed amendments per the
Planning Board recommendation.
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Commissioners no sooner than August 8, 1994.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
IL RKMMM3=8 RELATED TO ECONOXXC DVILOPKENT DISTRICT
a. Comprehensive Plan Map Amendments
(1) Section 3.4 - Locational Criteria (Economic Development
Activity Nodes)
b. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments
(2) Article 4.2.19 - District Statements of Intent and
Application Criteria
Marvin Collins presented for public comments additional
criteria by which to evaluate the location of Economic Development Activity
Nodes (Transition) . Page 31 of the agenda list the proposal by Commissioner
Gordon and the recommendation of the Ordinance Review Committee.
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OR THE
PLANNING BOARD
Commissioner Gordon noted that she felt these economic
development nodes should be located in areas which could be served with, water
and sewer and not in areas which are not provided these services. She would
like for the economic nodes to have the same criteria as industrial or
commercial nodes.
THERE WERE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
MOTION
A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by
Commissioner Insko to refer the proposed amendments to the Planning Board for
a recommendation to be returned to the Board of Commissioners no sooner than
August 8, 1994.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
4-t. DAMS RELRTED TO OPEN SPACE/DEVELOP MT AREA PROPOSALS
a. Comprehensive Plan Text Amendments
(1) Section 4.1 - Overview of Implementation Strategies (Land
Use Element Categories/Zoning District Matrix (Open Space
Development Zoning District) ]
b. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments
(1) Article 4.2.6 Open Space Development (OSD) District
(2) Article 4.3 Permitted Use Table (Open Space Development
District)
(3) Article 5.1.1 - Dimensional Requirements for Residential
Development (Open Space Development District)
(4) Article 6.30 - Development Standards for Open Space
Development (OSD) Districts
(5) Article 22 - Definitions (Open Space Development Area)
c. Subdivision Regulations Text Amendments
(1) Section IV-B-12 Open Space Developments
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PROPOSED ORDINANCE/PLAN AMENDMENT
ORDINANCE/PLAN.• Land Use Element - Comprehensive Plan
Zoning Ordinance
REFERENCE.- See "Existing/Proposed Ordinance/Plan Revisions" below.
ORIGIN OF AMENDMENT Staff Planning Board X_BOCC Citizen
Other.
STAFF PRIORITYRECOJEWENDATION. X High Middle Low
EXPECTED PUBLIC BTARJWG DATE.•May 23, 1994
PURPOSE.• To consider amending the adopted Economic Development District proposals to
reflect proposals recommended by members of the Board of Commissioners.
IMPACTSQSSUES: When the Board of Commissioners approved the Economic Development District
proposals on March 2, changes or amendments to the Economic Development
Districts proposals were discussed and continued to its March 15 meeting. The
discussion focused on two major policy questions.
1. Location of Commercial,Commercial-Industrial,Economic Development,
and similar non-residential activity nodes; and
2. Board of Commissioners review of economic development proposals.
The Board of Commissioners approved a recommendation that proposals
suggested by Commissioners Gordon and Insko be referred to the Planning Board
for review with the understanding that
1. The Planning Board's recommendation to the Commissioners will be
made in time for the amendments to be heard at the May 23 quarterly
public hearing; and
2. The Planning Board will consider a variety of approval options; i.e.,
Staff, Planning Board, and Commissioners.
At its March 21, 1994 meeting, the Planning Board referred proposed
amendments to the adopted Economic Development Districts to the Ordinance
Review Committee with instructions to provide a recommendation to the Planning
Board by its April 18 meeting.
Proposed amendments were provided to the Ordinance Review Committee for
review/discussion on March 29, 1994. Subsequent to that meeting, the report of
the Ordinance Review Committee was presented to the Planning Board at its
April 12 meeting.
The proposals are presented on the following pages, including all options
considered by the Ordinance Review Committee.
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EXISTING/PROPOSED ORDINANCE/PLAN REVISIONS:
PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TEXT AMENDMENTS
ASSOCIATED WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
1. Amend Section 3.4-Locational Criteria by amending the criteria by which to evaluate the location of Economic
Development Activity Nodes [Transition].
Provided on the following pages is a table summarizing the proposed changes to the adopted locational
criteria.
PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
1. Amend Article 4.2.19 - District Statements of Intent and Application Criteria [Economic Development (ED)
District] by revising it to read as follows:
Economic Development (ED) District
a. Intent
The purpose of the Economic Development(ED)District is to provide locations for a wide range of low
light industrial, distribution, flex space, office, and research service/retail uses. Flex space typically
includes one-story buildings designed,constructed,and marketed as suitable for use as offices but able
to accommodate other uses;e.g.,warehouse,showroom,manufacturing,assembly or similar operations.
Such areas have been targeted for economic development and are located adjacent to interstate and
major arterial highways. They are subject to special design criteria and performance standards used
to minimise impacts beyond the space occupied by the use.
b. Application Criteria
This district will usually be applied where the following conditions exist:
1. The district is located adjacent to a Federal Interstate Highway, with direct access to a major
arterial road.
2. The district is located outside of the Chapel Hill - Carrboro Rural Buffer area as designated
in the adopted Comprehensive Plan.
3. The district shall not be located within the critical area of a designated water supply
watershed.
OPTION#1 -RECOMMENDED BY ORD12VANCE REVIEW C0MW77EE
4. Urban services, such as water and sewer mains,are desirable, but not required if acceptable
alternatives are available.
OPTION#2-CONCEPT SUGGESTED BY COMMISSIONER GORDON
4. Urban services, such as water and sewer mains, are available or could be extended to serve
the district.
The wording in Option#1 was not added as part of the Economic Development District proposals but
existed previously as Article 4.2.19 b)6.of the Zoning Ordinance. Commissioner Gordon proposed no
new wording, so the text provided simply tracks that used in the"Public Services/Utilities"locational
standard.
COMPARISON OF PROPOSED LAND USE PLAN LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRANSITION ACTIVITY NODE
The principal differences in the proposals of Commissioner Gordon are related to whether the locational criteria of the Commercial-Industrial Activity
Node or the Economic Development Activity Node land use plan categories are used. In general, the Ordinance Review Committee recommended
retaining the criteria adopted on March 2 by the Board of Commissioners. In some instances, the Committee recommended changes to strengthen the
adopted language. Such changes are highlighted in BOLDFACE CAPITAL.
Locational Commissioner Gordon Ordinance Review Committee Recommendation
Criteria Proposal
Located on land with slopes of less than 15% grade. Where
Land Slope Located on land with slopes of less than 15% slope. slopes of 15% or greater are present, protection MUST be
provided through proper site design and construction practices.
Located outside of areas where 100-year flood-prone areas and
Hydrology Located outside of areas where 100-year flood-prone areas wetlands are present. Where flood-prone areas and wetlands
and wetlands are present. exist, protection MUST be provided through proper site design
and construction practices.
Located AWAY FROM SITES THAT WOULD, IF
DEVELOPED, CREATE A THREAT TO UNIQUE OR
Located away from sites that would, if developed, create a ENDANGERED SPECIES AS IDENTIFIED BY THE local,
Flora and Fauna threat to unique or endangered species as identified by the State or FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Wildlife habitats and
State or federal government. corridors MUST be protected through proper site design and
construction practices.
Located in areas where general soil conditions are suitable for urban development because of good drainage characteristics and
Soil Conditions load bearing capacity for site development.
Located generally in areas which are or could be reasonably and
effectively served by public services and facilities. When located
Public Services Located in areas which are or could reasonably be served by in areas where such services and facilities are not present or
and Utilities centralized public services and utilities. planned, general soil conditions must be suitable for on-site
sewage disposal systems.
Transportation Located in areas adjacent to interstate and major arterial highways, particularly those with the potential for providing access to
System public transit facilities.
Located within 10 minutes commuting time from an Urban area and designed so that business uses provided within
Energy Use developments limit the number of short distance commutes for goods and services.
Existing Land Located in designated Ten or Twenty-Year Transition Areas.
Use
Ia'
COMPARISON OF PROPOSED LAND USE PLAN LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRANSITION ACTIVITY NODE
The principal differences in the proposals of Commissioner Gordon are related to whether the locational criteria of the Commercial-Industrial Activity
Node or the Economic Development Activity Node land use plan categories are used. In general, the Ordinance Review Committee recommended
retaining the criteria adopted on March 2 by the Board of Commissioners. In some instances, the Committee recommended changes to strengthen the
adopted language. Such changes are highlighted in BOLDFACE CAPITAL.
Locational Commissioner Gordon Ordinance Review Committee Recommendation
Criteria Proposal
Located away from areas where development would have a
Agriculture and Located away from areas where development would have a detrimental impact upon productive agricultural uses and
Forestry detrimental impact upon productive agricultural uses and managed forest land. Existing landscape character MUST be
managed forest land. maintained through proper site design and construction
practices.
Population Located in areas with moderate to high population densities. Located in areas with, or planned for, moderate to high
Density population densities.
Located in areas where detrimental development impacts on
Historic and Located in areas where development would have a local, State or federally- acknowledged historic, cultural and/or
Cultural detrimental impact on State or federally-acknowledged archaeological sites, or County-designated Public Interest Areas
historic-cultural sites, or County-identified Public Interest DO not exist or ARE mitigated through proper site design and
Areas. construction practices.
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AffNOTATEa PAGPS PROM MM MARCH 1. 19Q4 BOARD OF COMKISSIONM AGENDA PACZ=.
PAGFS T MOM 16 FOLLMW BY PAGE 5
CAO-RI eS 0 dA0161PROPOSED LAND USE PLAN TM AMENDMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH
�i1 �•'�•�"'*� " ESTABLLSHbMNT
OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
K, L Amend Section 3.3 - Land Use Plan Categories by changing the sable of basic and detailed land
use categories to read as follows:
i
ASTC r.=Br ORANGE COUNT'LAND VSZ pLM CtTEGn�rn�c
DEVELOPED Urban
Esisdng Urban Activity Node
Proposed Urban Activity Node
TRANSITION I0-Year Transidon
20-Year Transition
Commsrdal Trmuitiat Aedvt-*X4 e
Commermal-Indvssnal Trana ian
Activity Node
Zaomwdc Daniopnimt tTr+�cdaa)
Aedvdty Node
COMfUMM Rund Community Activity Node
RURAL Rurat Buhr
Rural Residential
Agriaultural-Resid and al
Rural Neighborhood Acdvity Node
Rural Indussrial Acd&djy Node
Agricultural Areas
CONSERVATION Public Interest Area
Water Supply Wa vhed
Way
Quality Cnbcd Area
Rssou+=PnMemion Ana
Near Hope Creel►Caridor Opert Span
In addIdoo. amaod the labia of Lend Use Pian Category DesQfpd= to include a new category
mdtM Tkon=io Dardopiment Activity Node' to read ss fa0awc
Land in Transidon areas of the County which has
bit�'Ord/br eaorsantie development acdvity Wasisdng of light induveria4 distribvnon,
sPa« (75pie047 one-29a7' bulbs design*4 consvwted, and
rnatrhetad as a tablt for an m offiw but able to areommodasr odw.. &g.,cumT iou",showroom,
"uMWa=nM asaanbly or similar oPsrmions.). Such areas are located adjawa to interstwe and
major arterial lughwdD% and subjaet to special dmgn aiMn4 and paforma=standards.
2. Amend Saction 3.4 - I.oestiooal Criteria by adding criteria by which to evaluate the location of
G#50a&5 Eaaom"a Asti ity Nodes t'I?aasitionj.
PLAIN cAT=RY•WONOWC DEVEIAPuENT ACTTVZTi'NODES
/ 17RAA1=ON AREA.SI
dye• Land are as o :th 56 1 are
h site
/) �.•�/'t av
9
O wj T� Located outside of areas where 100;rearMood prone areas and wetlands are presen--:Firm
C#ANGC .:
Loo 'n areas hen detri tal Bevel ent im on I Stan �.
�sC fide Ikno d uniq don en ponies, dli tats cmd an be
r: s: n and truction CM
Cpillill'diCi..
ated wh soi itio us t r dereiopinem-beams
d T� of al stie d load cap de p�eent.
in lurk eauld asonab d e11'ecac �y
ties. oeated as w h s and '1* * s are
present or d,g must s 'table -sits w s stems.
�r�rfCJ"ra.
Locand in areas adjacent to intsrstae•and major arterial high"ays,
particularly those with the potential for providing occess to public ov sit facilities.
Am= Usr Located within 10 minutes commuting tine front an Urban: area and designed so ,Acs
business uses provided within developments limit the number of short distance commutes for goods
and service•
in ciesignand 7171 ZV72 w
Located areas re develop uld have emmert, r
import r�Cd uses ar:ags and or n the sang
C� ` 1 can Si and cans pr does.
�` where im !Deal. St
e.I of ublic
v�t
fee r/4. Insr doss can be d through sue cons practices.
Amend Sectim 3.3•Lsmd Use Gods and Dreg Parries, God ft to iadnde the following:
•Tht'foliaeoing Foasormie Development (Trantsiskut) Activity Nodes have been designated:
j •I-MISuckhorm (CH-3k and 1451US 70(ENO-2).
And sevia tips foBowing (wm,,ftg to be deleted shown in new wording shown L1
�'tll,�A�G£ J< boiillior. '
1Y4:.r.,SSAAY 6.7 JU foamuing ova in tft County are identified as appropriate for industrial uses and have
T 4o bets dsssgr:attd as Conmmereia1-Intdustria!Nodes:strand Center(CK•1J ldiles North(CK•2);
l vCoGAw Miles South (Ca.3k&w QWQ- lr and Harmon Young M-4
,4 govE
�Q�IJ%SJONS U ne Awng Ru Neighborhood Activity Nodes have ban designated:Toler's Store(CC
Villine's Store 2R-3); Walnut Greve (CG-5); Underwood': More (LR•3) Fair{eld (CK-4);
Coleman Loop(M-1);Law's Son(WO-U Adam and Eve(BH•1); Oak Grove(BR-3), and
Calvander F"a Q and Blackwood Station 4a;3 as part of the Orange Caunrfd
-[,arrbor�Jam PlamsiV Area hand Use Plans
io
P••t •f t o r�n Eitc t A�. TRA•t t �n.•► fan q tTM go ac
•tan :_� rALr&. Located avay trot 4itas teat WOUld, if
developed, ctssts a threat to un or
idaatifisd bt the stata or federal f fns as
sail CM4 1ain
. Located in artaa vtiara gsaaril soil conditions
} era suitable tac. urban uses because Of good drainage
c3:ataetaristica and load bearing capacity for site do, lopaent.
is 5arvi��=�*_�*± +*±•�. Located is asyas vhich are or could be
V reasanably mad effectively served br centralised public services
and utilities.
Z Focused an tha iIItarteetiC a of arterial
S Z and/or collector highways and entandInia -5 miles bay+oed such
a. ineerseclims or within one aile• of Ian interstste interebaage.
�. Located vithiia loss ftaJ 10 aia4te inq time
UL fs"oa as Urban area. ;..
7 i� rise III. Located within i 4 tied Tau or Twenty Year
?sansitiaa areas.
. Located av,iky from areas vs�re
2 devslopment would have a detrimental, impact on native
J agriaaltaral rise and savaged forest j Lind.
Located in areas vitas moderate to tiigh
popnlatias dse+sities. . .
V' •
• Located away :ar'ias• vbe s development
would have a 4spaet an or fed.rally
acIm vledged hlstozin-cultural sites or Coon" identified Public
.Interest areas. .. ..
Y : �+�tt �.e.�ar.a.► �i+r '� Edehe...:� a��taaw'�' ���/�� ��1L
Zf ii Cali � I�'li2iL M LI Iln* IN=
✓ t. Loaated an lard vith sIq of 1080 than let grads.
Et& MMIm N Loma" oatai" of 100-ys flood IP I areas "I
r! C�arpr w •
�llarsr•imam sl�ama• Coasted away frame sitar that vould, if
create a threat to =Lqm or gedan4rted species as
/id atitisd b► th, state-cc federal
Y . Located in areas wbam gserssl *oil conditions
era suitable tat urban uses because of good drainage
ebaraetaristies and load bearing capacity for sift development.
obite sarvic..iat{tities. Located in areas vhic& are or aeald be
reasonably and effectively seed by caa3trali:ed public services
and utilities.
focused an the ion of artarial
p F d/or collector highmye and .S silos bay she am oar within me ails of an interstate and
tbia 1000 fiat of rail lines.
11
t =4M 2M- Located within lass than a 2.0 aiasta oas■aztin,g t "
D front an Qrbaa area. J
• Located within idinrtilied Tan or Twent;y_year
Transitias asp.
14 ' Located away froze areas mare
develbrbe t would bave a detrimental impact on pr'oductivs
Wi=1tural uses and wed forest land.
Located in arses with aoda=at* to high
popalatiou dowities.
t/. teriC aid c3ii4 0 Located away M"M areas. vhers dsvelopsent
would havr a detrimental impact as state or lsdarally
acknowledged histaric-cultaral sites .or CD=M" idaatitied public
Intasvt areas.
Man • ,M
.• Laeated an land with slopes of less tbm ls% grade.
Rvd"Lmm. Located outside Of 100-tsar flood pram- areas as
identified by tae Coups of Im4nsass.
die ash 1'ayst. Loeeted away twos sits that wvald, if
devoloprd, Create a tkest to"unigUO ae paQan"Wed species as
idantifisd by the cute ae federal govermsent.
•..• Located is arses teeasa gsnsral soil conditions
are sultabls tee = cite oavgp disposal wjet�.
•����� �a.. ♦Lt{a■. Leeatei is areas drat trill not rNMirs
urban-tom ss�stioM. .
loaned as the t an of arterial
and/or collect= s miles beyond sn+rh an --
�r �••_ cos eeataetiat. .
a... Leatias is" by a arose-road that
serv%@ ar a !coal arm fee tie am a omading rural and tars
p ar eeadaims thses or aver oaiseeial os institutional
land. sere
. Located at sites wiu" rural areas .
that would not ably intrude the existing laadseaps
csasactar.
3LUM. Located in asses which Mould sarve the
surzovinding low-4maity rural and ag=iMltmsaal noqulatian, -
gawrally 1000-$000 psemonsf
..� Imated away tsar areas iftwa dWmloPsat
would hav+a a dstrimental impact an stets at ledeacally
aciauovlid"A bistosic-,cultunl sites as' County iasa►tUi d lablic
Interest areas.
12
PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH
ESTASLISFXENT OF ECONOWC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
L Amend Article 4219 • District Statements of Intent and Application Criteria (Economic Development (W)
-G District) by revising it to read as follows (wording to be deleted shown in spins-Qwwi ; new wording shown
. ,ur4 in boldface):
Economic Development(ED)District
0 A a. Intent
nt PuPPOe of the F,aonomic Development(ED)District is to provide locations*a wide range of
l+wiwsaeei�►li jht industrial,iw�.vwwai, disaR3�ar;11�s�o�'eea. and rrscath awialretail
use:
oatsfssry bedldinii da*jr. d. aonw�, and mmiatad ss ssda6k Flee n w h'Pieolly includes
aoaaavmodaae odor user;e;,wmeAoaae. 1� sue as arJfess but able to
=@ion*or amilar opondona.
A-SPIM WON 2 -am Such meat have been ftVeaed for eeioaornie daxla xwu tad are located
Gig m ia�e tad vae0or arfvial higl wW& Tfsey►we suk"W to specud desist cuwta and
imfo st ufirdr used m minimise impacts beyond de ipaes aaevrpicd by die um
b.
Applicadm Cruaia
This district will usually bit applied when the
fvkwing con&dons aast
1. "
AV M. OP deMeeftp-m"27se affs Wd is located a4acast to a Federal Inderstate Highway,
or a mgjv areal meld, and
2
The sift dfwid is located oubide Of.the Chapel Hill - Cwrbory Rural Buffer area as
dedp weed in the adopord Comprthsnsys Plaa.
an A-
3. Me wee The silt dsatriet shall not be located uithin•Mw aidcal area of a designated water
supply watershed
UAM swias,such as wader and sewer mains, art desirable, but not required if acceptable
ahvwadvts an available.
irilliw�(et
2 Amend Article 4.3-Table of Permitted Uses by deleting the list of permitted uses and providing the following
D K- notation in the ED row:
Ref iw m Ardcfs 629-Daaclopamu Starsdards for Economic Dwdgwwa(ED)Disttiete.
3. Amend Article 3.12 - Establishment of Dimendcnal Requirements (Schedule for Non-Residential
O.(�, Development) by deleting the existing standards and providing the following notation in the ED row:
ROr la Article 6.29-Da ioprnost Stmsdo-do for Fwn mio Developers W(ED)Distrfct:
13
Draft 7-18-94 Planning Board Minutes
AGENDA ITEM #10: MATTERS HEARD AT PUBLIC HEARING (5/23/94)
a. Economic Development District Locational Criteria
Presentation by Marvin Collins.
This item is to consider proposed amendments to
the Land Use Element and Zoning Ordinance
regarding locational criteria applicable to
Economic Development Districts. The proposed
amendments were presented at public hearing on
May 23, 1994 .
When the Board of Commissioners approved the
Economic Development District proposals on
March 2, changes or amendments to the proposals
were discussed and continued to its March 15
meeting. One major policy question discussed was
the locational criteria of Commercial,
Commercial-Industrial, Economic Development, and
similar non-residential activity nodes.
The Board of Commissioners approved a
recommendation that proposals suggested by
Commissioners Gordon and Insko be referred to the
Planning Board for review with the understanding
that the Planning Board's recommendation to the
Commissioners will be made in time for the
amendments to be heard at the May 23 quarterly
public hearing.
At its March 21, 1994 meeting, the Planning Board
referred proposed amendments to the adopted
Economic Development Districts to the Ordinance
Review Committee with instructions to provide a
recommendaiton to the Planning Board by its April
18 meeting.
Proposed amendments were provided to the
Ordinance Review Committee for review/discussion
on March 29, 1994. Subsequent to that meeting,
the report of the Ordinance Review Committee was
presented to the Planning Board at it's April 12
meeting. The Planning Board's report was
presented to the Board of Commissioners at its
May 2, 1994 meeting.
The proposals related to clarification of the
"Locational" or "Application" Criteria contained
in the Land Use Element and Zoning Ordinance,
along with the recommendations of the Ordinance
Review Committee and Commissioner Gordon are
14
included as attachments to these minutes on pages
. Collins noted that the Ordinance Review
Committee had strengthened the language
throughout the criteria by the use of the word
'must' instead of 'should' , and clarifying that
the criteria 'are' to be met instead of leaving
the impression that compliance is optional.
At the public hearing, no citizens spoke
concerning the proposed amendments.
The Planning Staff prepared the analysis of the
proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendments and
presented them to the Ordinance Review Committee
of the Planning Board. The proposals have been
amended as recommended by that Committee, and the
Planning Staff concurs with the changes as
recommended. The Planning Staff recommends
approval of the text amendments as proposed by
the Ordinance Review Committee.
Reid asked if Orange County has adopted standards
for alternative systems. Collins responded that
there are adopted standards for conventional as
well as alternative systems. The Environmental
Health Department would determine the size of the
system required; e.g. , the size of the septic
field, based on the projected wastewater flows
by the proposed non-residential use.
Barrows asked for clarification of the proposals
regarding flora and fauna and agriculture and
forestry. Collins responded that Commissioner
Gordon had recommended that economic development
be located away from such sites. The Ordinance
Review Committee/Staff recommendation is first
that development be located away from such
sites; however, if sites are developed where such
situations exist, they must be protected through
proper site design and construction standards.
Collins noted that 'clustering' uses was one way
of accomplishing this.
Brown asked how the district would be applied and
where. Collins responded it has been applied in
two places, I-85/Buckhorn Road and I-85/U.S. 70.
The proposed district at I-40/Old N.C. 86 was
under study by a Work Group. Brown continued,
asking if it could be applied anywhere. Collins
responded no. He stated that there were four
locations recommended for such districts by the
Target Area Advisory Group of the Economic
Development Commission. He explained the process
by which the four had been presented at public
jS
hearing and that only two districts had been
adopted. He noted that existing districts could
be expanded, but new districts would be based on
a recommendation by the Economic Development
Commission.
MOTION: Jobsis moved approval of the text
amendments as proposed by the Planning Staff and
Ordinance Review Committee. Seconded by Reid.
VOTE: 9 in favor.
1 opposed (Brown - in favor of Commissioner
Gordon's proposals rather than the ambiguousness
of the Ordinance Review Committee's proposals.
She felt Gordon's proposals are more in keeping
with the environmental concerns. She also felt
the districts should be -served by public water
and sewer) .