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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-27-2007-c2ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: August 27, 2007 Agenda Item No. C-2. SUBJECT: Comprehensive Plan Update Phase I DEPARTMENT: Planning & Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) ATTACHMENT(S): 1) Draft Goals 2) BOCC Guiding Principles 3) Meeting Notes, June 21st Advisory Boards Mtg. 4) Public Comments July 31't Open House 5) Public Comments: August 7th Public Info. Mtg. 6) Draft County Profile (Data) Element I Z I WO] :4 1TWAII 1l[Q Z tole] Z I FIT," Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor, 245-2579 Karen Markovics, Planner 11, 245-2583 PURPOSE: To receive public comment on draft goals and County Profile (Data) Element, which comprise Phase I of the 2006-2008 Comprehensive Plan Update Process. BACKGROUND: The Comprehensive Plan, is an official public document that includes analysis of existing and predicted conditions and provides guidance for future legal and policy decisions, as determined by Orange County. The updated Plan will serve to guide growth and development within the unincorporated areas of the County through the year 2030, by addressing a multitude of issues. The adopted Plan also serves as the statutory basis for many of Orange County's land use regulations as well as the application of zoning districts, as zoning must be in accordance with a comprehensive plan. On October 3, 2006, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a process for updating the County's Comprehensive Plan in two phases as follows: Phase 1, to include the development of Comprehensive Plan goals and County Profile Element, the first of eight Elements to be completed as part of the Update; and Phase 11, to include the remaining Elements that will comprise the updated Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan will include the following eight Elements: 1) County Profile; 2) Economic Development; 3) Housing; 4) Land Use; 5) Natural and Cultural Systems; 6) Recreation and Parks; 7) Services (Utilities) and Community Facilities; and 8) Transportation. a. Draft Goals During May and June 2007, the following County advisory boards and supporting staff worked to develop the draft goals for the Comprehensive Plan: Affordable Housing Advisory Board, Agricultural Preservation Board, Commission for the Environment, Economic 2 Development Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Orange Unified Transportation Board, Planning Board, and Recreation and Parks Advisory Council. Goals express an ideal future end related to the public health, safety, and/or general welfare and provide a general direction-setter. The draft goals have been developed in support of the Board of County Commissioners Comprehensive Plan Guiding Principles adopted October 21, 2004 and amended on April 24, 2007. The draft goals will guide the completion of the second phase of the Comprehensive Plan Update process and following adoption, future legal and policy decisions. Summary of steps taken to complete the draft goals: 1. March 2007 - Planning Board developed process and guidelines for Element Managers and advisory boards to complete draft goals. 2. April 2007 — Planning Board presents process and guidelines for completing draft goals to advisory boards at Joint Advisory Boards Meeting. 3. May/June 2007 — i Element Managers and advisory boards prepare draft goals for their assigned Element(s). 4. June 2007 — a. Element Managers and advisory boards submit respective draft goals to Planning Staff to merge into a composite set; b. Composite set of draft goals distributed to advisory boards; and c. June 21st Joint Advisory Boards Meeting held to review composite set of draft goals and identify relationships to BOCC Guiding Principles. 5. July/August 2007 — Conducted Open House and Public Information Meeting to collect initial public comment on draft goals. lb. Draft County Profile (Data) Element During February - June 2007, County advisory boards (listed previously under part "a. Draft* Goals") and supporting staff coordinated to develop the draft County Profile Element. Although the Planning Board and Planning Staff did play a lead role in the development of the initial draft, several revisions were made following review and input from other County departments and advisory boards. The County Profile (Data) Element is to serve as the primary reference point for basic information contained in the Comprehensive Plan. As such, it is intended to provide a convenient location for population statistics as well as key social, environmental, and economic conditions that exist within the County. The information included in the County Profile Element will be used to develop the remaining seven Elements of the Comprehensive Plan and will also serve as a resource for future planning. Summary of steDS taken to complete the draft Countv Profile Element: 1. Feb. 2007 — Planning Board reviewed draft Table of Contents. Table of Contents routed to Element Managers and then revised. 2. March 2007 —1 St draft County Profile Element presented to Planning Board and routed to Element Managers for review. 2nd 3. April 2007 — Draft County Profile Element revised and 2 draft presented to Element Lead Advisory Boards and Element Managers for review. 4. May 2007 — Comments received from Advisory Boards and addressed through 3rd draft. 5. June 2007 — 3rd draft distributed to Element Lead Advisory Boards for comment at June 21st Joint Advisory Boards Meeting. 3 6. July/August 2007 — Conducted Open House and Public Information Meeting to collect initial public comment. Important Note: It is not necessary for the BOCC to formally adopt the draft goals and County Profile Element during Phase I of the update process. It will be Planning Staffs recommendation to the BOCC next month that formal adoption not take place until after the May 2008 public hearing is held on the entire Comprehensive Plan. However, there should be some recognition from the BOCC during Phase I that the draft goals and County Profile Element are generally acceptable and should be used during Phase 11 to guide the completion of the remaining Elements of the Comprehensive Plan. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): In accordance with the approved timetable, Administration recommends referral to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned to the BOCC no sooner than September 19, 2007. The Planning Board will provide specific recommendations for any additional changes to the draft goals and County Profile Element that may be required in response to comments heard from the BOCC and/or public during the Hearing. The Planning Board will also consider comments collected at the June 21st Advisory Boards Meeting, July 31st Open House, and August 7t" Public Information Meeting. Additional changes to draft goals will be necessary to clarify a few of the goals and establish a consistent writing style among goals. Per the adopted Comprehensive Plan Update Process, the BOCC may also refer public hearing items to any of the other lead advisory boards that are involved: Affordable Housing Advisory Board, Agricultural Preservation Board, Commission for the Environment, Economic Development Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Orange Unified Transportation Board, and Recreation and Parks Advisory Council. Ell Attachment 1 The following draft goals have been developed to support the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) adopted Comprehensive Plan Guiding Principles. A notation is provided after each goal indicating its corresponding BOCC Principles. A. COUNTY PROFILE (DATA) ELEMENT (Element Lead Advisory Board: Planning Board) Overarching Goal A reliable source of basic county data and information that is updated regularly, accessible, useful, and relevant to all of the Elements of the Comprehensive Plan. (BOCC Principles 1-7) B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT (Element Lead Advisory Board: Economic Development Commission) Overarching Goal Promote viable and sustainable commercial development that contributes to both property and sales tax revenues, and enhances high-quality employment opportunities for County residents. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, and 7) Goal 1 Business Climate Form public private partnerships to create a stronger business climate. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 5, and 7) Goal 2 Infrastructure Develop infrastructure to support the desired development. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8) Goal 3 Workforce Development Establish effective systems to train and support residents and those who work in Orange County. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 7, and 8) Goal 4 Quality of Place Create partnerships that ensure the county remains a great place in which to live and work. (BOCC Principles 1-3, 7, and 8) C. HOUSING ELEMENT (Element Lead Advisory Boards: Planning Board and Affordable Housing Advisory Board) Goal 1 A wide range of types and densities of quality housing affordable to all in all parts of the County. (BOCC Principles 2, 3, 7, and 8) 07/02/07 5 Goal 2 Utilization of Universal Design Concepts in the construction and/or renovation of hOUGiOg' /BOCC Principle 7\ Goal 3 The preservation, repair, and replacement Of existing housing supply. UBOCC Principles 2, 3' 5. 7. and 8\ Goal 4 Development ordinances and incentives that promote inclusionary practices and housing OOfDOS for all iOcODO8 levels. /13[)CC Principles 2, 3. 7' and 8\ (Element Lead Advisory Board: Planning Board) Overarching Goal Coordinate the amount, location, pattern and designation of future land uses, with availability of County services and facilities sufficient to DlG8t the needs Of Orange County's population and economy consistent with other Comprehensive Plan element goals and objectives. (BOCCPrincip|eo 1-8) Goal 1 Sustainable Growth Fiscally and 8OViPJDDl8Df8UV responsible, SUSf@iO8blB QR]\Nth' consistent with the provision of adequate 88[ViC8G and facilities and a high quality Oflife. /B{}CC Principles 1-3 and 5'8\ Goal 2 Suitabilitv of Land Land uses that are appropriate to on-site environmental conditions and features, protect natural [88DU[CBS, CUltU[8l [8SOU[CeG° and community character. /BOCC Principles 1-O. and 8\ Goal 3 Management of Urban Sprawl /\ variety Of land uses coordinated within B program and pattern that limits 8D[@VV' C/n8SerVe8 community and rural Ch2[2[t8[, minimizes land use CDDfli[tG, and supported bV@D efficient and balanced transportation system. /BOCC Principles 1-6' and 8\ Goal 4 Innovative Land Development Regulation Land development regulations, guidelines, techniques and/or incentives that pO]0OUte the iOf8g[8t8d 8chieV8Dl8Df of all COOOp[8h8OGiV8 izl8D goals. (BOCC Principles 1-8) Goal 5 Natural Hazard Mitigation Life, health, and property safe from natural hazards. (BOCC Principles 2-4, and 8) R Goal 6 Land Use Process A land use planning process that is transparent, fair, open, efficient, and responsive. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 5, and 8) E. NATURAL AND CULTURAL SYSTEMS (Element Lead Advisory Boards: Agricultural Preservation Board, Commission for the Environment, and Historic Preservation Commission) Overarching Goal A sustainable balance and appreciation of natural, cultural and agricultural resources. (BOCC Principles 2-8) Goal 1 Energy conservation, sustainable use of non-polluting renewable energy resources, and efficient use of non-renewable energy resources, and clean air. (BOCC Principles 2-4, 7, and 8) Goal 2 Economic viability of agriculture, forestry and horticulture and their respective lands. (BOCC Principles 1-8) Goal 3 Infrastructure and support systems for local and regional agriculture. (BOCC Principles 2, 4, 5, and 7) Goal 4 Preservation of historic, cultural, architectural and archaeological resources, and their associated landscapes. (BOCC Principles ,l -5, and 8) Goal 5 Sustainable quality and quantity of ground and surface water resources. (BOCC Principles 2-8) Goal 6 A balanced and healthy diversity of native plant and animal populations. (BOCC Principles 1-5, and 8) Goal 7 Networks of protected natural, cultural and agricultural lands. (BOCC Principles 2, 4- 6, and 8) F. RECREATION AND PARKS ELEMENT (Element Lead Advisory Board: Recreation and Parks Advisory Council) Goal 1 Adequately address the parks and recreation needs of all citizens within the County, regardless of age, sex, race or disability. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8) 07/02/07 7 Goal 2 Create and nurture a partnership among regional recreational providers and facility owners/managers, including the appropriate co-location and sharing of school facilities, that works together to meet the County's recreation needs. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, and 8) Goal 3 Operate County recreation facilities in a way that ensures that facilities are available for the public use in a manner that is multi - generational and accessible to all County citizens at both the Countywide and community level. (BOCC Principles 1,,2, 7, and 8) Goal 4 Promote healthy lifestyles, quality of life and community building by providing a variety of affordable recreational facilities and choice of leisure activities, while responding to the changing needs and interests of County residents. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, and 8) Goal 5 Ensure that parks and recreational facilities are environmentally-responsible, and that cultural and natural resources and open space within these sites are protected. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 4-6, and 8) G. SERVICES (UTILITIES) AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES (Element Lead Advisory Board: Planning Board) Overarching Goal Growth consistent with the provision of adequate County services and facilities while managing the impacts upon the environmental infrastructure and effectively protecting the county's natural and cultural resources. (BOCC Principles 1-8) Goal 1 Public Water and Sewer Efficient provisions of public water and sewer service systems which abide by the current water and sewer services boundary agreements or future agreements to be negotiated among the county and public and private service providers and the land use plan. (BOCC Principles 1-4, 6, and 7) Goal 2 Private Groundwater and Sewer System Adequate, safe, and healthy groundwater withdrawal and wastewater disposal systems with minimal impacts upon water and land resources. (BOCC Principles 1- 6) Goal 3 Public Community Facilities a. Educational: High quality educational facilities that support our diverse and growing population and present opportunities for life-long learning. (BOCC Principles 1, 2, 7, and 8) 07/02/07 b. Library: High quality library facilities that support our diverse and growing population and present opportunities for life-long learning. '(130CC Principles 1, 2, 7, and 8) Goal 4 Stormwater Efficient and effective drainage, stormwater, floodplain management, and erosion control systems. (130CC Principles 1, 2, and 4-6) Goal 5 Solid Waste Less solid waste per capita with cost effective and environmentally responsible disposal and management. (130CC Principles 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8) Goal 6 Safety Efficient and effective public safety including; police, fire and emergency services. (130CC Principles 1-3, 6, and 7) H. TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT (Element Lead Advisory Boards: Planning Board and Orange Unified Transportation Board) Overarching Goal An efficient and balanced system that combines multiple motorized and non- motorized modes of transportation. (130CC Principles 1-3, and 7) Goal 1 Environment An efficient and integrated multi-modal transportation system that supports the environment and public health. (130CC Principles 1-3, 5, 7, and 8) Goal 2 Access and Affordability A multi-modal transportation system that is affordable, available, and accessible to all users. (130CC Principles 1-3, 7, and 8) Goal 3 Integration A multi-modal transportation system that serves existing development, supports future development, and preserves community character consistent with the county's land use plans. (BOCC Principles 1-3, 5, and 7) Goal 4 Regional Planning A regionally- integrated, multi-modal transportation planning process. (130CC Principles 1-3, and 7) 07/02/07 9 Attachment 2 Principles Adopted by the BOCC for the Comprehensive Plan Update There are eight (8) principles, adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) on October 21, 2004, for the Orange County Comprehensive Plan Update 2006-2008. Principle #3 was modified by the BOCC on April 24, 2007, and the revised principle is given below. These principles are representative of the BOCC values and are as follows (for clarification, staff has added one word as provided in italics): 1. Efficient and Fiscally Responsible Provision of Public Facilities and Services 2. Encouraging Sustainable Growth and Development 3. Encouraging Energy Efficiency, Lower Energy Consumption and the Use of Non- Polluting Renewable Energy Resources While Pror'noting Both Air Quality Protection and the Development of an Effective Transportation System 4. Natural Area Resource Preservation 5. Preservation of Rural Land Use Patterns 6. Water Resource Preservation 7. Promotion of Economic Prosperity and Diversity 8. Preservation of Community Character These eight Principles guided the development of the goals and will guide other aspects of the Comprehensive Plan Update. 10 Attachment 3 Comprehensive Plan Update 3rd Joint Advisory Boards Meeting June 21, 2007 Meeting Notes This Joint Advisory Boards Meeting was held to review the full set of draft goals generated for all eight Elements; relate draft goals to the Board of County Commissioners' eight Comprehensive Planning principles; and identify any draft goals that conflict, are redundant, or facilitate other draft goals. Comments and/or questions conveyed bV advisory board members: 1) 1 would like to see the schools as an element all on its own. The schools do take <50% of our budget. 2) Last Friday's in Hillsborough — a good place to publicize public meetings. 3) 50% of County budget goes to education — however education is not represented in Comprehensive Plan! 4) Education is 'missing' from Principles even though education is 50% of budget. 5) Questions from the floor: A sustainability office responsible for monitoring and implementation? 6) None of the Principles seem to deal with equity issues. 7) Housing Element Goal #2 "Universal Design Concepts" needs a definition. Our group does not know what it means.. 8) 1 am opposed to the use of the word "encourage" in BOCC Principle #2. It is pejorative — it encourages growth — not sustainability. I prefer "Monitor". 9) Economic Development Element — Goal 2 "Infrastructure" is vague. 10) Economic Development Element Overarching Goal Promote viable and sustainable commercial development that contributes to both property and sales tax revenues, a4qd-enhances high-quality employment opportunities for County residents, and responds to identify needs of county citizens — example: Locally Grown Healthy Foods. 11) BOCC Principle #8 What IS community character? Needs better definition. 12) Overarching Goal for Sustainability How does this plan address our need to change? How are we changing the way we live as consumers of our natural resources that will bring our consumption levels to levels that are equitable with other people living on this planet? How are we dealing with global warming, peak oil, local food systems, teaching our children to be other than voracious consumers? Farmers in our future- how do we preserve our operating farms from going out of business? When they close the cost of land and necessary equipment is prohibitive to a new farmer starting up. We need Educational Farms that teach our children the basic skills they (or anyone) will need to have to manage our farms in the future. All children can do some form of community service for example where they can help and at the same time learn about production of food. Farmers need apprentices to help farming (harvesting, planting) there is a large movement of young people 18-30 years old, who would like to live on a farm and learn. They will need housing and the kind of housing they want is off the grid, alternative to conventional methods that are not currently permitted (straw bale, rammed earth, log, local material, rock foundations). They don't buy into 30-year mortgages and the farmer can't afford that kind of housing. If the house rots back into the earth if no one lives there at some point why should there be a permit? Staff note: Although relationships were identified between and/or among goals, advisory board members identified no conflicting goals. Advisory board members also found that all draft goals related to at least one of the BOCC Guiding Principles and all Principles were addressed by multiple goals. 12 Attachment 4 Orange County Comprehensive Plan Open House Planning and Agricultural Center July 31, 2007 3:00-7:00 pm Public Comments Provided on Comment Cards I live on Saw Mill Rd. in Cedar Grove, NC. Phone: 919-### 1 have paid a total of $50.00 to have my water tested, Isn't there a way to have water tested for a community or this area? (See us on the map) Also, what would be the cost if water and sewer would be extended to the Saw-Mill area? -Hathie Vanhook- As soon as possible I recommend that the city limits, ETJ, and county planning jurisdiction map be overlaid with the Appendix A Water and Sewer Management Planning and Boundary Agreement map. I want to see where dense residential and commercial growth can be served by water and sewer within the county's jurisdiction, and which water/sewer utility will be responsible for delivering the infrastructure. -Anonymous- 13 Attachment 5 Orange County Comprehensive Plan Public Information Meeting New Hope Elementary School Auditorium August 7, 2007 7:00-9:00 pm Meetinq Notes Questions from public following staff presentation: Question 1: The word "partnership" is used in one of the goals and needs clarification, how is that word being used? What's the intent? Answer: Goals completed by several advisory boards and I am not familiar with the specific intent - that's one of the things that we are looking at today, wording that needs clarification. We are documenting all questions to be considered. Question 2: How did each element work on their draft goals? There needs to be explanation on how the goals will compliment and support each other? General background? Answer: Each of the sets of goals were worked on by the respective advisory board, then compiled and all lead boards looked at all goals to identify linkages to the principles and identify any inconsistencies. We are still working on this and asking for public input. Question 3: Will there be a timeline to show what the timeline will really be? Is the 1981 plan going to be republished? Is there a paper or something that gives you information on what you should do? Answer: Yes, the county commissioners have set the stage for this process and they have adopted this process, timeline and guiding principles. This process will result in a new document that will replace the 1981 Plan. Question 4: If you could please let the original Board know what we did right in 1981? People seem to be reinventing the wheel, did our ideas work? Answer: Staff completed a general evaluation of the 1981 plan; the planning board reviewed the evaluation and made some additions. This document is available on the website. One of the things that we used for the evaluation were public comments provided during previous outreach efforts. There is an identification of goals that have been well addressed and ones to focus more on. We had several meetings and were able to identify which goals were on people's minds. Answer (Cont.): We noticed in the original plan that there were not specific and measurable objectives. This is something we hope to improve upon during this update process. Question 5: Are there plans for Orange County inclusive of Hillsborough and surrounding areas in the process in regards to water and sewer and buffers- is this a joint planning process and are they going to be involved? Answer: In the strict sense, this is not a joint planning process, we are planning for Orange County's planning jurisdiction. However, there will be an 14 intergovernmental coordination section with each element that will be developed knowing that many of the county's goals will require that coordination. Answer (Cont.): The small area plan efforts will continue. Facilitated Discussion on Draft Goals: Facilitator asks, "What needs are being met by any one or more of the goals?"; and 'What are you concerned about, as you review the draft goals?" Public Comments: 1. Premature to say, I need to see measurability, the goals are way too broad. 2. Transportation goals are specific and moving in the right direction. 3. The Housing goals seem to meet the needs. 4. Preservation of farmland and protecting groundwater quality are areas where my needs seem to be met. 5. Transportation- the roads and their design are a problem. 6. Urban sprawl- traffic pattern problems; not enough attention to traffic. 7. Natural and cultural systems goal #5 how do you plan to do this? What concerns me is the quality not quantity and also water and sewer problems — I don't want to see any sludge application in the Upper Eno watershed. 8. Economic development may help traffic congestion. Because we don't have places for development, that creates urban sprawl and puts pressure on the rural buffer- we need sufficient size districts and we need to show what tradeoffs are involved to maintain our schools. 9. We need to have honest transparent discussions of public finance. Linkages between economic development/transportation/housing and uses not addressed. Need more equitable distribution of housing. 10. Water issues - we need to use data that is more current to determine what our capacity is and to see what growth we can sustain. 11. Reemphasize regional transportation discussions between counties to keep lines of communications open and think more broadly of jurisdictions that are involved. 12. Forming of public and private partnerships- we have a really strong Chamber of Commerce whatever we do should include them and use them in whatever way necessary to form partnerships. 15 13. Expand on economic growth to provide better tax revenue. Commercial EDD's are so strict that it will not allow economic development. Orange County has a negative image towards growth. 14.There should be a process of linking the comprehensive plan to small area planning. Timelines should sync - be very clear. Different activities, intergovernmental relations, infrastructure, should co- mingle to better exist. We should look at Intra- jurisdictional workings between small area plans and everything else. Questions following staff review of next steps: Question 1: Will the draft goals go to Public Hearing as they are now? Answer: Yes, but all comments will be included with Public Hearing materials for review. Question 2: The Planning Board will provide their recommendations and there will be staff recommendations, when will these materials be available? Answer: The Planning Board may be asked to make a recommendation at their September 6th meeting. Draft goals and County Profile Element have been on the website for several weeks. The Abstract and supporting materials for August 27th Hearing will also be posted on the County website.