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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-24-2007-2ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 24, 2007 Action Agenda Item No. c~ SUBJECT: Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Implementation DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENTS: TDR Program Development Timeline Program Summary Program and Administrative Design Options INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 245 2592 Glenn Bowles, 245 2577 PURPOSE: To consider consultant's presentation of TDR program and administrative design options on strategic elements of the County TDR program and'to give staff and the consultant further direction regarding such. BACKGROUND: The BOCC retained The Louis Berger Group and the University of North Carolina -Charlotte Urban Institute to complete Phase III of the TDR study. The Phase III studies are a continuation of the first two phases (background data collection and feasibility), which Berger and the Urban Institute completed in the fall of 2006. Staff has continued to work with The Louis Berger Group since their contract was amended in November 2006 to include Phase III work to define specific program and administrative design issues. The Environmental Resource Conservation Department and the County Attorney have been consulted on all aspects of these issues. The consultants made an informational presentation to the Planning Board on March 7, 2007. Members of the Planning Board, Affordable Housing Advisory Board, the Agricultural Preservation Board, the Historic Preservation Commission, the Commission for the Environment, the Economic Development Commission met with the consultant and Planning staff on April 23, 2007 to review the TDR program'and administrative design options. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. If implementation occurs within the upcoming fiscal year, Planning Department staff can handle the initialization of the program, as tentatively designed. RECOMMENDATION: The County TDR staff team recommends that the Board consider the consultant's suggestions regarding TDR program and administrative design options of the County TDR program and provide. the consultant and staff direction on the issues discussed. TDR Program Development Timeline Contracting Process June 23, 2004 BOCC authorizes issuance of RFQ to professional planning consultants to develop a countywide TDR program. July 6, 2004 RFQ posted on APA national and North Carolina Chapter websites. Aug. 13, 2004 Deadline for RFQ responses. Five were received. Sept. 8-13, 2004 Interviews at the Governmental Service Center. Oct 13, 2004 Finalists (Freilich; Lehner & Carlisle/James Nicholas/J, J, & G and Louis Berger/UNC Charlotte Urban Institute) are selected and additional questions are sent. Nov. 22, 2004 BOCC selects Louis Berger/UNC Charlotte Urban Institute Mar. 2005 BOCC approves consultant contract for Phases I and II. June 23, 2005 BOCC appoints TDR Task Force. June 27, 2006. BOCC receives the consultant's TDR Feasibility Study draft report and affirms the recommendation of the TDR Task Force that the process of designing a TDR program should go forward. Sept. 19, 2006 BOCC approves contract with Louis Berger/UNC Charlotte Urban Institute to conduct Phase III of the TDR program development. Nou. 2, 2006 BOCC approves budget for Phase III of consultant contract. Dec. 19, 2006 Orange County staff give consultant formal notice to proceed with Phase III. TDR Program Development Process Phase I and Phase II were both completed in June 2006, with deliverables accepted by BOCC in October 2006. Deliverables can be found at http:/lwww.co.orange.nc.us/planning/TDR_files/index.html. . Available New to Delivered on web NC Phase 1-Background Research and Data Gathering A. Property values and market trends analysis Oct. 2006 Yes No B. Draft Feasibility Decision Flowchart .Oct. 2006 Yes No C. Public Engagement Process Plan Oct. 2006 Yes No D. Legal assessment Oct. 2006 Yes Yes E. Case studies of other TDR programs Oct. 2006 Yes Yes F. Key stakeholder interviews Oct. 2006 Yes Yes Phase II -Feasibility Study and Concept Plan A. Assess Sending Area potential Oct. 2006 Yes Yes B. Assess Receiving Area potential Oct. 2006 Yes Yes C. Determine overall economic viablity Oct. 2006 Yes Yes D. Assess issues, constraints and opportunities Oct. 2006 Yes Yes (legal, administrative, financial) E. Finalize Feasibility Decision Flowchart Oct, 2006 Yes Yes F. Identify impacts of TDR on existing county programs Oct. 2006 Yes Yes Phase III • Program Design and Implementation Plan A. Program Design Options Ongoing Not yet Yes B. Administrative Design Options Ongoing Not yet Yes C. Implementation Plan Upcoming Not yet Yes D. Ordinance Development Upcoming Not yet Yes 3 Phase III -Program ®esign and Implementation Plan ®etailed Summary Key Components TDR Goals & Objectives TDR Implementation Plan Adoption of TDR Ordinance Status Complete Ongoing Upcoming TDR Goals & Objectives Complete Worked with the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 12, 2007 to identify and prioritize the following: 1. Land Preservation Priorities: Focus on agriculturally productive land and land with environmental merit, such as stream buffers, wetlands, watershed supply areas, and natural habitat areas. 2. Growth Management Priorities: Encourage denser development where public services can be cost-effectively provided and elevate design requirements for denser development. 3. Municipal Participation: Do not rely on municipal participation but allow for it in the future. 4. State Enabling Legislation: Rely on existing local government authority to regulate land development rather than waiting for statewide TDR enabling legislation. 5. Transaction Process: Allow for administrative approval for most TDR transactions, with provision for Planning Board and/or County Commission approval for unusual or complex situations. TDR Implementation Plan Ongoing A. Program Design Options 1. Designate Strategic Rural Areas and Strategic Growth Areas Complete Map boundaries and establish participation eligibility criteria 2. Refine Economic Analysis & define TDR credit allocation formulas Ongoing Develop formulas for Strategic Rural Area credits and Strategic Growth Area density bonuses, balance formulas to create a workable market. 3. Finalize formulas and other requirements (e.g., design guidelines, etc.) Upcoming B. Administrative Design Options 1. Outline how TDR will modify existing development approval process Complete 2. Discuss with local developers the administrative and market feasibility for TDR Complete 3. Explore use of Development Agreements to streamline TDR approval process Ongoing C. Implementation Plan Ongoing D. Ordinance Development Upcoming Adoption of TDR Ordinance Upcoming Board of County Commissioners will vote following public notice and public hearing 4 Program and Administrative Design Options Each line represents a spectrum of options in designing a TDR program. The diamond represents where the preliminary Orange County program lies. Sending Area Designation (III A) few Credits Focused Area . Sending Area Credit Calculation (III A) Base Density Credits Only Receiving Area Designation (III A) Few Areas Strict Design Guidelines Receiving Area Credit Calculation (III A) Base Credits Only Interaction with Sending Area Landowner (III B) Developer Administrative Design (III B) Low Government Involvement (Free Market) Legal Authority (III B) Many Credits Broad Area Additional Credits for Farming, Natural Areas Many Areas Few Restrictions Additional Credits for Affordable Housing and LEED Certification Government High Government Involvement (TDR Bank) Use Existing Get State Enabling Ordinances and Legislation Authority Program Participation (III B) Orange County Add Municipalities County + Only Later Municipalities