HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD-2017-025 Ordinance adopting amendments to its UDO to make desired revisions to the existing public hearing process for review of UDO, Comprehensive Plan, and Zoning Atlas-related items -;L L
Ordinance # ORD-2017-025 D, 3
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
THE ORANGE COUNTY UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE
Whereas, Orange County has initiated amendments to its Unified Development Ordinance
(UDO) to make desired revisions to the existing public hearing process for review of UDO,
Comprehensive Plan, and Zoning Atlas-related items, and
Whereas, the requirements of Section 2.8 of the Unified Development Ordinance have
been deemed complete, and
Whereas, Orange County has initiated amendments to the Planning Board Policies and
Procedures, and
Whereas, the County has held the required public hearing and has found the proposed
text amendment is consistent with the goals and policies of the adopted Comprehensive
Plan.
Be it ordained by the Board of Commissioners of Orange County that the Orange County
Unified Development Ordinance is hereby amended as depicted in the attached pages.
Be it further ordained that this ordinance be placed in the book of published ordinances
and that this ordinance is effective upon adoption.
Upon motion of Commissioner A& (/ , seconded by
Commissioner the foregoing ordinance was adopted this
day of 12017.
I, Donna S. Baker, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for Orange County, DO
HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of so much of the proceedings of said
Board at a meeting held on , 2017 as relates in any way to
the adoption of the foregoing and that said proceedings are recorded in the minutes of the
said Board.
WITNESS "{ * the seal of said County, this day of
21 +
17 0
SEAL
f� ttru1� " Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE AMENDMENT PACKET NOTES:
The following packet details the proposed text amendment regarding revisions to the public
hearing process. The amendment package will modify Sections 1.6, 2.3, 2.7, 2.8, 5.10, and
10.1 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
As the number of affected pages/sections of the existing UDO are being modified with this
proposal, staff has divided the proposed amendments into the following color coded
classifications:
• Red Text: Denotes new, proposed text, that staff is suggesting be added to the UDO.
• Red StFffiIEethMugh Text: Denotes existing text that staff is proposing to delete from the
UDO.
Only those pages of the UDO impacted by the proposed modification(s) have been included
within this packet. Some text on the following pages has a large "X"through it to denote that
these sections are not part of the amendments under consideration. The text is shown only
because in the full UDO it is on the same page as text proposed for amendment or footnotes
from previous sections `spill over' onto the included page. Text with a large "X" is not proposed
for modification.
Please note that the page numbers in this amendment packet may or may not
necessarily correspond to the page numbers in the adopted UDO because adding text
may shift all of the text/sections downward.
Users are reminded that these excerpts are part of a much larger document that regulates land
use and development in Orange County. The full UDO is available online at:
http://orangecountync.gov/planning/Ordinances.asp.
Article 1: Administration
Section 1.6: Planning Board
(C) Each Township within the County shall be represented in the membership of the Board
by at least one resident.
(D) The Board of County Commissioners may by resolution establish rules related to the
requirements for volunteer service on the Planning Board, appointment and removal of
Planning Board members, and rules of procedure.
(E) In establishing the Planning Board and its program, the Board of Commissioners intends
that the Planning Board be guided by the following principle:
(1) The Comprehensive Plan, and any ordinances or other measures to effectuate it,
shall be made with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a
coordinated, and harmonious development of the County which will, in
accordance with present and future needs, best promote health, safety and the
general welfare, as well as efficiency in the process of development; including,
among other things, adequate provisions for traffic, the promotion of safety from
fire and other dangers, adequate provision for light and air, the promotion of the
healthful and convenient distribution of populations, the promotion of good civic
design, wise and efficient expenditure of public funds, and adequate provision of
public utilities, services, and other public requirements, and conservation of
significant natural and man-made resources within the County.
1.6.2 Tenure and Membership Expectations
(A) The tenure of office shall be three years. Members are eligible for reappointment for a
second consecutive full term. After two consecutive terms a member shall be ineligible
for reappointment for one year after the expiration of the previous terms.
(B) Appointments shall be made so that one-third of the terms expire in March of each
calendar year.
(C) Appointments made to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term and shall not be
counted as a term in determining eligibility for reappointment.
(D) A member whose term has expired shall continue to serve on the Board until his/her
respective successor has been appointed.
(E) Attendance at the regular meetings of the Board and at quaFteFly PUIDIOG heaFingsLublic
Hearings shall be considered a prerequisite for maintenance of membership on the
Planning Board. The Board of County Commissioners may declare a vacancy on the
Planning Board because of a member's non-attendance, in accordance with the Planning
Board Rules of Procedure.
(F) Absence due to sickness, death of an immediate family member or similar reason shall
be considered approved absences and shall not affect the member's status. In the event
of long illness or other cause for prolonged absence, the member shall be replaced.
(G) The Board of County Commissioners may by resolution establish rules related to tenure
and membership expectations. If the terms of such resolution, or policy created thereby,
conflict with the terms of this section 1.6.1 or 1.6.2 the terms of the resolution or policy
shall control.
1.6.3 Duties
As provided for in 153A-321 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, as amended, the Planning
Board shall have the following general Powers and Duties:
(A) Make studies of Orange County and surrounding areas,
(B) Determine objectives to be sought in the development of Orange County;
(C) Propose and recommend plans for achieving these objectives;
(D) Develop and recommend policies, ordinances, administrative procedures and other
means for carrying out plans in a coordinated and efficient manner;
Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 1-11
Article 2: Procedures
Section 2.3. Comprehensive Plan Amendments
2. Manner of Review
lications requiring a public hearing shall reviewed using either a legislative process or a
qua '-'udicial process as follows:
(A) prehensive Plan am dments—
legis ive
(B) Special U P its—quasi-judicial Comprehensive Application
(C) Zoning as an Unified Development Plan Submittal
Or " ance amend is—legislative Amendments
(D) Conditional Use District UD)—rezoning
portion is legislative; Specia se Permit
portion is quasi-judicial Text Future Land Use Map
(E) Conditional Zoning District (CZD) -
legislative
Post Sign /Mail Notice for
:SECTION • Planning Board Meeting
AMENDMENTS
and Public Hearing
2.3.1 Review and Approval Flow Chart
The review and approval process for Development Advisory
Comprehensive Plan Amendments is shown in the Committee Meeting
procedure's flowchart.
2.3.2 Generally Staff Recommendation to
(A) The Comprehensive Plan shall be so Planning Board
prepared that all or individual elements and
parts thereof may be adopted and/or
amended by the Board of Commissioners. Planning Board Review
(B) For the purpose of establishing and and Recommendation
maintaining sound, stable, and desirable
development within Orange County, the
Comprehensive Plan or portion thereof
shall not be amended except as follows: Publish Legal Ad
(1) Because of changed or changing (Both Amendment Types)
conditions in a particular area or
areas of the County;
(2) To correct an error or omission; or Staff and Planning Board
(3) In response to a change in the Recommendation to BOCC
policies, objectives, principles or
standards governing the physical
development of the County. 8ua#edy Public
2.3.3 Initiation of Amendments Hearing
(A) An amendment to the Comprehensive Plan
or portion thereof may be initiated by: BOCC Decision
(1) The Board of Commissioners on
its own motion;
(2) The Planning Board; Note: This chart is meant as a graphical
representation of the UDO text;the text shall take
priority in any conflict or ambiguity.
Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 2-4
Article 2: Procedures
Section 2.3: Comprehensive Plan Amendments
(3) Application, by any person or agency, which accurately and completely sets forth
the reason(s)for the proposed amendment as prescribed in Section 2.3.2(B); or
(4) The Planning Director.
(B) Once initiated, all amendments shall be referred to the Planning Board.
2.3.4 Public Hearing Required
A public hearing shall be held before adoption of any proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment.
The Board of County Commissioners shall hear applications and receive public comment for
proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments in a QaaFteFly Public Hearing.
2.3.5 Notice Requirements for Planning Board Meetings and Public Hearings
(A) The Planning Director shall provide notice of Planning Board meetings at which the
Planning Board is to review and make a recommendation on Future Land Use Map
amendments and QaaFteFly-Public Hearings at which an amendment to the Future Land
Use Map is to be reviewed. Notifications of proposed Future Land Use Map amendments
shall occur as follows:
(1) Notice of the Planning Board meeting and public hearing shall be posted on the
affected parcel or on an adjacent public right of way a minimum of ten days prior
to the Planning Board meeting. Said notice shall contain the time and location of
both the Planning Board meeting and public hearing.
(a) When multiple parcels are affected, a posting on each individual parcel is
not required, but sufficient notices shall be posted to provide reasonable
notice to interested persons.
(2) Written notice of the Planning Board meeting and public hearing shall be sent by
first-class mail to all property owners, as listed in the Orange County tax records,
whose property is affected or within one thousand feet of the affected parcel(s).
Said notice shall be mailed at least 15 days prior to the date of the Planning
Board meeting and shall include the times and locations of both the Planning
Board meeting and public hearing. The outside of the envelope or postcard shall
be marked "Notice of Public Hearing."
(B) The Planning Director shall provide public notice for any Comprehensive Plan
amendment to be heard at a QuaFteFly Public Hearing. The notice shall include the time
and location of the public hearing.
(C) For all proposed amendments, notice of the public hearing shall be given by publishing
said notice at least twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the County, stating the
time and place of such hearing and the substance of the proposed amendment.
(1) This notice shall appear in said newspaper for two consecutive weeks with the
first notice appearing not less than ten days nor more than 25 days before the
date set for the public hearing. In computing the notice period, the day of
publication is not to be included, but the day of the hearing is to be included.
(2) The minimum published size of the notice shall be 25 square inches.
2.3.6 Consideration of Amendments
(A) A proposed amendment may be considered in conjunction with a rezoning request for the
same property.
2.3.7 Application Requirements
(A) Generally
(1) All applications for amendments to the Comprehensive Plan shall be submitted
on forms supplied by the Planning Department and shall be signed.
Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 2-5
Article 2: Procedures
Section 2.3: Comprehensive Plan Amendments
(2) Three copies of the application shall be submitted to the Planning Director.
(3) Before accepting any amendment application, the Planning Director shall ensure
that it contains all required information, as specified in this Ordinance.
Applications which are not complete, or otherwise do not comply with the
provisions of this Ordinance, shall not be accepted by the Planning Director, but
shall be returned to the applicant, with a notation by the Planning Director of the
deficiencies in the application.
(B) Contents of Application
Applications for amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, without limiting the right to file
additional material, shall contain at least the following:
(1) For amendments to the Future Land Use Map within the Land Use Element, a
map at a legible scale adequately illustrating the land which would be covered by
the proposed map amendment, and a complete list of Property Identification
Numbers (PIN) for the properties;
(2) For amendments to the Comprehensive Plan text, a copy of the existing text
provision(s)which the applicant proposes for amendment, and a written
statement which describes in detail changes which the applicant proposes to
make to the text of the Comprehensive Plan and the rationale for the proposed
amendment consistent with the standards established in this Ordinance; and
(3) All other circumstances, factors and reasons which the applicant offers in support
of the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment.
2.3.8 Analysis and Recommendation
The Planning Director shall cause an analysis to be made of the application and, based upon that
analysis, prepare a recommendation for consideration by the Planning Board and the Board of
County Commissioners.
2.3.9 Planning Board Review
(A) The Planning Board shall allow public comments at its meeting and those comments
shall be taken into consideration by the Planning Board in making its recommendation.
(B) The Planning Board shall review and comment on applications and shall make one of the
following recommendations prior to the quarterly publiG heaFiPegPublic Hearing:
(1) Recommend approval,
(2) Recommend denial,
(3) Recommend approval but with specified changes.
(4) Recommend the Planning Board be given extended time to consider the matter.
(C) Should the Planning Board fail to make a recommendation prior to the q6laFteFly pub}is
heafiegPublic Hearing, the application shall be forwarded to the Board of County
Commissioners without a Planning Board recommendation.
2.3.10 Action by Board of County Commissioners
(A) The Board of County Commissioners shall hold a public hearing after the Planning Board
either makes its recommendation or takes no action on the application within 30 days of
its referral.
(B) After the Board of County Commissioners closes the public hearing, the Board of County
Commissioners shall do one of the following:
(1) defer a decision to a later Board of County Commissioners meeting date, or
(2) make a decision.
Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 2-6
Article 2: Procedures
Section 2.7: Special Use Permits
I
(2) The name(s) Special Use Application
and ' Permit Submittal
address(es) of
the owner(s) of
the property Staff Review/
involved. Analysis Begins
(3) Relevant
information
needed to
show
compliance Class B SUP: Schedule
with the NIM, DAC & Board of Class A SUP: Schedule NIM,
general and DAC, Planning Board meeting &
specific Adjustment quasi-
p judicial hearing BOCC quasi-judicial hearing
standards
governing the
Special Use
(See Articles 5 Post Sign &Mail Notice for
and 6). Post Sign &Mail Neighborhood Information
(4) For Class A Notice for Meeting (NIM) & Planning
Special Uses
Neighborhood Board meeting
26 copies of Information
the site plan, Meeting (NIM)
and for Class Neighborhood
B Special Information Meeting
Uses 10
copies of the Neighborhood
site plan, Information
prepared by a Meeting Development
Advisory
registered Committee(DAC)
North Carolina
land surveyor, Meeting
landscape Development
architect, Advisory
architect, or Committee(DAC)
engineer, Meeting Planning Board for
which shall review and
contain the recommendation
information Publish Legal Ad, Post
listed in Sign &Mail Notice for
Section 2.5. Public Hearing Publish Legal Ad, Post
(5) If the Sign &Mail Notice for
application Public Hearing
involves a
Preliminary BOA holds quasi-
Subdivision judicial hearing BOCC holds quasi-judicial
Plat, 26 copies hearing at pUblia ji
of the Plat heerin Public Hearing
prepared in
accordance Board of
with Section Adjustment
7.14 shall be decision BOCC decision
provided.
Note: This chart is meant as a graphical representation of the
UDO text;the text shall take priority in any conflict or ambiguity.
Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 2-17
Article 2: Procedures
Section 2.7: Special Use Permits
(D) The chair or presiding officer may take whatever action is necessary to limit testimony to
the presentation of new factual evidence that is material to the application, to ensure fair
and orderly proceedings, and to otherwise promote the efficient and effective gathering of
evidence. Such actions may include:
(1) Barring the presentation of obvious hearsay evidence,
(2) Barring the presentation of non-expert opinion,
(3) Interrupting digressions into immaterial testimony,
(4) Interrupting repetitive testimony,
(5) Reasonably limiting the time allotted each witness or cross-examination,
(6) Providing for the selection of spokespersons to represent groups of persons with
common interests,
(7) Interrupting personal attacks, and/or
(8) Ordering an end to disorderly conduct.
(E) Where the Board finds compliance with the general standards, specific rules governing
the specific use, and that the use complies with all required regulations and standards,
the application must be approved unless the Board shall also find, in some specific
manner, that:
(1) the use will not maintain or promote the public health, safety and general
welfare, if located where proposed and developed and operated according to the
plan as submitted.
(F) Those opposing approval of the application on the grounds that the use will not promote
the public health, safety and general welfare shall have the burden of establishing, by
competent material and substantial evidence, the specific manner in which the proposed
use does not satisfy the requirements for approval of the application for a Special Use.
2.7.9 Review and Decision
(A) For Class A Special Use Permits, the following shall apply:
(1) All applications shall be referred to the Planning Board for review and
recommendation after the Neighborhood Information Meeting but prior to the
public hearing.
(2) The Planning Board shall make a recommendation and proposed findings of fact
on the application, including the findings required in Section 5.3.2 of this
Ordinance. The Planning Board's action on an application shall be one of the
following:
(a) Recommend approval based on proposed findings of fact,
(b) Recommend denial based on proposed findings of fact,
(c) Recommend approval based on proposed findings of fact but with
specified conditions.
(3) Should the Planning Board fail to make a recommendation prior to the public
hearing, the application shall be forwarded to the Board of County
Commissioners without a Planning Board recommendation.
(4) The Board of County Commissioners shall review the application during a
meeting designated as a Quarterly Public Hearing.
(5) All evidence shall be submitted during the public hearing. If additional evidence is
requested by the Board of County Commissioners during a hearing which must
be submitted at a later date, the hearing shall be continued to a date/time certain
in order to receive the additional evidence.
Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 2-20
Article 2: Procedures
Section 2.8:Zoning Atlas and Unified Development Ordinance Amendments
(1) A copy of the Zoning Atlas and Application
existing text UDO Amendments Submittal
provision(s)
which the
applicant
proposes for
amendment,
and Zoning Atlas: Zoning Atlas: Text Amendments
(2) A written Conditional General Use
statement Districts Zoning Districts
which
describes in
detail the Post Sign /Mail Notice for
changes the Neighborhood Info. Meeting
applicant (NIM) and Planning Board
proposes to Meeting
make.
(C) The alleged error in Post Sign /Mail Notice
the Zoning Atlas
and/or Unified Neighborhood for Planning Board
Development Information Meeting Meeting
Ordinance text that
would be corrected by
the proposed
amendment with a Development Advisory
detailed explanation Committee Meeting
of such error in the
Zoning Atlas and/or
Unified Development Staff Recommendation to
text and detailed Planning Board
reasons how the
proposed amendment
will correct the
alleged error; Eand g Board Review
(D) The changed or
commend ation
changing conditions,
if any, in the area or Atlas Amendments: Text
in the County Publish Legal Ad Amendments:
generally, which Post Sign Publish Legal Ad
makes the proposed Mail Notice
Zoning Atlas and/or
Unified Development
Ordinance text Staff and PB Recommendation
amendment to BOCC
reasonably necessary
to promote the public
health, safety and QueFIeFlY Public Hearing
general welfare;
(E) The manner in which
the proposed Zoning BOCC Decision
Atlas and/or Unified
Development
Ordinance text Note: This chart is meant as a graphical representation of the
amendment will carry UDO text;the text shall take priority in any conflict or ambiguity.
out the intent and
purpose of the
Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 2-25
Article 2: Procedures
Section 2.8:Zoning Atlas and Unified Development Ordinance Amendments
adopted Comprehensive Plan or part thereof; and
(F) A traffic impact study as required by Section 6.17.
(G) For amendments to the Special Flood Hazard Area Overlay District, pertaining to a Letter
of Map Amendment:
(1) An elevation certificate with either an MT-1, MT-2, or MT-EZ(forms available
through FEMA), or
(2) A"No-Impact" analysis for a Letter of Map Revision.
(H) All other circumstances, factors and reasons that the applicant offers in support of the
proposed Zoning Atlas and/or Unified Development Ordinance text amendment.
2.8.4 Applications for Amendment—Joint Planning Area
Applications for amendments to the Orange County Unified Development Ordinance and Zoning
Atlas for the purpose of incorporating the provisions of the Chapel Hill Land Development
Ordinance(and Zoning Maps) and/or the Carrboro Land Use Ordinance(and Zoning Maps) shall
be processed as specified herein and as specified in the Joint Planning Agreement adopted
November 2, 1987, and as amended from time to time.
Any text amendments adopted by Orange County shall be adopted by reference as though fully
set forth herein. Any map amendments adopted by Orange County shall be officially denoted on
the County Zoning Atlas. Where there is inconsistency between the amendment procedures
contained herein and those contained in the Joint Planning Agreement, the provisions of the Joint
Planning Agreement shall apply.
2.8.5 Review,Analysis and Recommendation
(A) The Planning Director shall cause an analysis to be made of the application and, based
upon that analysis, prepare a recommendation for consideration by the Planning Board
and the Board of County Commissioners.
(B) Applications for agricultural support enterprise uses located within the Rural Buffer land
use classification, as depicted on the Future Land Use Map of the adopted
Comprehensive Plan, shall be forwarded to the County's Agricultural Preservation Board
for review and comment.
(1) The Agricultural Preservation Board shall have 30 calendar days to provide
comments. If comments are not received within this timeframe, the application
review process shall not be delayed.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, agricultural support enterprise uses shall be
defined as those permitted in the ASE-CZ zoning district, as detailed within
Section 5.2.3 of this Ordinance.
2.8.6 Public Hearing Required
A public hearing shall be held before adoption of any proposed Zoning Atlas Amendment and/or
text amendment to this Ordinance. The Board of County Commissioners shall hear applications
and receive public comment for Zoning Atlas amendments and/or text amendments to this
Ordinance in a QaaAeFly Public Hearing.
2.8.7 Notice Requirements for Planning Board Meetings and Public Hearings
(A) The Planning Director shall provide notification of Planning Board meetings at which the
Planning Board is to review and make a recommendation on Zoning Atlas amendments.
Notifications shall be mailed and posted for the Planning Board meeting in the same
manner as for the public hearing, as detailed in (C) and (D) below. The notice shall
include the time and location of the Planning Board meeting. The outside of the envelope
or postcard shall be marked "Notice of Planning Board Meeting."
Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 2-26
Article 2: Procedures
Section 2.8:Zoning Atlas and Unified Development Ordinance Amendments
(B) The Planning Director shall cause notice of the public hearing to review the application
and receive public comment to be published at least twice in a newspaper of general
circulation in the county, stating the time and place of the hearing and the substance of
the proposed amendment.
(1) Said notice shall appear in said newspaper for two successive weeks with the
first notice appearing not less than ten days nor more than 25 days before the
date set for the public hearing. In computing the notice period, the day of
publication is not to be included, but the day of the hearing is to be included.
(C) For amendments to the Zoning Atlas, the Planning Director shall post on the affected
property a notice of the public hearing at least ten days prior to the date of said hearing.
(D) For amendments to the Zoning Atlas, written notice shall be sent by certified mail to the
affected property owner and by first class mail to all adjacent property owners at least 15
days, but not more than 25 days, before the public hearing date. Adjacent property
owners are those whose names and addresses are currently listed in the Orange County
tax records and whose property lies within one thousand feet of the affected property.
The outside of the envelope or postcard shall be marked "Notice of Public Hearing."
(E) The Planning Director shall certify the mailing of all notices to the Board of County
Commissioners.
2.8.8 Planning Board Review
(A) The Planning Board shall allow public comments at its meeting and those comments
shall be taken into consideration by the Planning Board in making its recommendation.
(B) The Planning Board's action on an application shall be one of the following:
(1) Recommend approval,
(2) Recommend denial,
(3) Recommend approval but with specified changes, or
(4) Recommend the Planning Board be given extended time to consider the matter.
(C) In making its recommendation, the Planning Board shall also approve a statement
describing whether its action is consistent with an adopted comprehensive plan or any
other officially adopted plan that is applicable, and briefly explain why the board
considers the action taken to be reasonable and in the public interest.
(D) Should the Planning Board fail to make a recommendation prior to the quaFteFly pUbIis
hear+n�Public Hearing, the application shall be forwarded to the Board of County
Commissioners without a Planning Board recommendation.
2.8.9 Action by Board of County Commissioners
(A) The Board of County Commissioners shall hold a public hearing after the Planning Board
either makes its recommendation or takes no action on the application within 30 days of
its referral.
(B) After the Board of County Commissioners closes the public hearing, the Board of County
Commissioners shall do one of the following:
(1) defer a decision to a later Board of County Commissioners meeting date, or
(2) make a decision.
(C) In making its decision, the Board of County Commissioners shall consider adopted plans,
comments made at the public hearing, the Planning Board's recommendation, and the
Planning Director's recommendation. The Board of County Commissioners shall also
approve a statement describing whether its action is consistent with an adopted
comprehensive plan or any other officially adopted plan that is applicable, and briefly
Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 2-27
Article 5: Uses
Section 5.10: Standards for Telecommunication Facilities
5.10.2 Master Telecommunications Plan ("Plan")
(A) The Plan is intended to assist providers in their search for suitable locations to build their
service network. The County may develop the Plan (map), which would display
locations within the County's zoning jurisdiction where property owners have expressed
formal, written, interest in allowing construction of telecommunications equipment.
(B) Information that may be shown on the base Plan will include, but not limited to:
(1) Existing towers,
(2) Major transmission lines,
(3) County-defined Natural Areas,
(4) Historic properties,
(5) Scenic corridors,
(6) Known bird migratory patterns through the County,
(7) Voluntary Agricultural Districts, and
(8) Publicly-owned or quasi-public lands.
(C) In order to participate in the Plan, all owner(s), or their legally binding representatives,
shall submit an application on a form prepared by the Planning Department requesting
inclusion.
(D) All telecommunication providers who elect to construct facilities on properties in the Plan
shall provide all necessary and requested information to the County's
telecommunications consultant.
(E) Modification of the Plan may be considered annually at the first QuaAerl-Public Hearing
of the calendar year, neFmally held in FebFuaFy. Any applicant requesting modification of
the Plan shall make application to the Planning Director on or before December 1st of
each year. The fee for modifying the Plan shall be that as set forth in the Orange County
Schedule of Fees.
(F) Withdrawal from the Plan is permitted if any owner submits, to the Planning Director, a
notarized statement requesting same. Upon receipt of the request, including any fee for
modifying the Plan as set forth in the Orange County Schedule of Fees, the Planning
Director shall inform interested parties that the property has been withdrawn from
consideration. Removal of the property from the Plan shall be processed as a
modification as detailed herein.
5.10.3 Annual Telecommunications Projection Meeting (ATPM)
(A) Purpose and Outcome
(1) The purpose of the ATPM meeting is to allow for a complete review of collocation
opportunities, address coverage issues, and discuss the location of needed
telecommunication support structures with providers who intent on submitting
development applications for action by the County. The intended outcome of the
meeting is to allow the County and interested parties to develop a plan for facility
deployment within the County that provides reasonable coverage based on the
needs of the County and its residents, while minimizing the total number of
needed telecommunication support facilities, including minimizing the
intrusiveness of such facilities, and encouraging the development of a more
efficient telecommunication network.
(2) The intended outcome of the meeting is an understanding amongst the Planning
Director and providers on areas of the County where telecommunication support
facilities are needed and application request for the year should be focused.
(B) Applicability
Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-94
Article 10: Definitions
Section 10.1: Definitions
Photovoltaic (PV)
Technology that converts light directly into electricity.
Portable Building
A building not intended for residential use consisting of one or more modules constructed off the ultimate
site of use and transported to that site.
Post-FIRM
Development for which construction started on or after March 16, 1981.
Pre-FIRM
Development for which construction started before March 16, 1981.
Premises
A parcel of land with its appurtenances and buildings which, because of its unity of use, may be regarded
as a unit of real estate.
Principally Above Ground Structure
A structure whereby at least 51% of the actual cash value of the structure is located above ground.
Principal Structure
Any building or other structure occupied or used for the purpose of conducting the principal use of the
property.
Principal Use
A use which falls under one of the categories listed in the Table of Permitted Uses, which is the primary
and chief purpose for which a lot is used.
Professional Services
Establishments that specialize in performing professional, scientific, and technical activities for others.
Examples include, but are not limited to, the following: accountants, architects, attorneys, dentists,
doctors, engineers, real estate agents, and veterinarians.
Public Body
Any government or governmental agency of the Orange County, the State of North Carolina, or the
United States of America.
Public Hearing
A hearing opened at any regular meeting of either the Board of County Commissioners or the Board of
Adjustments.
Public Interest Area
Land which contains public or quasi-public uses such as state parks, research forests or known
archaeological or historical sites.
Public Safety Hazard and/or Nuisance
Anything, which is injurious to the safety or health of an Orange County neighborhood, or any
considerable number of persons, or unlawfully obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary
manner, of any navigable lake, or river, bay, stream, canal, or basin.
Public Vehicular Areas
Street in a platted subdivision which are open for vehicular traffic and have been offered for dedication to
the public and where the offer for dedication has not been accepted.
Recreation Space
Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 10-33
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANNING BOARD
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
APPROVED 11/8/2012, AMENDED 11/5/2015
PLANNING BOARD POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
SECTION I: SCOPE
A. Purpose
1. To establish a policy and procedures whereby the Orange County
Board of Commissioners will establish the specific policies and
procedures governing the Planning Board.
2. The Orange County Board of Commissioners may appoint an advisory
board whose duty is to serve in an advisory capacity to Orange County
Board of Commissioners.
B. Authority
1. North Carolina General Statute 153A-76 grants boards of county
commissioners the authority to establish advisory boards.
2. The Orange County Advisory Board Policy serves as the underlying
policy document to which the Planning Board, in addition to this policy
and procedure document, is subject. The Orange County Advisory
Board Policy is attached hereto as "Exhibit A".
3. In the event that there is a conflict between the Orange County
Advisory Board Policy and this Policies and Procedures document this
Policies and Procedures document shall control.
C. Charge
1. The charge of the Planning Board is contained in Section 1.6.3 of the
Orange County Unified Development Ordinance.
The purpose for which the Planning Board was formed: to serve in an
advisory capacity to the Orange County Board of Commissioners in
regards to planning, zoning, and subdivision matters, as provided in
Section 1.6.3 of the Orange County Unified Development Ordinance.
SECTION II: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
A. Goals
1. The Planning Board shall carry out the duties contained in Section
1.6.3 of the Orange County Unified Development Ordinance to the best
of its ability.
B. Objectives
1. Acting under the directives of the Board of County Commissioners and
with County staff, the Planning Board shall pursue the duties contained
in Section 1.6.3 of the Orange County Unified Development Ordinance.
SECTION III:MEMBERSHIP
APPROVED 11/8/2012, AMENDED 11/5/2015
A. Authority
1. North Carolina General Statute 153A-76 grants boards of county
commissioners the authority to establish advisory boards and to
appoint members to and remove members from those advisory boards.
In acting on this authority the Orange County Board of Commissioners
hereby establishes certain general conditions to which applicants and
members of advisory boards should conform.
B. Composition
1. Planning Board composition is detailed in Section 1.6.1 of the Orange
County Unified Development Ordinance. Additional membership
requirements are listed in said Section of the UDO.
2. The Planning Board does not have alternate members.
C. Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary
1. The Planning Board shall elect by majority vote a Chair and Vice Chair
from among its members at the regular meeting in January of each
year.
2. Chair and Vice Chair terms of office shall correspond to the
requirements of the Orange County Advisory Board Policy.
3. The Secretary of the Planning Board shall be the Planning Director or
his/her designee.
4. The Chair and Secretary shall ensure that each Planning Board
member is presented with a copy of the Planning Board's charge,
scope of authority, membership responsibilities, and code of conduct
when the Planning Board member is appointed to the Planning Board.
5. If requested by the Board of County Commissioners Chair, the T'#e
Planning Board Chair, or Vice Chair in the Chair's absence, shall
attend quaFtedy public hearings and Board of County Commissioners
meetings at which a decision is scheduled for items on which the
Planning Board has made a recommendation.
SECTION IV.MEETINGS
A. Staffing
1. The Planning Director shall perform the duties set forth in Section
1.6.4 of the Orange County Unified Development Ordinance.
B. Agendas
1. Items for agendas shall be approved by the Planning Board Chair and
staff.
2. The designated staff will develop and distribute to each member an
agenda listing the matters to be considered at upcoming advisory
APPROVED 11/8/2012, AMENDED 11/5/2015
board meetings. The regular meeting agenda and materials shall be
distributed at least seven (7) calendar days before the regular meeting
C. Date, Time, and Location of Regular Meetings
1. Regular Meetings of the Planning Board shall be held on the first
Wednesday of each month. The start time and location of the meeting
shall be included on the agenda and shall typically be 7:00 p.m. at the
Orange County West Campus Office Building located at 131 West
Margaret Lane, Hillsborough. The Planning Board Chair, in
consultation with staff, shall have the authority to change the start time
and location of a regular meeting to meet any special circumstances,
provided the information is included on the distributed agenda.
D. Notice of Meetings
1. Notice of regular Planning Board meetings and agendas shall be made
available to all members and interested parties, and to any person who
requests such notice, at least seven (7) days in advance of the
meeting by e-mail and by posting on the Orange County government
website.
2. Notice of public hearings shall conform to the notice requirements of
Section 2.3.6 and/or 2.8.7, as applicable, of the Orange County Unified
Development Ordinance.
3. Agenda materials for public hearings shall be distributed to Planning
Board members and posted on the Orange County government
website for interested parties a minimum of ten (10) calendar days
prior to the public hearing.
E. Qua#edy Public Hearings
1. Planning Board members shall be aF° expect°' °ncouraged to attend #ate
quaFted}L_public hearings held by the Board of County Commissioners for
items the Planninq Board has reviewed. The dates of said hearings are
RGIOGY.
F. Neighborhood Information Meetings
1. Planning Board members shall be encouraged to attend Neighborhood
Information Meetings (NIMs) for Class A Special Use Permits and
Conditional Zoning Districts. At-Large members and members
representing the Township in which a particular development project is
proposed are specifically encouraged to attend the NIM.
2. Planning Department staff shall keep Planning Board members informed
APPROVED 11/8/2012, AMENDED 11/5/2015
of upcoming Class A Special Use Permit and Conditional Zoning District
NIMs via e-mailed messages. Said e-mail messages shall be sent to
Planning Board members on the same date, or shortly after, the
notifications are mailed to adjacent property owners.
SECTION V. ORIENTATION
A. Attendance
1. Each member shall attend an orientation presented by the Orange
County Staff to familiarize the advisory board members with the
operation of County government, the Planning Department rules, and
the operating procedures of the advisory board.
2. Each voting member will be encouraged to complete the orientation
within six weeks of his or her appointment and participate in at least
one meeting with the staff.
SECTION VI.BY-LAWS
A. By-Laws
1. Any Bylaws adopted by the Planning Board are void and no further
bylaws shall be adopted. Procedure shall be governed solely by this
policy document and the General Advisory Board Policy Document.
2. Should the Planning Board determine modifications to policies and
procedures are necessary the Planning Board may petition the Board
of County Commissioners for such modifications.