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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-28-2006-2ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: August 28, 2006 Agenda Item No. 2 SUBJECT: Comprehensive Plan Update Process DEPARTMENT: Planning & Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) ATTACHMENT(S): 1) Draft Comprehensive Plan Update Process 2) Excerpt from Zoning Ordinance (Includes Plan Intent and a List of Elements) 3) Comprehensive Plan Guiding Principles INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor, 245- 2579 PURPOSE: To receive a presentation from the Chair of the Planning Board on the Planning Board's recommended Draft Comprehensive Plan Update Process, to include a synthesis of any advisory board comments about the proposed process that are received in advance of this work session. BACKGROUND: At its March 21, 2006 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) requested that the Planning Board devise a process for updating the Orange County Comprehensive Plan. At the April 5`h Planning Board meeting, the Planning Board created a subgroup to develop a draft process for review and consideration by the full board. The subgroup consisted of members Jay Bryan (Chair), Brian Dobyns, Graufurd Goodwin, Michelle Kempinski, Renee Price-Saunders, and Judith Wegner. The subgroup met on April 19`h, May 17`h, June 15t, and June 29`h, At the July 12`h meeting, the Planning Board unanimously approved the document (Attachment 1) for distribution to advisory boards and to the Board of County Commissioners. It has since been distributed to the following advisory boards for their review and, if desired, comment: o Affordable Housing Advisory Board o Agricultural Preservation Board o Commission for the Environment o Economic Development Commission o Board of Health o Historic Preservation Commission o Orange Unified Transportation Board Planning Staff will summarize any comments received to be included in the Planning Board's presentation to the BOCC. The proposed Comprehensive Plan Update Process consists of two phases. Following are a few of the key steps in the Update Process: Phase I: Stage set for writing the Plan • Review previous plans and studies • Develop table of contents • Identify responsible departments and advisory boards • Define outreach methods and public participation structure • Develop process/guidelines for implementation of action strategies • Determine relationships among Comprehensive Plan and other County initiatives/projects (i.e. small area plans, Comprehensive Housing Strategy, Economic Development Commission Strategic Plan, etc) • Interpret data and draft County Profile Element • Joint advisory board meeting(s) • Draft goals and objectives • Hold 15` Public Hearing - BOCC adopts County Profile Element, Evaluation of 1981 Land Use Element/Plan, and Goals and Objectives Phase II: Individual Elements take shape, completed • Advisory boards may review various staff and advisory board reports and other pertinent documents • Advisory boards draft Elements, working independently but with Liaisons and Joint Meetings • Advisory boards determine and provide for appropriate public access and awareness • Planning Board review of draft Elements • Hold public information meeting(s) • Hold 2"d Public Hearing - BOCC adopts Plan The subgroup did not define a specific schedule for completion of the Comprehensive Plan Update Process, However, a more general 2-''/2 year timetable was discussed, Naturally, any project of this magnitude and degree of advisory board coordination will be challenging to remain on schedule, A recommendation relating to Project Management is provided below. The following attachments have been provided as additional background information: Attachment 2 - "Excerpt from Orange County Zoning Ordinance", which includes the intent of the Comprehensive Plan and a list of the Elements to be included; and Attachment 3 - "Comprehensive Plan Guiding Principles". FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this discussion, RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: • Receive the presentation regarding the Planning Board's recommended Draft Comprehensive Plan Update Process; • Canvey any required modifications to the proposed Process; • Provide ideas for a timetable; • Provide any ideas for a Project Management Role, specifically designed to maintain progress and momentum throughout the Process; and • Convey a meeting date to consider adopting the Draft Process, including a Project Management Rale and timetable. ATTACHMENT 1 0 Draft Comprehensive Plan Update Process Completed by Orange County Planning Board July 12, 2006 Phase l: 1) Develop Plan Framework and Guidelines a) Planning Staff develops Comprehensive Plan Process website for posting schedule, meeting dates, work products, BOCC principles, and any other information requested by the Planning Board b) Planning Board/Staff review status and format of existing Elements and identify advisory boards and departments and their association with Elements c) Planning Board/Staff develops opportunities for citizen knowledge, access, and participation d) Planning Board/Staff define Purpose and Scope of Comprehensive Plan e) Planning Board/Staff review sample Comprehensive Plans from other jurisdictions to develop Table of Contents and definitions for Comprehensive Plan, reflecting sections that cross Elements, as well as sections to be addressed under each Element, and ensure comprehensiveness. Links to other comprehensive plans are provided on website, f) In coordination with other departments, Planning Staff develops formatting requirements for Comprehensive Plan (i.e. font type, size, numbering scheme, etc), g) Planning Board/Staff develop guidelines for each pertinent advisory board to review the "1981 Land Use Element/Comprehensive Plan" h) Planning Board/Staff develop guidelines for each pertinent advisory board to develop its own Draft Goals and Objectives consistent with BOCC principles in a collaborative effort i) Planning Board/Staff develop Process/Guidelines for the implementation of action strategies that are included in Draft Elements, Those that involve amendments to the County's land use ordinances (Land Use Element, Zoning, Subdivision, etc,) must be channeled through the Planning Board j) Planning Board/Staff develop Process far periodic evaluation and update of completed Comprehensive Plan k) Planning Board/Staff develop process for checking in with BOCC for their review and approval 2) Draft County Profile Element a) Planning Board/Staff compile, review, and select data (e.g. demographic, socioeconomic, and agricultural) available from Planning Department, other County Depts,, and other sources b) Planning Board/Staff interpret historical data, identify trends/assumptions, and prepare projections c) Planning Board/Staff develop list of tables/charts/graphs to be included in County Profile d) Planning Staff prepares Draft County Profile Element for Planning Board review and comment, For comparison, more than one source can be used for projections (i.e. Planning Department and State of NC) and mare than one scenario can be provided (i.e. low, medium, and high growth) e) Planning Staff revise Draft County Profile Element to address Planning Board's comments 0 f) Staff and Planning Board Liaison to present Draft County Profile Element and guidelines for use to pertinent advisory boards for preliminary review in advance of upcoming joint advisory board meeting 3) a) Present Draft Purpose and Scope b) Present adapted process and schedule c) Present Draft County Profile Element for feedback d) Convey process for each advisory board to evaluate the 1981 Land Use Element/Plan (original Comprehensive Plan) e) Convey process for developing new Goals and Objectives, which will include independent work on behalf of pertinent advisory boards (a Planning Board and Planning Staff Liaison might be provided to assist each advisory board?) 4) Advisory Boards Develop Work Products - [a Planning Board and Planning Staff Liaison might be available to assist each advisory board through these steps] a) Review adopted County Principles and/or other selected documents from a provided list b) Each advisory board will be invited to summarize or reference its own existing reports and plans, which are forwarded to the Planning Staff for distribution to other advisory boards c) Each advisory board will be invited to draft or reference its evaluation of the 1981 Land Use Element/Plan (original Comprehensive Plan), comment on Draft County Profile Element, and develop new Goals and Objectives for its individual element(s) 5) ElemenUPlan, and Goals and Obiectives -Completed by Planning Staff and reviewed by Planning Board a) Advisory Boards forward work product from item 4c to Planning Board b) Planning Staff and Planning Board review submitted work product from advisory board c) Planning Staff drafts proposed composite profile element, evaluation of 1981 Land Use Element/Plan, and Goals and Objectives d) Planning Board reviews and approves draft composite profile element, evaluation of 1981 Land Use Element/Plan, and Goals and Objectives e) Planning Board invites advisory boards to joint work session to review proposed draft composite profile element, evaluation of 1981 Land Ilse Element/Plan, and Goals and Objectives f) Planning Board revises proposed draft composite profile element, evaluation of 1981 Land Use Element/Plan, and Goals and Objectives as appropriate, and develops outreach to the public g) Planning Board submits proposed draft composite profile element, evaluation of 1981 Land Use Element/Plan, and Goals and Objectives to BOCC h) BOCC accepts Planning Board's submission from item g ~J 6) 15~ Public Hearing a) Planning Board conducts outreach identified in item 5f b) BOCC holds public hearing c) BOCC adapts Draft County Profile Element, Evaluation of the 1981 Land Use Element/Plan, and Goals and Objectives d) BOCC endorses identified advisory bcards and departments associated with Elements and process/guidelines for implementation of amendments to land use ordinances (Land Use Element, Zoning, Subdivision, etc.) END OF PHASE I a) Draft Elements are prepared by the appropriate advisory boards working from adopted County Profile Element and Goals and Objectives (a Planning Board and Planning Staff Liaison might be provided to assist each advisory board) b) Advisory Boards will provide for appropriate public access and awareness using Comprehensive Plan website c) Each advisory board may review staff and advisory board reports and other pertinent documents such as Shaping Orange County's Future Report and Rural Character Study d) Each advisory board forwards their Draft Elements to the Planning Board 2) 3) -Planning Board drafts agenda with advisory boards 4) 2"d Public Hearing a) BOCC holds public hearing b) As needed, Planning Board provides recommendations to BOCC c) BOCC adopts Comprehensive Plan END OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE The fallowing are to occur after completion of Comprehensive Plan Update: Implementation: Implementation consistent with process/guidelines adopted at 1ST Public Hearing Evaluation and Update: According to process developed by the Planning Board during Phase I, Part 1 ATTACHMENT2O EXCERPT FROM ORANGE COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE *2.2.12 Comprehensive Plan, Intent 'Amended 4-4-88 The Comprehensive Plan shall constitute an internally consistent and compatible statement of policies for the long-term, physical development of that portion of Orange County under County jurisdiction, The Comprehensive Plan shall consist of a statement of development policies and shall include maps and text setting forth objectives, principles, standards and plan proposals for physical development, The Comprehensive Plan shall be comprised of the following individual elements: a) Aland use element which designates the general distribution, location, and extent of the uses of land far housing, business, industry, open space, education, public buildings and grounds, and other categories of public and private uses, b) A transportation element which identifies the general location and extent of existing and proposed major highways, scenic roads, railroads, transit routes and facilities, bikeways and pedestrian facilities, airports, and other public and private transportation facilities. c) A housing element which contains an evaluation of housing problems and sets forth a program to alleviate unmet needs, including standards and plans for the improvement of housing and the provision of adequate sites far housing, d) An open space element (Note: This Element will now be called "Natural and Cultural Systems") which identifies the location and extent of existing and proposed open space for the preservation of natural resources, the managed production of resources, outdoor recreation, and public health and safety. e) A recreation element which designates a system of areas and public sites for recreation, including parks and playgrounds, recreational trails, and other similar areas, f) An economic development element which contains an analysis of the local economy and projections of future economic activity. The economic development element may also identify existing and proposed sites for new and expanding businesses and industries, and the facilities needed to serve them, g) A services and facilities element which identifies existing and proposed service areas and improvements for water, sewer, refuse disposal, education, emergency services, and other utilities and O service facilities. h) Such additional elements dealing with other subjects which in the judgment of the Board of Commissioners relate to the physical development of the County, Such elements may include, but not be limited to, the subjects of historic preservation, community or rural design, growth management, etc. As part of the Comprehensive Plan, area plans may be prepared which focus on a portion of the County such as a township, a watershed or an interstate highway interchange, Likewise, technical information and/or task force reports prepared as part of a plan element or an area plan may be incorporated as part of the appendix of or as a supplement to the Comprehensive Plan. In preparation and adoption of a plan element, area plan or other similar document, the Board of Commissioners shall ever be mindful of the need to balance the public interest with the needs of private interests, particularly in the conservation of surface and underground water resources, soil resources, and natural growth resources of the county and the efficient use of the renewable and non-renewable sources of energy. ATTACHMENT3 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN GUIDING PRINCIPLES On October 21, 2004, following a review of 1981 Land Use Plan/Element goals and other sets of goals, the Board of County Commissioners reestablished the County's goals for the Comprehensive Plan by confirming the following Guiding Principles: • Principle A -Efficient and Fiscally Responsible Provision of Public Facilities and Services; • Principle B -Sustainable Growth and Development; • Principle C -Air Quality Protection and an Effective Transportation System; • Principle D -Natural Area Resource Preservation; • Principle E -Preservation of Rural Land Use Pattern; • Principle F -Water Resources Preservation; • Principle G -Promotion of Economic Prosperity and Diversity; and • Principle H -Preservation of Community Character.