HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-20-2006-dORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 20, 2006
Action Agenda
.Item No. D.1-D. 4
SUBJECT• Non-Public Hearing Informational Items
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
None
Craig Benedict, Planning Dir, 245-2592
INFORMATION CONTACT:
PURPOSE: To receive an update on various Planning Department tasks currently underway.
BACKGROUND: Planning Department staff is involved in a number of on-going projects and
tasks. Following is a brief. update on four items proposed for presentation at Quarterly Public
Hearings during calendar year 2007:
1. Efland-Mebane Small Area Plan (EMSAP) Implementation Focus Group Update
The EMSAP Implementation Focus Group has met three (3) times since its appointment
by the BOCC in August. The Group .has identified implementation measures to be
pursued for each of the recommendations contained in the EMSAP along with the
entities and/or groups that should be involved with each measure. The Group has also
prioritized-which implementation measures should be pursued first.
It is possible that some implementing regulations related to zoning in the EDD could be
heard at the February 2007 Quarterly Public Hearing. The Group is meeting on
November 30 to review potential zoning text and/or. map changes.
2. Proposed Changes to the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance
The Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Land Quality
Section conducted a technical audit of the Orange County Sedimentation and Erosion
(S&E) Control program in November 2005. The audit results were mailed in September
of 2006. The State has requested various revisions to the County's ordinance to match
requirements in their model ordinance.
Historical Note: The State last requested/suggested changes to Orange County's S&E
Ordinance in 1992.
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3. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments
As reported in August 2005, Planning staff has been reviewing the need to modify
existing landscaping and signage regulations to eliminate regulatory conflicts within each
individual section and attempt to make the regulations more user friendly for County
residents. The Churton Street Revitalization Plan (Town of Hillsborough and DCA two-
year project) with which the County participated creates a timely basis to bring forth
amendments to implement the enhanced signage and landscaping ideas of the plan.
Staff is prepared to present amendments to both Article Nine (9) Signs and Article
Twelve (12) Landscaping and -Buffer Requirements at the February 2007 Quarterly
Public Hearing for review by the County Board of Commissioners and Planning Board.
4. Traffic Impact Requirements
Questions have been raised regarding how and when the development review process
prompts traffic improvements (i.e. right and left turn lanes, traffic signals, etc.) Current
Orange County regulations, Article 13 of the Zoning Ordinance and Section IV-B-3-e of
the Subdivision Regulations require a traffic impact study for any Special Use Permit or
Site plan generating more than 800 daily trips (approximate number of trips generated by
an 80-lot residential subdivision). The current standards for traffic improvements for new
subdivisions deal with an analysis of existing traffic conditions and existing traffic
capacities, and do not consider the cumulative impact to the transportation system that
future development may have on the existing roadways. Proposed ordinance
amendments will include standards that capture the cumulative effects of development
so that public road improvement requirements for new developments can be employed in
a consistent manner at every level of the development review process, and the "first"
developments will riot be exempted from contributing to potential future needs.
Development of the amended traffic impact threshold criteria will take into consideration
the followin g factors:
1. Size, type and location of development
2. Functional classification of road;
3. Capacity of abutting roads to handle traffic;
4. The most recent traffic counts;
5. The volume-to-capacity (v/c) ratio;
6. Connectivity to other undeveloped properties;
7. Right-of-way requirements;
8. Impact Assessments; and
9. Mixed Use development.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: No County financial impact at this time with human resources being
used from existing departmental staff.
RECOMMENDATION(S): Receive as information and provide direction as appropriate.
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