HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-16-2021; 12-3 - Memorandum - Eno EDD Land Use and Zoning Analysis ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Bonnie Hammersley, Orange County Manager
Travis Myren, Orange County Deputy Manager
FROM: Craig N. Benedict, Planning Director
CC: Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor
DATE: March 4, 2021
SUBJECT: Eno EDD Land Use and Zoning Analysis
Orange County planning staff will concurrently work with the City of Durham to review
various studies (SAP), courtesy review agreement, City of Durham long range
comprehensive plan, Orange County land use plan and zoning districts. The majority of
existing commercial uses along US 70 in the area are on well and septic systems. The
implications of amending land use and zoning to a lower intensity could be considered
downzoning or where businesses exist could create some nonconformities. This will be
discussed with the attorney's office. Discussion has been ongoing since the refocus of
joint planning in the smaller Eno EDD and request from City of Durham regarding the
protected watershed expansion (from moving their water supply intake westerly see
BOCC item of September 15, 2020 regarding this topic).
This protected watershed expansion between Hillsborough and Durham was coupled with
the focus area of the Eno EDD, where a suggested smaller area than original where public
water and sewer is financially feasible. Both City of Durham and Orange County will follow
courtesy review, future land use planning and collaboration, small area planning
suggestions and recommendations before proceeding to specific changes. At a later date,
after the BOCC is presented implications and options and a consensus interest to
proceed to formal changes is made, then state legal advertisement process requirements,
as well as, their own amendment processes outlined in our/their Unified Development
Ordinance (UDO) could be initiated.
In general, the entire Eno EDD land use area cannot be served with public water and
sewer in the short or midterm. There is a 250 acre focus area that is generally described
as an area south of I-85 and north of US 70 where public and private water and sewer is
programmed and economic development is strongly viable; evidenced by development
activity, active marketing by property owners and interstate access and visibility.
Before the formal process is set into motion, planning staff will collaborate with the City
of Durham and informally present findings regarding the Eno small area plan to the
BOCC. If you have questions please contact Craig N. Benedict
cbenedict(corangecountync.gov or Tom Altieri taltieri orangecountync.gov .