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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 11-21-2005-2ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 21, 2005 Action Agenda Item No. C.2 SUBJECT: Policy Options for Residential Density in Watersheds DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes ATTACHMENT(S): 1) Map -New Policy Options for Land Use Density in Watersheds INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 245- 2592 2) Prologue Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning 3) Land tlse Density Option Descriptions Supervisor, 245-2579 4) Land Use Density Options and Associated Buildout Conditions PURPOSE: To hear citizen and public comments regarding the New Policy Options for Land Use Density in Watersheds, Anew policy is necessary to address identified growth challenges in the areas of air and water quality, water resources, environmental protection, open space preservation, traffic control, and efficient provision of public services. BACKGROUND: This is the first of a three-part public hearing process for the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element Update and is to present four policy options (Attachment 1) for residential land use density. Residential land use density determines how many acres will be required to construct a new single-family home, A reduction in permitted Density is necessary to address identified growth challenges in the areas of air and water quality, water resources, environmental protection, open space preservation, traffic control, and efficient provision of public services. This Public Hearing will remain open and no decision made on Residential Zoning Density Policy Options until the following associated items are heard at the second and third public hearings: a) Draft Land Use Element Text and Future Land Use Map Updates on February 27, 2006; and b) Zoning Text and Atlas amendments later in 2006. The Board of Commissioners will hear public comments at all three Public Hearings before closing the Public Hearings and referring the LUE Update and zoning amendments to the Planning Board far their recommendation., Following a Planning Board recommendation, on Public Hearing specific items, the BOCC considers the amendments and makes a final decision, The fallowing Attachments provide additional background information: Attachment 2 -Prologue; Attachment 3 -Land Use Density Option Descriptions; and Attachment 4 -Land Use Density Options and Associated Buildout Conditions. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Other than advertising casts, there are no direct financial impacts associated with hearing public comments on this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): Administration recommends that the County Commissioners hold this public hearing item open by adjourning until the February 27, 2005 public hearing on the t_and Use Element Text. Planning Staff recommends that the County Commissioners provide direction to Staff on whether to proceed in drafting a Land Use Element text update that includes a range of new policy options for residential land use density or a more focused policy and hold this public hearing item open by adjourning until the February 27, 2005 public hearing on the Land Use Element Text, Orange County Board of Commissioners Public Hearing on New Policy Options for Land Use Density in Watersheds November 21, 2005 at 7:30 PM F, Gordon Battle Courtroom 106 E, Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC (See supplemental text advertisement for additional information,) Legend: Land Use Density -Color Symbol Legend: ''~,' 1 dwelling unit per 0.92 acre 1 dwelling unit per 2 acres 1 dwelling unit per 3 acres" ~` ~ 1 dwelling unit per 3 acres 1 dwelling unit per 6 acres"' 1 dwelling unit per 6 acres Notes: `Sac - Fxcept that l/rst 51ots of subdivision maybe 2 acres "sac -Except that tlrst 5lots of subdivision maybe 2 acres Areas where NO CHANGE to Existing Density is proposed are outlined in thick black and include: Urbanizing Transition end Economic Development Municipal Jurisdiction Cane Creek and University Lake Watersheds . Rural Community Nodes Note: See other text for properties witft little or no etiect, or call the numberbelow F~tisting Residential Density: if you have questions, please call Orange County Planning & Inspections Department at (919) 245-2575, and ask for Craig Benedfct or Tom Alfieri. oft ~MIIes n N Growth Management Options (As option numbers increase, population potential decreases to promote better air and water quality, etc..) New Policy Option 1 New Policy Option 2 ATTACHMENT New Policy Option 4 Attachment 2 Land Use Element Range of Policy Options Land Use/Zoning Density Options PROLOGUE The Land Use Plan creates a master plan for where different uses (residential, commercial, etc,) are located and how intense (acres per units, square footage per acre, etc.) the uses could be. The plan affects the Orange County planning jurisdiction directly, which is 95% rural and 5% urbanizing residential and economic development.. The Plan does not include municipal land use or zoning, but coordination is an important aspect. During the 4-year process of the Land Use Element update, the Planning Department prepared future growth scenarios (options) based on existing regulations and trends. This information led to a maximum growth scenario using existing zoning allowances of approximately 145,000 new homes and over 345,000 new people if the County was to 'build out' over many years. This scenario, although it could unfold over many years, creates an ongoing and more unmanageable cumulative negative impact on the County. "Growth Management Challenges and BOCC goals have been identified using a host of existing elected advisory boards and task forces to note the improbability of the County becoming sustainable at the present housing density rules and long-term growth potential at 'buildout' (i.e, when undeveloped lands are converted to developed lands). Sustainability is the key to the future and preservation of quality of life in Orange County Sustainability: how can we preserve our valuable environmental (air and water) and cultural resources for future generations while managing growth in a manner where public service costs do not overburden the people and the impacts of growth do not diminish the quality of life appreciated by Orange County residents and businesses. The following options presented attempt to lessen the long-term impacts of growth to varying degrees. In addition, some options have a stronger focus on traffic reduction and associated air gtaality, while others have mare dominant effects on water quality and/or sprawl reduction. The land use highlights are noted with the options. G:\Comprchensive Planning Div\GBNL\2005 Public Hwrings\Nov 2l\GCCP-LUEPolicy0ptions\Att 2-LUG Desc 1 l 1605 doc Planning for the Future: Orange County Planning Jurisdiction Additional Growth l~ ~ `t o $'' 9r c1 ~ ~ s® ~ (- d fL0 ti.. ~. V ® ~ ~ ~ ~ N ® N 1® ~ J G. a° Jtw o~ na , J~ + 130,000 DU + 300,000 Population + 102,000 DU %~~ J~~~'oa°,--'® +240,000 Population ' <ba~\~ v , Quality of Life Eeiling?,-'" ~"" ~ + 60,000 DU ~rb~ + 145,000 Population ~/ - ~~~°5,000 P,~B~ .• - •'. --~1rf~an)REiral l~griculture ~ "907,000 ~~a~s~99c'~, 48~?i3 ,:f~u[~(-Orange -2000 ~~ 20,000 DU I Time Buildout I Option 1 on paper could be as much as 150,000 dwelling units, but 14% was removed from developable land because of floodplain constraints. Since density and minimum lot size are similar in many areas, the constrained areas cannot be absorbed easily into the subdivision, therefore the lower number is used. Attachment 3 LAND USE DENSITY OPTION DESCRIPTIONS OPTION 1 Medium-Low Density Plan New Rural Buildout Units: 75,000 ± New Urbanizing Buildout Units: Variable Depends on Rezoning Potential 4,500 Acres Available Existing Dwellings: 13,600+ (Both Rural and Urbanizing) Gross Rural Buildout Density: 1 du / 2.40 ac ± Possible Total Population at Buildout: 210,000 ± (Orange County Planning Jurisdiction) Note: Does not include municipalities. As a comparison, the existing land use/zoning plan would permit'on paper' 145,000 new units and 345,000 new population. GOALS 1.1a Water Supply Protection 1.1b Some Rural Character Protection LAND USE CHANGE HIGHLIGHTS 1.2a Reduces Buildout population and density in rural areas but not as low as historic densities. 1.2b Changes Upper Eno water supply watershed to same lower density program presently in Cane Creek and University Lake. 1.2c Lowers future density in rural areas to approximately 1 house per 2 to 2.5 acres, if soils permit. 1.2d Identifies suburban areas where growth may occur without public water and sewer in short term, G'.\Comprohensive Piannin~ Div\GENE\2005 Puhlic HearingsVNOV?7\OCCP-LUEPolicy0ptions\Land Use Density Option Deuriptions 17 ~5~5 doc Attachment 3 LAND USE DENSITY OPTION DESCRIPTIONS OPTION 2 Low Density/Low Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Plan New Rural Buildout Units: 65,000 ± New Urbanizing Buildout Units: Variable Depends on Rezoning Potential 4,500 Acres Available Existing Dwellings: 13,600 + (Both Rural and Urbanizing) Gross Rural Buildout Density: 1 du / 2.8 ac ± Possible Total Population at Buildout: 180,000 ± (Orange County Planning Jurisdiction) Note: Does not include municipalities. As a comparison, the existing land use/zoning plan would permit'on paper' 145,000 new units and 345,000 new population. GOALS 2.ia Air Quality/Traffic/VMT Reduction 2.1b Water Quality Protection 2.ic Lower Density/More Rural Character as distance increases from urban areas. LAND USE CHANGE HIGHLIGHTS 2.2a Reduces Buildout poptlation and density in rural areas that match historic densities. 2.2b Changes Upper Eno water supply watershed to same lower density program presently in Cane Creek and University Lake. 2.Zc Lowers density from over 1 du/ac in urban areas to a gradual step down density - 1 du/2 ac to 1 du/3 ac to 1 du/5 ac in rural areas. 2.Zd Reduces potential of large-scale development in more distant rural areas. G9Comprehensive Planning Div\GEIJE\2005 Public Hearings\NOV 21\OCCP-LUEPoiicyOptions\Land Use Density Option Descriptions 111505 doc Attachment 3 LAND USE DENSITY OPTION DESCRIPTIONS OPTION 3 Low Density/Land Equity Plan New Rural Buildout Units: New Urbanizing Units: Existing Dwellings: (Both Rural and Urbanizing) Gross Rural Buildout Density: 55,000 ± Variable Depends on Rezoning Potential 4,500 Acres Available 13,600+ idu/3.Oac± Possible Total Population at Buildout: 165,000 ± Grange County Planning Jurisdiction) Nate: Does not include municipalities. As a comparison, the existing land use/zoning plan would permit ion paper' 145,000 new units and 345,000 new population. GOALS 3.ia Water Quality Protection: Surface and Groundwater 3.ib Lower Equitable Land Use Density 3.ic Traffic Reduction/Air Quality LAND USE CHANGE HIGHLIGHTS 3.2a Reduces Buildout population and density in rural areas that match historic densities. 3.2b Changes Upper Ena water supply watershed to same lower density program presently in Cane Creek and University Lake Watersheds. 3.2c Lower land use density in areas other than watersheds with critical areas are similar at 1 du/3 ac to promote equity in future land development potential. 3.2d Reasonable density change between urban and rural areas. 3.2e 80% of designated urbanizing areas are available for urban style growth G:\Comprehensive Planning Div\GEIJE\2005 Public Hearings\IdoV 2~\OCCP-LUEPOIicyOptions\Lanrl Use Density Option Drsrriplions 111505 doc Attachment 3 LAND USE DENSITY OPTION DESCRIPTIONS OPTION 4 Lower Density Plan (5-acre density except that the first 5 lots may be 2-acre density) New Rural Buildout Units: New Urbanizing Units: Existing Dwellings: (Both Rural and Urbanizing) Gross Rural Buildout Density: 50,000 ± Variable Depends on Rezoning Potential 4,500 Acres Available :13,600+ 1du/3.3ac± Possible Total Population at Buildout: 150,000 ± (Orange County Planning Jurisdiction) Note: Does not include municipalities. As a comparison, the existing land use/zoning plan would permit ion paper' 145,000 new units and 345,000 new population. GOALS 4.1a Rural Economy and Character Protection 4.ib High Water Quality. Surface and Groundwater Protection. 4.1c Land Use Equity 4.1d Traffic Reduction/Air Quality LAND USE CHANGE HIGHLIGHTS 4.2a Reduces Buildout population and density in rural areas that is lower than historic densities. 4.2b Changes entire rural portion of County to same lower density program presently found in Cane Creek and University Land Watersheds. 4.2c Lower density program of approximately i du/3.3 acres is similar throughout all rural areas which promotes equity indiscriminate of water supply watershed designation. 4.2d More marked difference between urban and rural density. 4.2e 80% of designated urbanizing areas are available for urban style growth G:1Comprchensive Planning DiNGENE\2005 Public NearingsWov 21\OCGP-LUEPoIICyOplions\Land Use Density Optinn Descriptions i t 7505 doe Attachment 4 Land Use Density Options and Associated Buildout Conditions Orange County Planning Jurisdiction Only (does not include ETJs or Municipalities) Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Existing Maximum Medium-Low Density Low Density/Low Vehicle Low Density/Land Equity Plan Lower° Density Plan Lowest Density Plan (Upper° Neuse Density Plan Plan Miles Traveled (VMT) Plan (Developed following 2004 (Similar to existing Cane Watershed Management Plan and outreach efforts in response to CreeldUniversity Lake Cape Tear River Assembly) citizen comments) Watershed land use ro ram) Description of Option • Presented at • Presented at outreach • Presented at outreach • Presented at outreach meetings • Presented at outreach • Presented at outreach meetings outreach meetings meetings meetings . Within Upper Eno, change meetings • Within Cane Creek and • Status Quo - No Varied densities based • Platming Staffls density to match that which Countywide 1 du/5 ac University Lake Watersheds, No change to existing on the location of recommendation prior to can-ently exists for Cane Creek density, first 5 lots of a Change to existing density zoning densities wrprotected, protected, outreach meetings and University Lake subdivision maybe 2 ac • Balance of County Jurisdiction, 1 and critical watersheds • Varied densities based on Watersheds du/5 ac density and proximity to urban the location of unprotected, • Balance of County • Supported by UNRBA Watershed areas protected, and critical .Jurisdiction, 1 du/.3 ac density Management Plan and similar to watersheds and greater • Low Impact Design (LID) Cape Fear studies emphasis on proximity to suggested urban areas than that of Option 1 New Rural and 145,000 +/- 75,000 +/- 65,000 +/- 55,000 +/- 50,000 +/- 35,000 +/- Urbanizing Dwelling Units Possible ~ New Population .350,000 +/- 175,000 +/- 150,000 +/- 1.35,000 +/- 120,000 +/- 90,000 +/- Possible Total Dwelling Units 160,000 +/- 90,000 +/- 80,000 +/- 70,000 +/- 65,000 +/- 50,000 +/- at Buildout Total Population at 385,000 +/- 210,000 +/- 180,000 +/- 165,0001-/- 150,000 +/- 125,000 +/- Buildout Gross Average 1 du /1,3 ac +/- 1 du / 2.4 ac +/- 1 du / 2.8 ac +/- 1 du / 3.0 ac +/- 1 du / 3,3 ac +/- 1 du / 4,1 ac +/- Density at Buildout ~ NOTES: ~ Future Dwelling Units Possible is subject to an increase based on the rezoning potential of designated urbanizing transition areas. Z Average Historic Density is approximately 1 du/2.8 ac, excluding Mobile Home Parks. Source: Orange County Plamring and Inspections Dept,, 10/28/04 G:\Comprehensive Planning Div\GENE\2005 Public Hearings\Nov 21\OCCP-LUEPoIicyOptions\Projections under Options Rev 111605.doc