HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-28-2000-5ORANGE COUNTY ~ ~) `~ ~1
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: August 28, 2000
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT: Provisional Re ort - Sha in Oran a Coun 's Future Task Force
DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes
Conservation
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Task Force Companion Document
2. Task Force Provisional Report
(provided under separate cover)
3. Task Force Supplemental Materials
(provided under separate cover)
4. Staff evaluation and report
5. Adopted 15- step process
6. Summary of activities 1996-2000
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dave Stancil, 245-2590
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-$181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: Ta receive public input on the provisional report of the Shaping Orange County's
Future Task Force, and to receive a staff report evaluating the. implications of the report.
BACKGROUND: Since December 1996, the Shaping Orange County's Task Force has been
working toward the development of a quality growth and community-building blueprint for the
entirety of Orange County. In April of this year, the Task Force agreed by consensus to forward
the "Provisional Report of the Shaping Orange County's Future Task Force" for consideration.
The provisional report (termed such because of the provision in the 15-step process that brings
the Task Force back for final changes to the report after public hearings and an Assembly of
Governments) covers a wide range of topical areas in order to address the many facets of
quality of life and community-building. The Task Force has developed goals, objectives and
action strategies in two broad categories: "Sustainability and Community-building" and "Critical
Areas to Maintain or Improve our Quality of Life."
The process for SOCF that was adopted by the County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro in 1994 calls
for the Task Force to make a presentation of their report to the citizens (which was done on
May 18 of this year). Following this presentation, public hearings and initial staff evaluations
were to take place, followed by a facilitated Assembly of Governments meeting where the
elected boards would discuss the report and its findings. After this has occurred, the Task Force
is to reconvene for a final meeting to make any changes needed to the report based on the
feedback received, and publish its final report. The final report is to be used by the local
governments as a policy base for updating and amending plans and policy documents.
Staff has prepared an initial evaluation of the Task Farce report, with thoughts on the
ramifications and implications of the findings far County government. Similar reports and
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hearings are being held in the Towns in August and September. The Town of Carrboro will
consider the report at an August 22 worksession and a public hearing on September 26. The
Town of Hillsborough will hold a public hearing on September 11, and the Town of Chapel Hill
will hold its hearing on September 1 S. Due to schedule limitations, the Assembly of
Governments meeting is currently being considered for January 2001.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The financial impact of the Shaping Orange County's Future report could
be very substantial for all local governments, including the County. Considerable further work
will be needed to assess the long-term financial implications of pursuing (and not pursuing) the
Task Force recommendations. As such, the initial staff evaluation attempts to identify types of
costs as opposed to actual cost estimates ~-which will take further work.
RECOMMENDATION(S): Following the close of public comment, the Manager recommends
that the Board receive the report as information, refer it to appropriate advisory boards, and
work to schedule the Assembly of Govemments meeting to address the issues raised with the
other elected boards (including considering a joint review of financial implications by the
respective staffs). The existing SOCF Steering Committee (two elected officials from each
jurisdiction) could be asked to work with the facilitation consultant from the Dispute Settlement
Center to plan the Assembly of Governments meeting.