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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: March 17, 2009 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~~ <br />SUBJECT: Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment: Hillsborough Area Economic <br />Development District (EDD) Buffer Regulations <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />1. Proposed Ordinance Amendment <br />2. November 24, 2008 QPH Minutes <br />3. January 14, 2009 Planning Board <br />Minutes <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Michael D. Harvey, Planner. 245-2607 <br />Craig Benedict, Director 245-2592 <br />PURPOSE: To receive the Planning Board recommendation on and consider approval of a <br />staff initiated Zoning Ordinance text amendment to modify existing landscape buffer regulations <br />contained within Section 6.29.3a of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance. <br />BACKGROUND: At the November 24, 2008 quarterly public hearing, staff proposed modifying <br />existing buffer regulations within the Hillsborough Economic Development District (EDD)to <br />require a less restrictive buffer for non-residential developments proposing to convert existing <br />single-family residential structures into office space. <br />Staff indicated the proposed buffer amendments would only apply in situations where an <br />applicant proposed the use of an existing single-family residential structure and was designed to <br />promote the preservation and reuse of existing residential structures within the Hillsborough <br />EDD. <br />Staff further testified that in cases where an existing single-family residential structure was <br />deconstructed and removed, the existing buffer standards, as detailed within the Hillsborough <br />EDD design manual, would apply. <br />During the hearing, there were several local property owners who spoke in favor of the <br />proposed amendments. Several BOCC members also commented favorably on the proposal <br />while identifying the following concerns: <br />1. Concern was expressed on allowing for multiple driveway cuts onto Old NC 86 and a <br />suggestion was made that a comprehensive access management plan be developed to <br />control turn movements. <br />Staff Comment: Staff understands and shares this concern. Unfortunately, there is no <br />ability under this buffer amendment proposal to address this issue. <br />It should be noted that if the BOCC approves the rezoning of certain properties to <br />Economic Development Linear Office District (ED-LNR) (this is a separate agenda item <br />