Agenda - 03-17-2009 - 5c - Laserfiche WebLink

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Approved 2/4/09 14 3. More explanation was requested on how the buffer amendments would be affected, or be complemented, by a staff generated rezoning for the various properties presented at the November 2008 Quarterly Public Hearing, Staff Comment: As staff testified during the hearing, this item and the rezoning will have an impact on each another. The proposed buffer amendments are designed to facilitate the preservation of existing single-family residential structures in an effort to protect the visual attractiveness of the Old NC Highway 86 corridor. The rezoning request, if approved, would essentially have the following impact on these properties: a. Limit the permitted uses to professional office (i.e. attorney, architect, doctor, finance/insurance, etc) b. Reduce the required minimum lot area from two (2) acres to twenty thousand (20,000) square feet. This would mean that majority of the lots would be considered conforming to the minimum lot area requirements of the Ordinance, c. Reduce the required minimum lot width from two hundred (200) feet to one hundred (100) feet, d. Reduce the allowable height of proposed structures from sixty (60) feet to thirty (30) feet, e. Establish guidelines on the hours of operation for non-residential developments that are currently not applicable under the current zoning designation, f. Limit the total gross square footage of structures on the properties to five thousand (5,000) square feet, g. Eliminate a requirement, for properties zoned Economic Development Limited Office, for any non- residential land use proposed for development within two hundred (200) feet of a residential subdivision to obtain a Class A Special Use Permit. It is staffs opinion that in cases where we are preserving, and encouraging, the adaptive reuse of existing single-family residential structures for professional office use the need for a Special Use Permit is not warranted. The scale of the proposed development would• be limited given the preservation of the existing structure's architecture and size. In reviewing this matter with the Planning Director, staff believes there is an opportunity to allow for, and encourage, the adaptive reuse of single-family residential structures by eliminating the Special Use Permit requirement. Staff further believes that additional language maybe necessary to require any new structure, built within two hundred (200) feet of a residential subdivision, to obtain a Special Use Permit to ensure that the scale of the project does not adversely impact existing residential dwelling units. RECOMMENDATION: The Zoning Officer recommends the Planning Board: 1. Deliberate on the petition and review the various comments made during the public hearing, 2. Recommend the amendments be approved as presented by staff, 3. Recommend the BOCC direct staff to begin an analysis of existing parking and access management standards in, and around, all EDD districts, Commercial/Industrial Nodes, and the Rural and Community Activity Nodes for future presentation at an upcoming Quarterly Public Hearing. Brian Crawford said as this was a public hearing item if there was anyone in the audience that had any comments on the proposal. Ms. Margo Pinkerton was recognized and allowed to address the Board. Ms. Pinkerton said she was a resident of the Cornwallis Hills Subdivision and expressed concern over reducing any buffer over a large tract of land separating the residential subdivision with Old NC 86. Ms. Pinkerton said she was referring to the large parcel of property 3