Agenda - 08-24-2009-C2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STRATEGIC GROWTH AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION PROGRAM Final (8.7.2009) 2.2 SGRC Program Design 2.2.1 Planning Process for SGRC Program Design Overview. Planning Department Staff and Consultants worked closely together to conduct analyses and develop initial program design recommendations. A Working Group of representatives from selected County Advisory Boards - dubbed the Joint Advisory Board - provided review and comment on the initial recommendations. The public was then invited to give feedback on the draft SGRC Program Design at an informal SGRC Open House. A final draft of the SGRC Program Design recommendations was then forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for public hearing and eventual consideration of adoption. (See Section 2.2.3 for final draft SGRC Program Design recommendations.) Analysis of Previous Findings and Additional Assessment. Planning Department staff and Consultants reviewed the findings from the Feasibility Study and the SGRC Goals set by the Board of Commissioners. These key program design issues were identified for initial analysis and deliberation: • Designation of Growth and Conservation Areas: whether to use mapped areas or a parcel- specific criteria -based designation • Eligibility criteria: whether to use any eligibility criteria, and if so, what criteria to use • Partial participation: whether Conservation Area properties must participate by placing all undeveloped property under easement or may choose to protect only part of the property • Reversal of participation: whether to allow Conservation Area owners to "buy back" the conservation easement on their property • Economic Factors: a closer look at the economic factors that influence Conservation Area sales of conservation easements and Growth Area development project proposals • Conservation Points Allocation: fixed formula or merit based? Per acre or per housing unit? Exclude existing structures or overlook them to provide an extra incentive? • Growth Area Development Intensity Bonus & Bonus Limits: fixed formula or merit - based? One -to -one ratio? Density limits fixed or criteria - based? • Allowing Commercial uses of Points: define a formula for commercial development intensity bonuses? • Incentives for Participation: points allocation /translation bonuses? Downzoning? Streamlined approval process? • Growth Area design guidelines: what amenities /buffer or other design requirements should be specified? For a listing of all issues and the rationales for and against each available option, please see Appendix D. Note that administrative design issues and options are included in the list in Appendix D and are discussed in section 2.3 of this report. The issues associated with designation of areas and eligibility criteria were tackled first. Consultants conducted analysis using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to evaluate the number and extent of properties that would qualify for SGRC Program participation under different area designation and eligibility scenarios. ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA L.