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2 growth and the preservation and protection of agriculture, managed forestry, natural resources and visual resources. The management of growth and the creation of flexibility for property owners are also goals of the study. On November 12, the Committee agreed upon a set of recommendations and presented the package at the public hearing for comment and feedback. A citizen information session was held on November 17 to preview the presentation and answer questions from the public. Sixteen people attended this session. The Committee's recommendations are included in the "Conceptual Guidelines for Rural Orange". A summary sheet of recommendations is also provided. In the package, the Committee recommends two broad administrative actions to implement their findings. 1. The Committee recommends the creation of a Rural Character Element of the Comprehensive Plan, as allowed under Section 2 of the Zoning Ordinance. This element would contain the Committee's findings, goals and action strategies and incorporate them into County policy. 2. The Committee recommends a series of six development options that serve as a catalyst for the Committee's program, representing ways to encourage rural character protection through flexibility and environmentally-sensitive design. The Committee recommends that these development options be incorporated into the County Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations - with the creation of a Rural Orange Design Guidebook as a resource for rural character-enhancing development. The development styles represent an attempt to expand upon current standards and introduce incentives for using new options which result in open space as a part of the development plan. As a part of the overall strategy, the current zoning density of 40,000 square feet in most rural areas would be changed to a range of densities from 10,000 square feet in a planned community to 200,000 square feet in large-lot development. The base conventional development density would be reduced to 80,000 square feet (1.74 acres). However, density bonuses, the use of private roads, and in some cases, access to water and sewer service would be available to those developments which preserve floodplains, wetlands, natural areas, historic/archaeological sites, farmland, and/or forest land. Proposals are also made for preparing plans for Rural Crossroads and Rural Community Centers, including the active participation of community or area residents. The rural character strategies are presented tonight in concept form as the first step in the process. Approval of these rural character strategies and development options in concept form by the Board of Commissioners will provide the basis for preparation of ordinances and plan amendments to implement the strategies. These amendments will be presented at a subsequent public hearing, along with the Rural Orange Design Guidebook - illustrating how to use and apply the development options to protect rural character. BOB STRAYHORN, a member of the Rural Character Study Committee (RCSC), indicated that he was a resident of the New Hope Community. He mentioned that although he was interested in keeping the rural character of the county, compromises must be made. He indicated that the committee's recommendations offer a way to sell a portion of your land without having to sell all of it to a developer. It should be the owners option as to how they use their open space. Incentives are being offered to the land owner which encourage them to set higher standards for their land. LIVY LUDINGTON stated that she is working with the Triangle Land Conservancy and is a member of the RCSC. She stated that the Rural Character Study Committee realizes that the issues surrounding the use of open space and the concept of a rural village are controversial. They welcome citizen comment and hope that constructive suggestions are offered.