Orange County NC Website
2 <br />large developments or combinations of small ones which set aside significant <br />open space. <br />The County charge also included the statement that such projects would <br />conform to adopted Rural Character Study guidelines. The Charge called for <br />at least 30$ of the buildable area to be set aside as open space. "Buildable <br />area" was defined as the total tract area, less any rights-of-way for streets, <br />railroads or utility lines. This 30$ did not include unbuildable, natural, <br />or cultural resources such as wetlands or steep slopes. <br />The County resolution also stated that no more than two units per acre <br />could be established on the buildable acreage. The Charge adopted by <br />Hillsborough indicated that the 30~ buildable space applied to the total <br />tract, without consideration of unbuildable areas or rights-of-way. They also <br />indicated that no more than two units per acre would be applied to the <br />remaining 70$. The Work Group held an organizational meeting and then <br />participated in a design workshop. A set of recommendations was presented to <br />the governing boards. The basic issues before the Work Group were how much <br />open space to recommend, exactly what is open space, how much density should <br />be allowed and how would it be applied. Also, issues surrounding water and <br />sewer services were discussed. In February two teams were formed. The <br />Hillsborough team was comprised of the Town Board members and the developer's <br />representatives. The County team consisted of the County Commissioners and the <br />neighborhood representatives. Both teams presented a plan. The neighborhood <br />also presented the "Arendt Plan". Each of these proposed plans resulted in <br />a recommended primary conservation area of 151.9 acres; however, the secondary <br />conservation areas varied greatly. Hillsborough's plan suggested 248.8 acres. <br />Orange County's plan suggested 309.7 acres and the Arendt plan suggested 523.4 <br />acres. Charts showing how these figures were reached are in the permanent <br />agenda file in the Clerk's office. A chart called "Summary of open space and <br />development characteristics for the University Station site" indicated the <br />number of allowable units for each of these plans. The Hillsborough plan <br />allowed 1,082 units, the Orange County plan allowed 930 and the Arendt plan <br />allowed 464. The Work Group reached consensus on the issue of providing <br />public utilities. They agreed to limit public utilities to the University <br />Station project and stressed the importance of that limitation being <br />enforceable. The density would be limited to 946 individual units, however, <br />the density impact would be addressed by the County as part of the public <br />hearing process. Also, the level of density could be adjusted subject to the <br />monetary advantages of land conservancy to the developers. Intensive <br />discussion focused on the use of the 160 acres between Old NC 10 and the <br />railroad tract. Although, initially consensus was reached, it was decided <br />that further discussion was needed to define an option which establishes for <br />this area an appropriate mix of open space, elements of the golf course, <br />wildlife corridor, and/or necessary number of housing units. Various options <br />are being presented for citizen comments at this meeting. <br />A new Land Use Plan category called "Open Space Development Area", was <br />presented at this Public Hearing. The Board of Commissioners are scheduled <br />to receive a report on May 17th on the Rural Character Strategies. On May <br />23rd, at the regular Quarterly Public Hearing, another public hearing will be <br />held relating to this issue. Zoning Standards and a new Zoning District, <br />entitled Open Space Development, will be presented for citizen ,comment. That <br />