Orange County NC Website
3 <br />on the disposition of proposed amendments to the Land Use Element (map and <br />text) of the Comprehensive Plan. The proposed text amendments include a <br />description of and locational criteria for a new plan category entitled "Open <br />Space Development Area." The proposed map amendment would apply the new <br />category to the University Station site. The agenda included information <br />concerning municipal annexation procedures and development options available <br />under the current ordinances. <br />Commissioner Gordon stated that there may not be enough time to <br />fully discuss the Rural Character Study options .which are on this agenda. <br />She suggested scheduling a meeting for May 26 to discuss the Rural Character <br />options before sending both the Open Space Development Area proposal and the <br />Rural Character strategies to the Planning Board. <br />After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to add to the agenda for <br />May 26 a discussion on the Rural Character Study options. However, they did <br />not agree to withhold a decision on University Station until after this <br />discussion takes place. <br />Commissioner Willhoit explained that when the County entered into <br />the University Station process with the Town of Hillsborough, they recognized <br />that this was not a small area plan. This was taken out of the Rural <br />Character process with the goal of developing a plan for the University <br />Station area that would be superior to what may happen under the annexation <br />scenario hanging over the project. They talked about the rural character in <br />terms of cluster alternatives and densities of 1.3 units per acre. That is <br />more dense that what the County plan was. He would like to refer this to the <br />Planning Board asking them to identify what modifications might be made of the <br />"County Plan" to make it more acceptable. They don't need to solve all the <br />Rural Character issues with the University Station proposal. He suggested <br />that the Planning Board consider changing the language in the Open Space <br />District designation to say it only applies to the southeast quadrant of the <br />Hillsborough CPZ area. This would give assurance to the people who don't want <br />this to be the model countywide. <br />Commissioner Insko made reference to the May 5 minutes and the <br />questions that need to be answered about University Station. She feels it <br />would be more productive to discuss the Rural Character strategies before <br />considering them in the context of University Station. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis expressed a concern about the forces that <br />are driving Hillsborough forward with this project. He feels the real cost <br />of the development has not been calculated. He emphasized that the County is <br />driven by a caring for the people who live in Orange County. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked that it be made clear that the matrix on <br />page 20 of the agenda is the one being referred to the Planning Board and not <br />the matrix on page 17. The County Commissioners agreed. <br />Commissioner Insko clarified that the plan being forwarded to the <br />Planning Board is the County Plan and asked that the questions be answered <br />about developing the area with the existing zoning. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked the County Attorney if the County can <br />limit the Town's ability to tap onto the waterline wherever they want. <br />Geoffrey Gledhill said he has never researched this question. For sewer lines <br />there can be cooperative agreements between the Town (utility provider) and <br />the government that is doing the planning to limit access to the sewer lines. <br />He will research the question on waterlines. <br />In answer to a question from Commissioner Insko, Geoffrey Gledhill <br />