Orange County NC Website
<br /> <br />a. Amendments to Allow Private Roads in Minor <br />Subdivisions <br />(i) Section II-Definitions (Minor Subdivisions) <br />(2) Section IIIB - Classification of Subdivisions <br />(3) Section III-C-4 Action Subsequent to Approval <br />(Public Road Dedication) <br />Mary Willis presented for citizen comment proposed amendments <br />to the Subdivision Regulations to allow subdivisions of five or fewer lots to <br />be approved through the minor subdivision process when public road dedication <br />or improvement is required. <br />QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OR <br />PLANNING BOARD <br />Commissioner Gordon expressed concern that the proposed <br />amendment requires the Board of Commissioners to accept the right-of-way <br />dedication without having reviewed the subdivision prior to its approval by <br />the Staff, and asked if Board review could occur before the subdivision was <br />finalized. The County Attorney stated that such a change would have to be <br />advertised as a different amendment because the purpose of the amendment was <br />to allow for staff approval of the subdivisions. <br />Commissioner Willhoit expressed concern with amendments which <br />would simplify and thereby encourage the approval of small, scattered <br />subdivisions which may not contribute to the more comprehensive goal of <br />preserving rural character. He further commented that the County should be <br />encouraging the coordinated, cooperative development of open space in small <br />subdivisions. <br />THERE WERE NO CITIZEN COMMENTS. <br />b. Section IV-B-4 Private Road Justification Criteria <br />Mary Willis presented for citizen comments proposed amendments <br />to the Subdivision Regulations to include, as a justification for a private <br />road, the preservation of site features which preserve or enhance special or <br />unique characteristics of the immediate area surrounding a proposed <br />subdivision. <br />QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OR <br />PLANNING BOARD <br />Commissioner Gordon expressed concern that the proposed amendment <br />was very subjective and could allow for approval of private roads in many <br />circumstances, which appears to be counter to the current policy of favoring <br />public roads. <br />CITIZEN COMMENTS <br />Chris Hogan expressed a concern that there be a community effort to <br />work together to plan for the future of Orange County. <br />MOTION <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner <br />