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Through zoning provisions related to stream buffering, Orange County's Zoning Ordinance <br /> effectively prohibits new construction in special flood hazard areas. <br /> Subdivision Regulations <br /> Subdivision Regulations govern the conversion of raw land for intensive residential use. This <br /> implementation tool is particularly necessary to coordinate existing development and potential <br /> future develo ment with ro osed develo ment. As the interest of the developer is generally <br /> P P P P <br /> short term,the application of subdivision regulations protects not only the individual <br /> homeowner,but also the general public by providing for a review process which suggests and <br /> facilitates coordination of the proposal with the long range specifications of the plan. By <br /> providing an opportunity for negotiation it likewise allows for the potential coordination of <br /> public and private activities. <br /> The purpose of the Orange County Subdivision Regulations is to guide and regulate the <br /> subdivision of land for sale or building development in order to insure the public health, safety, <br /> and welfare, and to provide for the sound use of land. The regulations are designed to insure <br /> adequate planning of street systems; to avoid overcrowding of land,prevent fire,panic, and <br /> other dangers; insure that water and sewage systems be safe and adequate; to prevent flood <br /> damage; to facilitate an orderly use of land; to insure the proper legal description and <br /> monumenting of subdivided land; and to encourage the proper management of Orange County's <br /> natural resources. <br /> It is the expressed purpose of the regulations to provide for, in addition to the above,the <br /> protection of water resources in Orange County,through the use, alone or in combination, of <br /> buffer zones, varying lot sizes, slope restrictions, vegetation, or other equally effective <br /> techniques. Innovative techniques on the part of the developer are encouraged where these <br /> techniques can be shown to be as effective as the specific requirements of the Ordinance.The <br /> Current Planning Division of the Planning and Inspections Department has primary <br /> responsibility for implementation of the subdivision regulations and reviews development <br /> proposals for consistency with the regulations. <br /> Water Restriction <br /> In the event of severe drought which has caused reservoir levels to decrease to dangerous levels <br /> and damages agricultural production, mandatory water restrictions on residential and <br /> commercial uses can be put into effect. These and other conservation methods are employed in <br /> a gradual time frame so that business and residents are not suddenly struck with severe <br /> restrictions that undermine commercial and agricultural efforts. Concurrently, the three public <br /> water suppliers to Orange County citizens (Orange Water and Sewer Authority, Hillsborough <br /> Municipal, and Orange Alamance Water Service) have been working diligently to increase <br /> reservoir capacity to better avoid and mitigate against drought conditions. <br /> Existing Mitisation Efforts <br /> Orange County has participated in the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) <br /> Buyout Program. This program allows local governments to purchase homes that have a <br /> 51 <br />