Agenda - 09-30-1998 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

D June 8, 1998; the respective municipal resolutions are attachments to these minutes on pages .Z2 --�.5- This item will be presented to the Board of Commissioners at the September 1, 1998 meeting. The Planning Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendment to the Joint Planning Agreement. Strayhorn asked about the affect on minor subdivisions. Bell responded that minor subdivisions (5 lots or less) would not be included in the moratorium. McAdams asked if all three jurisdictions have to approve the moratorium for it to be in effect. Using a map, Bell indicated the areas affected which are the Chapel Hill Transition Area, Carrboro Transition Area and the Rural Buffer in Orange County. He noted that Chapel Hill could place a moratorium on its Transition Areas, Carrboro on its Transition Areas and Orange County on the Rural Buffer. Selkirk asked about the administrative process among the three jurisdictions for solving problems during the moratorium. Bell responded that the amendment has been proposed to address situations where changes are in progress such as the Carrboro Small Area Plan. It would set a cutoff date until the plan and implementing ordinances are through the process so that developers and/or landowners are not caught in the middle of that process. Barrows asked whether there had been a moratorium in this area in the recent past. Bell responded that there is no provision in the current Joint Planning Agreement for a moratorium. He continued that there has been one in the Carrboro Small Area Plan area which was a case in which the Carrboro Board of Aldermen voted to enact one and Orange County did not object if Carrboro wanted an extension to get through the planning and ordinance writing process. This amendment would establish definite guidelines for a moratorium. Woods asked the rationale for the exception for minor subdivisions. Bell responded that minor subdivisions are handled administratively in the office in Orange County. The applicant works one -on -one with Planning Staff, Register of Deeds, Land Records and County Attorney to meet requirements. The largest minor subdivision is five lots. On an average, minor subdivisions in Orange County are two lots. It is also a matter of impact; a minor subdivision of one or two lots as opposed to a major subdivision of fifteen to twenty lots (average size of a major subdivision in Orange County). Strayhorn stated that he felt it was very important to continue to allow minor subdivisions. He felt that there are times when the allowance of a minor subdivision prevents a major subdivision of a large tract of land. MOTION: Brooks moved approval as recommended by the Planning Staff. Seconded by Selkirk. VOTE: Unanimous.