Orange County NC Website
845 <br />such questions as what does the-Board wish?the Planning Board to consider, <br />in what timeframe and what issues need to be addressed. To consider all <br />aspects may take some time. In terms of priorities, he feels there are some <br />contradictions like affordable housing versus open space. <br />Larry Reid indicated he would like to receive additional direction <br />on what specifics should be considered in deciding an item or. in <br />reconsidering an item that is sent back to the Planning Board after they have <br />made a recommendation. This would give the Planning Board a better view of <br />what the county Commissioners feel is important. <br />Chair Carey feels that the County Commissioners can be specific on <br />why they refer things back to the Planning Board. In terms of priorities, <br />it would be diff icult for the Commissioners to make that decision because <br />they are not always sure which priority should be given more weight in making <br />a decision. <br />Elizabeth Walters asked that the Commissioners tell them which <br />items should be given top priority. She would like to know what the Board's <br />goals are for this year. <br />Paul Hoecke feels it important that the Planning Board know the <br />total picture or that the vision for Orange County is made very clear. <br />Commissioner Willhoit said that each goal has a time line and <br />stated that priorities do change. <br />Chair Carey emphasized how much the County Commissioners depend <br />upon the Planning Board and staff to do the real work and how much they rely <br />on them. It does mean that judgment decisions on what the Planning Board <br />feels is the right way to go may need to be made <br />Commissioner Gordon explained that the Board sets priorities at <br />their retreat in December and are continually reviewing them. She realizes <br />that there are a lot of issues and that maybe the Board needs to be more <br />comprehensive. She feels that long range comprehensive planning is vital and <br />she would. like to see the Board spend more time on pursuing these <br />comprehensive planning issues. Clear directions to the Planning Board with <br />parameters is important. Sometimes the Planning Board works hard on an issue <br />and the recommendation is not accepted because there has been a change <br />midstream or the Board needs additional information on why that particular <br />decision was made. <br />Karen Barrows, made reference.--to. the.D.eGr_o.ve Conference and the <br />emphasis on utilizing what already has been done on land use planning by a <br />lot of people in Orange county. She feels there needs to be a way to involve <br />these people in the process. <br />Commissioner Willhoit noted that it is usually the big issues that <br />bring people out to public hearings. The people who specialize in land-use <br />planning come and go. <br />Clint Burklin said that he has been attending the long range <br />planning committee meetings which have provided him a good perspective of how <br />planning issues relate to other issues. He suggested that the County <br />Commissioners meet at least once a year with this committee to get a <br />perspective of the overall goals. Chair Carey suggested having a meeting <br />with this committee before the Board retreat in December. The Board agreed <br />with this suggestion. <br />Commissioner Willhoit said that there are a lot of issues and <br />questions that probably should be forwarded to the Planning Board for their <br />input. Some of these involve lot size distribution by township, carrying <br />capacity, the number of acres which are undeveloped, the kind of overall <br />population that is likely to occur outside of the municipalities, the density