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agricultural and undeveloped rural land. Past planning efforts have helped <br />keep these areas intact-and future efforts will place greater attention on <br />their protection. In terms of transportation planning, an RPO perspective is <br />more attuned to maintaining the integrity of the rural areas. <br />8. The MPO planning process is Federally mandated whereas the RPO process is <br />State mandated. Because of this, RPOs have no access to MPO Federal <br />funding. <br />Response: How much Federal funding is Orange County likely to receive? <br />Unless the County is forfeiting large sums by going with the RPO this is <br />likely anon-issue. The County still feels that the interests of its rural areas <br />are best served by the RPO concept. <br />Concluding Comments <br />Orange County thinks it is important that planning designations complement, <br />rather than contradict one another. Through the update of its Comprehensive <br />Plan; Land Use Element, Orange County is attempting to define more clearly, <br />the distinction between urban and rural areas. To reinforce this distinction, <br />the following strategies are proposed: <br />1. Lower residential densities in the rural areas <br />2. Urban growth boundaries where infrastructure will be limited <br />3. Potential density transfer programs for rural areas <br />Expected benefits from these strategies include, but are not limited to: <br />• Reduced development impacts on agriculture <br />• Fewer vehicle miles traveled resulting in improved air quality <br />• Enhanced water quality (surface and groundwater) <br />• Protection of the natural and cultural environment <br />• Rural character preservation <br />If the MPO designates all of Orange County as "urban" while the County <br />designates certain areas as rural -and through its land use plans, policies., <br />and ordinances, clearly demonstrates a commitment to this concept-then it <br />sends a mixed message to farmers, rural property owners, and land <br />developers. <br />As part of the TAC discussions on MPO boundary changes, we recommend <br />that the Orange County Planning Director or his designee, be invited to a TAC <br />meeting to present current thinking on the County's plans for rural areas. <br />C:iDocum~riic and S~rttiu;s:Admir,isll'atorl[.ncal Settim~ 1Temp'Respome <m Proposed Changes to All''f7 [3<}midary t~~~~r g ?.p(;.4.doc <br />