Minutes 02-28-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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county staff appreciate the work that the citizens have done to understand the UDO and its implications for our communities. We appreciate that there's a strong push to approve the UDO quickly— but in its current form, it leaves the rural community vulnerable to random sprawl and incompatible development. We hope that you will pursue some of the options that have been offered to correct the shortcomings in the ordinance, and better align it to the comprehensive plan. Above all, please ask the planning board and the planning department to find a way to change the ordinance so that conditional zones designed for the EDDs cannot "float" into the rural areas. If it makes sense, design a new conditional zone for the rural areas and define conditions that are compatible with rural character and underlying land use. In addition, please assure us that as the county moves forward to complete Phase 1 and begin for Phase 2, citizens will be actively involved in a transparent process. We don't want to interfere with the work in the EDDs (which benefits us all). We simply want to create a vision for our own communities. That way we can be confident that the rural communities will not suffer the unintended consequences of one-size-fits all zoning that's designed for dense economic development districts. Residents are prepared to start working on Small Area Plans and conditional districts that impact the farms and rural communities. We are also prepared to work on base zoning features that clarify how zoning for rural areas differ from densely developed areas near towns and along transportation corridors. We are prepared to work with the county and the Planning Board so that all these changes can be implemented quickly so as to honor your April 5th approval date. Thank you. Allan Rosen said that he has lived in Orange County since 1992. He is a current member of the dormant Economic Development Commission. He said that he is glad to hear support for economic development. He said that Phase 1 is about gauging organizational issues and then moving on to more substantial conversation. He is in favor of further discussion as soon as possible on the substance of this. He said that the approval process and the uses have not been changed and that is really critical. He asked the citizens to stay involved and continue to put economic development to the forefront. He said that not all changes in the rural area are adverse. He encouraged everyone to remain as open-minded as possible. Kim Foushee read a prepared statement: "I'm Kim Foushee, Director of Operations for Orange County Speedway located at 9740 NC Highway 57, Rougemont, NC which is located in the Little River Township, in an Ag/Residential designation. The Speedway, once zoning began, was not grandfathered in as most counties would have but designated a Legal Non-Conforming Status which up to now we still currently hold. Like Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and other misfits that are different— someone did not understand, not like it or just decided to do nothing in hopes it would disappear. Since 2006, the Speedway has worked with its non-conformity, but we need more leeway in order to operate a successful business. The Speedway was active in the 2006 Speedway Highway 57 Small Plan. We do not see the result present in this UDO. The Speedway was active in the 2006 Speedway Highway 57 Corridor plan. It appears the UDO does not incorporate the establishment of a commercial designation for the businesses located in our small area as Planning Staff indicated would happen. This facility has a long and wonderful history since the early sixties. Many of the neighbors moved in after the track was built. This past Saturday night prior to the NASCAR truck race, OCS was mentioned twice in relation to Dale Jarrett getting his first NASCAR win and with