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Although the State has allowed Conditional Districts to be adopted, there is no <br /> mandate to require them. I don't believe the public is aware that introduction of <br /> these Districts can produce some very unwanted adjoining land uses which can <br /> cause real impact to their property and disruption of their current uses. <br /> The notification requirements on a rezoning are woefully inadequate. A Notice for <br /> just a 500' radius of adjoining property owners does not come close to <br /> adequately informing the public; and with the potential UDO projects it will be <br /> even less effective. I urge the BOCC to double this requirement to 1000'. <br /> For the sake of saving a few months in processing time for applicants, the county <br /> risks diminishing their role in guiding the County's growth and fulfilling their <br /> responsibility to protect the health and welfare of our county. <br /> These "floating zones" have the potential to create burdens on our infrastructures <br /> and schools because they are indeterminate and can not be planned for. <br /> Why should the county apply Conditional Districts county-wide? Would it not make <br /> more sense to tie this new construct to the identified Commercial Nodes, <br /> Commercial & Industrial Nodes, and the 10 & 20 year Transition areas mainly <br /> located along the I-40 corridor. The County is already committing financial <br /> resources to provide utility services in this area. If rezoning is not addressed in a <br /> manner which strengthens the envisioned Land Uses, we may end up with urban <br /> sprawl despite all of the preceding efforts of the citizens and public officials. <br /> Planning text books repeatedly identify Rezoning as a process to make properties <br /> "more compatible with significant changes in the area". But these "floating <br /> zones" have the potential to create undesirable islands of uses throughout the <br /> county. <br /> West's Encyclopedia of American Law states "Zoning laws are meant to further the <br /> general welfare rather than to improve the economic interests of any particular <br /> property owner. They are designed to stabilize neighborhoods and preserve the <br /> character of the community by guiding its future growth" <br /> The failure of the Buckhorn Project should be taken as a warning that there is no <br /> guarantee that unlimited commercial, retail and office space can thrive in Orange <br /> County. We have sufficient area designated for these uses and should focus <br /> special attention to efforts encouraging infill and renovation or replacement of out <br /> of date facilities. <br /> I appreciate this opportunity to address the proposed UDO and hope that you will take <br /> into consideration the effect that this ordinance could have on the quality of life of all the <br /> County's citizens. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Linda Finch <br /> Architect <br /> 1438 Gray Bluff Trail <br /> Chapel Hill, NC 27517 <br />