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PLANNING <br />Commissioner Brown would like to designate one of our work sessions to go over some of the <br />planning issues. Chair Gordon mentioned that the Board of County Commissioners work sessions are <br />getting full but that we will try to work with the Planning Director when he starts work on March 1 to set up <br />such a meeting. Commissioner Jacobs agreed. <br />OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION AND PARKS <br />Commissioner Brown gave an update on the information she provided in the notebook about <br />Recreation and Parks as it pertains to the master plan and to the bond funds. She mentioned that there will <br />be a report within the next couple of months. She feels that someone needs to work on the payment-in-lieu <br />that is in the Subdivision Ordinance because it is handled differently in each jurisdiction. One of the <br />interesting things they did was to look at land for recreation and parks on the basis of intensity of uses and <br />taking into account open space. Strategies and recommendations will come out of this task force sometime <br />within the next two months. She feels that this committee could be the basis of a countywide recreation and <br />parks plan. <br />Chair Gordon made reference to the list of goals and said that a lot of them have to do with protecting <br />our environment or land and some have to do with securing open space, protecting rural character, transfer <br />of development rights, etc. Many of these goals indicate a continuation of what we are doing in protecting <br />open space. What this list says is that we want these items to be high priority. <br />Commissioner Carey said that he would like to see some specific time given to transfer of <br />development rights within the County and not between jurisdictions so we can determine if TDRs are feasible <br />or not. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he feels we should look at our EDDs for transfer of development <br />rights. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis suggested visiting a locale where TDRs are working to find out how they are <br />doing it. If we can help our citizens understand TDRs, then we would have a better chance of passing a <br />bond to be used for TDRs in Orange County. <br />In answer to a question from Commissioner Jacobs, Chair Gordon said that her understanding is that <br />all the different open space goals will be a function of the new department. <br />John Link said that it would help staff if the County Commissioners would tell them if they want direct <br />connectivity between the functions in this new department and the functions of the Agricultural District <br />Advisory Board. Also, he asked if the County Commissioners want recommendations to come forward from <br />this advisory board. This was not resolved at this point but will be further discussed by the County <br />Commissioners. <br />Chair Gordon said that the Commissioners have made a commitment of $100,000 for conservation <br />easements. <br />The Board discussed the process for approving goals and the new form that will be created. <br />EDUCATION: EQUITABLE AND EFFECTIVE SCHOOL FUNDING <br />Commissioner Halkiotis feels that it is important to meet with our local delegation before they go back <br />to Raleigh. He supports going forward with location legislation for an impact tax. Also, emphasis should be <br />placed on effective school funding needs including collocating facilities.