ORD-2003-003 Major Subdivision and Rural Buffer Notification and Flexible Development Amendments

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Z ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ 0200 3 - o0 3 4C process for the park, fix the membership of the Concept Plan Review Committee, and authorize staff and the Clerk's office to begin recruitment. Commissioner Jacobs made two suggestions about the proposed committee. Instead of saying a member of Habitat for Humanity, he thought we were trying to get someone from Richmond Hills. He also suggested having an Efland-Cheeks Elementary PTA member. Commissioner Halkiotis and Commissioner Carey have already volunteered to serve on this committee. A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Carey to approve the proposed mission and process for Efland-Cheeks Park, Phase II; fix the membership of the Concept Plan Review Committee (Commissioner Halkiotis and Commissioner Carey); and authorize staff to begin recruitment for the Concept Plan Review Committee, to be appointed in March. This also includes the changes as suggested by Commissioner Jacobs above. VOTE: UNANIMOUS c. Maior Subdivision and Rural Buffer Notification and Flexible Development Amendments The Board considered an amendment to the County's subdivision regulations to allow flexible development guidelines to be applied in the rural buffer zoning district, enhance the notification procedures by requiring that an informational sign be placed on major subdivision proposals in the County's planning jurisdiction, and increasing, at the concept stage, the percentage of lots that requires soil analysis. Craig Benedict summarized the information in the agenda. The new proposal requires notification and a neighborhood information meeting on all subdivisions within the County's jurisdiction, and it also includes a sign to be posted on the property announcing that a subdivision is in process. Also, flexible development has been added to the rural buffer in two of the mechanisms -conservation cluster option and the estate option. Another area that is suggested to be changed is the percentage of soils that must be checked to see the feasibility of septic systems. The suggested change is from 15% to 50% to find out if soils are suitable. This investigation should be done during the concept plan stage. Commissioner Gordon verified that the change in percentage applies to all lots and not just the rural buffer. She also verified that the flexible development changes were for major subdivisions. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Board of County Commissioners could still choose the option for flexible development after the Planning Board. Craig Benedict said yes, to his knowledge. He deferred to the County Attorney. Geoff Gledhill said that his recollection is that there is an appeal to the County Commissioners from a decision about whether or not the option is flexible or conventional. This decision is made at the preliminary plan stage and it can be appealed by the owner of the property to the Board of County Commissioners. If the County Commissioners do not like the option selected, he thinks that the response is to send it back to the Planning Board to start over again. Commissioner Jacobs said that as someone who has criticized the rural buffer for failing to provide any open space, he would like to congratulate staff on its creativity and responsiveness. He thinks this is a big improvement. He said that he believes that we are being responsive to the citizens that the Board has heard regarding the rural buffer. The citizens have repeatedly said in recent years that they want the rural character to be preserved in their area and they want open space. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Chair Brown to approve the amendments to the subdivision regulations to 1) allow flexible development guidelines to be applied in the Rural Buffer Zoning District; 2) enhance the notification procedures by requiring an informational sign to be placed on major subdivision proposals in the County planning jurisdiction prior to Neighborhood Information Meetings; and 3) increase, at concept stage, the percentage of lots that requires a soil analysis by a soil scientist. VOTE: UNANIMOUS d. Appointments 1) Human Relations Commission The Board considered two appointments to the Human Relations Commission.