Orange County NC Website
Craig Benedict said that this question came up at the Assembly of Governments <br />meeting in late March. The wording that was used was whether an Adequate Public Facilities <br />Ordinance accommodates or moderates growth. <br />John Link said that the first thing that the Board of County Commissioners needs to do is <br />determine what they find to be an acceptable definition of actual students in schools. He said that <br />it was the 20-day number that should be pursued and not enrollment. <br />Craig Benedict showed a graph about how to accommodate for growth over time. He said <br />that there was a reasonable accommodation for growth based on past history. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about the role of the towns and schools making decisions on <br />approving developments. <br />Geoffrey Gledhill said that the County Commissioners could pace the growth. He said that <br />the planning government may have to stop issuing permits if development is causing schools to go <br />over capacity. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked far more clarification on how much development should be <br />accommodated. Geoffrey Gledhill said that it was only a pause in issuing permits. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that there were some issues that would have to be worked out <br />once the ordinance is adopted. One of the issues is that the Board would have to be committed to <br />a specific capital improvement plan that makes this workable. Also, the Board will have to work <br />with the schools on how to deal with class size. He asked about the specifics of pacing <br />development and if it would be a dam of units waiting to be developed. <br />Geoffrey Gledhill said that the Board could not ignore development applications and that it <br />would be a dam. However, the development community could change their plans because they <br />might not want to wait. <br />Craig Benedict said that in the past the CIP has been very reactionary without this <br />Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. This ordinance will take more of a proactive role and the <br />enrollment projection will serve as a basis far building schools. <br />Geoffrey Gledhill said that one important factor of this ordinance was the fact that at the <br />time it is adopted every one of the schools is going to be under the bar. <br />John Link said that aside from the ordinance and the memorandum of understanding, there <br />would be much improved student projections. Also, the County is going to public hearing in <br />November on variable impact fees. The County will have one of the most defined processes for <br />determining exactly what is needed and how it will be paid. He said that the spotlight would be on <br />everyone -the County Commissioners, the school boards, the towns, and the developers. <br />Commissioner Brown would like to see the County take leadership on this issue. <br />Chair Carey made reference to page 13 that outlined the process of adopting the ordinance <br />- bring it to the County Commissioners, send it to the other governing bodies for review and <br />comment, and approve with conditions. He said that he would like to receive some comments from <br />the other governing bodies before adopting the ordinance. <br />Commissioner Brown asked Geoffrey Gledhill about the legal process. Geoffrey Gledhill <br />said that the ordinance would become part of each of the participating governments' development <br />ordinances. It will limit those participating governments' ability to approve development permits. <br />The Memorandum of Understanding does not require a public hearing. He recommends that the <br />County take this to public hearing with the ordinance and present the whole package. The <br />required public hearings are the development ordinance amendments. <br />Chair Carey asked about Mebane's involvement and Geoffrey Gledhill said that it was not <br />critical that Mebane be a part of this right now. The developments in Mebane are not causing any <br />kind of spike in the curve. He does not think that Mebane ought to be approached about this <br />immediately. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis also thinks it is very important for the County to take the leadership <br />role because the schools are not over capacity right now. <br />Geoffrey Gledhill asked the Commissioners to share any thoughts about language changes <br />