Minutes - 02-26-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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consideration for possible rezoning to allow transitional residential as a buffer for Stagecoach Run into office use. Commissioner Gordon had several questions. She asked about the new design manual far these new areas and if the present standards would apply to the other two EDDs and Craig Benedict said yes. The other EDDs will remain intact. Commissioner Gordon asked what the advantages were of using the master plan approach. Craig Benedict said that staff realized, based on the Corbin Downs experience, that it might be unrealistic to expect a developer to bring in a project of 300 acres and know exactly what is going to happen on every parcel. By allowing the master plan approach, the County Commissioners can take a look at the big picture with the rezoning and the Special Use Permit to see what the potential uses would be. This gives a reasonable amount of time for the County Commissioners to see the plan and provide input into the plan. He clarified that there can be mini-master plans far areas of two acres. Commissioner Gordon asked why a person would need amini-master plan with such a small area. She also asked that the standards be written so that they are easier to read and understand. She said that the manual was still very complicated. She asked about the entire design manual and Craig Benedict said that the entire design manual would still exist for the two other EDDs. The abridged manual has statements of objective and subjective standards. Commissioner Brown asked about the most logical and first places that sewer would be extended. Craig Benedict said that sewer systems typically follow creek beds. He said that Cates Creek does go under I-40, but it would be a lengthy process to provide water and sewer south of I-40. He used a map to show where water and sewer service is available and where it could be provided. Area A is probably the next place for water and sewer to be extended. He said that Area A could be the focal point for a transportation hub far atransit-oriented development with access to I-40 and I-$5 and access to potentially two four-lane divided highways in the future. This is probably the only opportunity that Orange County will have with the best transportation access. Commissioner Jacobs asked about plans for a connection through Becketts Ridge. Craig Benedict said that there has been an accommodation for a connection through Becketts Ridge, which is in the process at this time. The EDD Task Farce will be looking at the transportation network in and around Hillsborough. Commissioner Jacobs asked if there was a requirement for public facilities like fire stations, police substations, parks, and school sites in the EDD manual. Craig Benedict said that the design manual addresses the mixture of uses and compatible public facilities. He said that there should be a generalized overview in the manual of the capacity concept for the transportation network in the area. Affordable housing will also be addressed in the generalized overview. Commissioner Jacobs said that the issue has been raised about limiting the size of big-box retail to control the overall traffic impacts. Craig Benedict said that when discussing this topic in the EDD Task Farce, it was the general consensus that this is something that the County needs to be sensitive about so as not to hurt the downtown area of Hillsborough. Commissioner Jacobs said that some of the uses indicate that there will be no drive- through facilities in the Hillsborough EDD. Craig Benedict said that the intent was to not have drive- through facilities. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 67 and the linear office district. He made several notations, which Craig Benedict will take into consideration in editing the manual. The issues included vehicular connectivity, open space connectivity, and setbacks and buffers. Commissioner Gordon will write down additional comments and submit them to Craig Benedict before the Planning Board meeting in April. She is particularly concerned about the complexity of the regulations. MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to refer the Comprehensive Plan Text and Map Amendments (items C, 1-3) to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners for consideration by the Board of County Commissioners on April 17, 2001 meeting.