Orange County NC Website
Chair Halkiotis suggested keeping the language simple in the Comprehensive Plan so that <br />communication can be enhanced and it can be easily understood. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked that Craig Benedict include in the timeline the first <br />Assembly of Governments meeting in 20Q2. He made reference to the elements of the <br />comprehensive plan and asked that since members of that department are not part of the committee, <br />haw their comments will be incorporated. Craig Benedict said that if the elements have same sort of <br />regulatory information, then the Planning Department would be interested in that. <br />Commissioner Brown said that she wants to be sure that there is clarity on what the Board of <br />County Commissioners is looking at. She feels that the Shaping Orange County's Future Task Force <br />was not given enough direction. She wants to see people's input on what they want to see in the <br />community. <br />Commissioner Gordon suggested that informational meetings on the different sections of the <br />plan be held in different parts of the County. She feels that there needs to be smaller meetings where <br />people will feel free to speak up and ask questions. She feels the schedule is too aggressive. She <br />feels that a May public hearing is too soon and that the public hearing should be in August. Craig <br />Benedict said that he feels it is important that the County Commissioners early on consider the <br />comments. <br />Chair Halkiotis supported the fact that the timeline is too aggressive. He feels that people <br />have special interest and will get upset when they are not heard. He feels that caution should be <br />taken and the process should allow enough time for citizens to ask questions and feel that they have <br />been heard. <br />John Link suggested that the County Commissioners review the goals the County <br />Commissioners have set for the Comprehensive Plan Update and come back with a revised <br />timeframe that will put into perspective for the public what Orange County is trying to do with this <br />update of the Comprehensive Plan. <br />Commissioner Carey said that people do not know what the word sustainability means. It <br />needs to be replaced or explained in simple terms. He feels that the timeline should be extended to <br />allow enough time for the process to work. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that one of the things that made the rural character study work is <br />that they met in the different townships -Cedar Grove, Little River, etc. Also, a way needs to be <br />developed so that the County Commissioners can be informed of what is being said at the meetings <br />so that the County Commissioners can get a sense of what people want in this Comprehensive Plan. <br />Taking it out to the people will get a better turnout and in the long run we can say that we put it in front <br />of people whether or not they take advantage of it. <br />Commissioner Brown said that the advantage of taking it out into the communities is that the <br />citizens will talk about what is happening in their own areas and what they would like to see in their <br />particular area. <br />In answer to a question from Commissioner Gordon on what the groups would be doing, Craig <br />Benedict said that the HillsboroughlOrange County group would look at the transition areas around <br />Hillsborough. There are other areas outside of the transition areas that could be serviced by water <br />and sewer. Also, with Hillsborough there are a lot of transportation decisions that are within the <br />County area that also impacts the Hillsborough planning jurisdiction. With Durham, we would be <br />talking about what land uses are appropriate. These would be groups of six that would make <br />recommendations. <br />Planning Director Craig Benedict said that for the sounding boards, each board has a different <br />perspective of what they want to see in the Comprehensive Plan. <br />Discussion ensued on the reason far having sounding boards. If they are not going to make <br />