Orange County NC Website
Geoffrey Gledhill said that the use value taxation program does not mean that structures <br />are not under the zoning requirements or the building permit requirements. They are not related. <br />Building requirements for bona fide farms are different but not because of the use value tax program. <br />There are some farm buildings that can be built without permits, but not all farm buildings. The use value <br />relates to the activity you use the property for and how much money you make from the activity. It has <br />nothing to do with the buildings that are located on the property. <br />Commissioner Carey clarified that the time limit for a Special Use Permit is six years and <br />Craig Benedict said that this applies to all class A, historic property, non-residential uses. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that because of the short timeframe for this Special Use <br />Permit it is important to follow through on this renewal. However, she is interested in finding another <br />category for Reba and Roses to fit. <br />Craig Benedict said that he agrees there is a need to create a category that would better <br />fit Reba and Roses' situation. <br />Commissioner Gordon feels that there should be different requirements or built in <br />considerations for a Special Use Permit for something that already exists. <br />Jaki Shelton Green spoke on behalf of Reba and Roses. She feels that she is one of the <br />largest consumers of Reba and Roses. She read a prepared statement. She lives in Orange County, <br />but has a Mebane address. She lives closer to three large chain garden centers, but her choice of <br />garden centers has been Reba and Rases. She said that the philosophy of Reba and Rases as <br />translated to her has been one of collaboration. She said that Orange County was very blessed to have <br />a community-based modeled business that tends to operate out of its relationship to its consumers, not <br />only for gain, but also for sustenance. She asked the County Commissioners to support and encourage <br />venues like Reba and Roses by modifying processes that are restrictive and punitive. <br />Chair Halkiotis observed that because of field trips made by students to Reba and Roses <br />by some agricultural and horticultural classes at Orange High School, female enrollment has increased <br />dramatically in these types of classes that have welding. These students are making garden sculptures <br />and selling them. <br />Annie Hassell said that she has been in Hillsborough for 2 ~/ years and has had a lot of <br />dealings with Reba and Roses. She thinks that this gives Orange County an opportunity to support small <br />businesses because it is an unusual business and is giving a great deal to the community. <br />Commissioner Jacobs suggested that Laura Baldwin serve on the Economic <br />Development Commission because this task force needs women and small business owners. <br />Commissioner Brown suggested moving ahead on Commissioner Cordon's suggestion <br />to come up with some creative response to this particular situation. Craig Benedict said that staff could <br />do something independent of this and work on a new category. <br />John Link volunteered the Economic Development staff to work with Planning staff to <br />move expeditiously on this. <br />Geoffrey Gledhill said if the County Commissioners change the regulations so that a <br />special use permit is not required for Reba and Roses, then Reba and Roses would be able to operate <br />under that use. <br />