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Chapter 1: Plan Overview <br /> amendment with the Comprehensive Plan and any other relevant plans (such <br /> as a small area plan, a corridor plan, or a transportation plan) that have been <br /> adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. The Board of County <br /> Commissioners is also required to adopt a statement on plan consistency <br /> before adopting or rejecting any zoning amendment. These written <br /> comments are required, but do not limit the board's discretionary power to <br /> adopt or not adopt zoning amendments. <br /> The Orange County zing Unified Development Ordinance provides the <br /> authorization and legal framework for development and adoption of a <br /> comprehensive plan. The ordinance states that the plan "shall constitute an <br /> internally consistent and compatible statement of policies for the long-term <br /> physical development" of the County, and that the plan should include the <br /> following elements (or chapters): <br /> • Land Use Element; <br /> • Transportation Element; <br /> • Housing Element; <br /> ■ ., Natural and Cultural Systems Element); <br /> • ., Parks and Recreation Element}; <br /> • Economic Development Element; and <br /> • Services and Facilities Element-; and <br /> ■ County Profile (Data) Element. <br /> The Planning Board is given the express power to develop and recommend <br /> the Comprehensive Plan for adoption by the Board of County <br /> Commissioners. Before the board can adopt the plan, a public hearing must <br /> be held to provide an opportunity for the County's citizenry to comment on <br /> the plan. The zoning ordinanee Unified Development Ordinance also <br /> provides standards for amending the plan. (See Section 1.5.3: <br /> Amendments.) <br /> 1.2.3. GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE <br /> Orange County is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, <br /> elected in partisan countywide elections. The primary duties of the board <br /> include adopting an annual budget, establishing the annual property tax <br /> rate, appointing various officials, planning for County needs, adopting local <br /> plans, and enacting local ordinances. The board also has the authority to call <br /> for bond referenda, enter into contracts, and establish new programs and <br /> departments. <br /> The board is advised by more than 40 different boards and commissions <br /> comprised of Orange County citizens that volunteer for their positions. <br /> Achieving the goals set by the County Commissioners is made possible <br /> because of this citizen input into programs, services, and general <br /> operations. Some of these boards have been established by state law and <br /> their authority is defined in the North Carolina General Statutes. Others have <br /> been created by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners to help <br /> them set policies for specific areas of service. <br /> Ora+ei Cap utity Campre e,Flaw Page 1-4 <br />