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Chapter 5: Land Use Element <br /> Efland-Mebane Small Area Plan was adopted in June 2006 and includes <br /> implementation recommendations for water and sewer, land use, transportation, <br /> housing, parks, recreation and open space, communications, inter-governmental <br /> agreements with Mebane, and design overlays for the US 70 Corridor and Efland <br /> town core. <br /> NC HIGHWAY 57 SPEEDWAY AREA SMALL AREA PLAN. <br /> In 2007, Orange and Durham County completed a Small Area Plan for the 930-acre <br /> North Carolina Highway 57 Speedway Area. This area is located in the northeast <br /> corner of Orange County near the border with Durham County. The area was <br /> selected as an opportunity for further long-range planning because of multiple <br /> factors 1) existing businesses of non-conforming status, 2) the area's location <br /> within a protected watershed, and 3) Orange County's desire to encourage <br /> compatible non-residential development that protects the existing rural character <br /> of the area. The planning process included an identification of issues and <br /> concerns for the area, public feedback through scheduled meetings, and drafting <br /> of the plan for public review and consideration. The plan includes nine goals for <br /> guiding future planning efforts in the area, as well as objectives and policies for <br /> implementing the goals. <br /> The NC Highway 57 Speedway Area Small Area Plan was adopted by the County <br /> Commissioners in August 2007. The implementation of recommendations <br /> included in the Plan is forthcoming. <br /> PANTRY STUDY <br /> The Pantry Study was to ensure that subsequent developments were in accordance <br /> with municipal and County land use objectives and included participation from the <br /> Town of Hillsborough. The plan established development standards for transition <br /> areas and additional protection for environmentally sensitive areas. The plan was <br /> approved by the BOCC in July, 1986. <br /> HOW SMALL AREA PLANS INFORM UPDATES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN <br /> Development of Small Area Plans has allowed the County to take a more detailed <br /> look at targeted areas in the County. The goals and objectives of these Plans <br /> provide a foundation for improving the County's Comprehensive Plan to effect <br /> needed change in these locations. In general, these Small Area Plans have <br /> highlighted the need for the County to: 1) Pursue additional interlocal agreements; <br /> 2) add additional partners to the Water and Sewer Management Planning and <br /> Boundary Agreement; 3) amend the County's Future Land Use Map (contained <br /> within the Land Use Element); and 4) amend the County's Zoning Unified <br /> Development Ordinance text and map for consistency and to implement the <br /> recommendations that have been included in the adopted Small Area Plans. <br /> 5.3. THE LAND USE PLAN <br /> One of the fundamental planning tools used to achieve the stated goals and <br /> objectives of the Comprehensive Plan in Orange County is the design and <br /> application of a Land Use Plan and Map. Land Use Element implementation is <br /> accomplished primarily through the application of zoning, although a variety of <br /> land use ordinances are available for various aspects of implementation. A key <br /> feature of land use planning in Orange County is the requirement for consistency <br /> between the Future Land Use Pfart Map and the application of zoning. A The Land <br /> Use and Zoning Distriet Matrix identifies matches each of the Land Use Plan <br /> 0ravV,e1Cou*ity Co-mprehev«iveiPLavv Page 5-14 <br />