Orange County NC Website
public hearing item. He asked if the review of the Joint Planning Agreement is part of <br /> this advertisement. <br /> Craig Benedict said that it is implicit within B and it is not a public hearing <br /> item. He said that he could add on there a non-public hearing information item so that <br /> everybody knows. Chair Jacobs said that he thinks this should be done. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner <br /> Carey to approve the Notice of Public Hearing for October 9, 2002 as amended. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Chair Jacobs suggested that the Planning Board Members attend in case <br /> there is a courtesy review. <br /> b. Report and Action on Growth Controls in Large Residential Projects <br /> The Board received a report on elements associated with the implementation <br /> of growth controls in large residential projects. <br /> Craig Benedict said that this item tonight is both a report and a suggestion to <br /> proceed with some changes to our existing regulations to add an extra element of review <br /> for large residential projects. In May, the Planning Board sent a letter to the Board <br /> expressing their interest in working with the Board to find ways to better evaluate the <br /> impacts of large projects. Since then, they have worked on an action plan and this plan <br /> has been carried out through the Manager, Attorney, and the Planning Director. <br /> Presently there are subdivision regulations and zoning regulations. The staff is <br /> suggesting that there be a new special use permit that could be instituted for residential <br /> subdivisions over 20 lots. This would involve Planning Board public hearings and <br /> County Commissioner public hearings. <br /> Commissioner Brown said that she does not understand how 20 units was <br /> decided upon. <br /> Chair Jacobs suggested finishing the presentation and then taking questions. <br /> Craig Benedict said that the process for subdivisions with lots up to 19 would <br /> remain the same. Regarding the 20 lots, the Planning Board has recognized a point <br /> where a subdivision can have a major impact upon a community based on traffic, etc. In <br /> a County transition area, a 20-lot subdivision might not have as much impact. It has <br /> been suggested that we could implement this new process to give some degree of new <br /> growth controls by using a moratorium. This new process could go to public hearing on <br /> November 6`h. This would be taken back to the Planning Board and then brought back <br /> to the Board in December. He highlighted pages 5 and 6, which addresses an interim <br /> measure. He said that the staff would like authorization to proceed with a unified <br /> development code and to begin to look at what consultants can help us in this area. <br /> Geoffrey Gledhill said that the special use permit process, as envisioned by <br /> this recommendation, would be a class A special use permit. It would be heard by the <br /> Board of County Commissioners, and a public hearing would be held. The developer <br /> would be required to present evidence concerning the general standards that apply to all <br /> special uses in Orange County. The bottom line is that there would be a much more <br /> public process and the Board would have much greater notice. <br /> Commissioner Brown asked about the reasoning behind the 20 lots. <br /> Craig Benedict said that it was a judgment call of when the project seemed <br /> large enough that there would be a traffic impact. He said that it was somewhat <br /> subjective. <br /> Commissioner Brown asked Craig Benedict if he had criteria to assess when <br /> a development would have impacts. <br />