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1 001 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> AND <br /> PLANNING BOARD <br /> PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: August 26, 2002 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. <br /> SUBJECT: Telecommunication Tower Ordinance Amendments <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) YES <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Proposed Ordinance Amendments Craig Benedict, Director, Ext. 2592 <br /> --Table of Permitted Uses Amendment Tom King, Planner II, Ext. 2607 <br /> Proposed Schedule of Fee Amendment TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Mebane 336-227-2031 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive public comments regarding proposed Telecommunication Tower <br /> (Telco)Amendments <br /> BACKGROUND: On March 6, 2002 the Board of County Commissioners approved a six-month <br /> moratorium on the processing of Special Use Permits relating to Telecommunication Towers. <br /> The purpose of the moratorium was to allow staff sufficient time to gather information, prepare <br /> amendments and to make a presentation at the August 26, 2002 Quarterly Public Hearing <br /> pertaining to updating/revising the existing regulations. As the industry has been rapidly <br /> changing, so does the need to keep up to date. The Planning staff met with all interested <br /> County Departments, twice, to discuss areas of common interest. EMS and IT, as well as other <br /> functions, have a stake in the telecommunications. <br /> Staff held an informational meeting with telecommunication industry representatives on July 31, <br /> 2002 to receive their comments and concerns on the proposals. Seven people attended the <br /> meeting. Primary concerns were limiting application review to once per year, clarification of <br /> 'existing structures' definition, drop in tower height, required inspections and fees. <br /> On August 12, 2002 staff held a meeting with potential participants in the Master <br /> Telecommunication Plan ("Plan") program to gauge interest in the Plan. Six persons attended <br /> the meeting. Farmers participating in the voluntary agricultural district program were particularly <br /> interested in additional revenue sources to help offset rising farming expenses and promote <br /> sustainability. It was expressed that additional income from land leases to telecommunication <br /> providers could be the difference in continuing to farm versus having to sell off parts of the farm <br /> to pay rising expenses. <br /> G/robert/cell tower amendment/abstract Public Hearing <br />