Orange County NC Website
�.© - aof) a - e--)3,=) <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: November 6, 2002 <br />Action Agen a <br />Item No.� <br />SUBJECT: Telecommunications Tower Ordinance Amendments <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) NO <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Administration Ordinance <br />Pg 6 <br />Table of Permitted Uses Amendment <br />Pg 29a <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Recommended Changes by Planning Bird. <br />Pg 29b <br />Craig Benedict, Director, Ext. 2592 <br />Planning Board Ordinance (Draft copy) <br />Pg 46 <br />Tom King, Planner II, Ext. 2607 <br />Proposed Schedule of Fees Amendment <br />Pg 67 <br />Speakers info presented @ Public Hearing <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />and Planning Board <br />MHearin of August 26, 2002 Public Hearing <br />P9 68 <br />Hillsborough 732 -8181 <br />g <br />P 96 <br />g <br />Chapel Hill 968 -4801 <br />Minutes of September 4, 2002 Planning <br />Durham 688 -7331 <br />Board Meeting <br />Pg 102 <br />Mebane 336- 227 -2031 <br />Map of Existing Telco Towers <br />PQ 114 <br />PURPOSE: To close the Public Hearing and to make a decision regarding the proposed <br />Telecommunication Tower (Telco) Amendments. <br />BACKGROUND: On March 6, 2002, the Board of County Commissioners approved a six - <br />month moratorium on the processing of Special Use Permits relating to Telecommunication <br />Towers. The purpose of the moratorium was to allow Staff sufficient time to gather information, <br />work closely with the County Attorney's Office, prepare amendments and make a presentation <br />at the August 26, 2002 Quarterly Public Hearing pertaining to updating /revising the existing <br />regulations. As the industry has been rapidly changing, so has the need to keep up to date. <br />The Planning Staff met twice with all interested County Departments to discuss areas of <br />common interest. EMS and IT, as well as other functions, have a stake in the <br />telecommunications amendments. <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 the <br />`existing structures' definition, the drop in tower height, and 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 <br />particularly interested in additional revenue sources to help offset rising farming expenses and <br />to promote sustainability. According to those farmers present, the additional income from land <br />leases to telecommunication providers could be the difference in continuing to farm versus <br />having to sell off parts of the farm to pay for rising costs and operating expenses. <br />