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Growth Management Tools for Consideration <br />^ A CLEARLY DEFINED URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY (UGB} AND INTERIM <br />GROWTH BOUNDARY {IGB} <br />-Clearly defines where urban growth should and should not occur, and can even <br />designate areas appropriate for development within certain time frames. <br />-Directs development back into urban areas, instead of allowing it to sprawl out into <br />rural areas. <br />-Uses scarce public resources more efficiently. <br />- Protects rural areas and open space from development. <br />- A step toward implementing a Transfer Development Rights {TDR} program <br />whereby "receiving" and "sending" areas are outlined. <br />Map 5: Water & Sewer Boundary <br />MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS LIMITED TO AREAS WITH URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE <br />POTENTIAL <br />- Easier and less costly access and provision of public facilities and services, as <br />well as a lesser need to expand these services outside of urban areas. <br />- Less stress an the rural and environmentally significant areas of the County. <br />- Directs higher impact growth to areas that can better accommodate it. <br />- Rural activity is less disturbed by conflicting residential growth <br />^ REDUCED RESIDENTIAL DENSITIES IN THE RURAL AREAS <br />- The costs to provide public facilities are reduced since fewer people will live in the <br />rural areas. <br />- Helps protect rural areas, such as prime farmland, sensitive habitat, open space, <br />and critical watershed areas, as well as maintaining the rural character of the <br />area. <br />- Reduces traffic and air pollution in the rural areas. <br />- Promotes sustainable ground water recharge <br />- Encourages higher density and investment in the already urban areas, Chapel <br />Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and Mebane. <br />Map 6: Targeted Densities <br />Chart 10: OC Land Use Scenarios <br />Map 7: Open Space Subdivision Design <br />Townships-to-Sustainable Planning Areas (SPAs) <br />Townships <br />^ 7 in Orange County <br />^ Relies on artificial political boundaries <br />^ Large resolution presents obstacles for planning studies <br />^ Used historically for planning in Orange County <br />SPAs (Sustainable Planning Areasl <br />^ 32 in Orange County <br />^ Relies on natural watershed boundaries <br />^ Small resolution captures unique water quality and location attributes <br />^ Used currently for planning in Orange County <br />Growth Management Tools far Consideration <br />^ SUSTAINABLE MINIMUM LOT SIZE TO ENSURE LAND HOLDING CAPACITY <br />IS NOT COMPROMISED <br />- Reduces water resource stress and environmental hazards from failed septic <br />systems. <br />