Orange County NC Website
. 1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND <br /> PLANNING BOARD <br /> QUARTERLY PUBLIC HEARING <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: February 27, 2012 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. C-7 <br /> SUBJECT: Amendments to Unified Development Ordinance Text(UDO/Zoning 2012-08) <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) Yes <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1. Comprehensive Plan/Land Use Element Terry Hackett, 245-2588 <br /> Map and Unified Development Ordinance Ren Ivins, 245-2586 <br /> (UDO) Amendment Outline Form <br /> (UDO/Zoning 2012-08) <br /> 2. Amendment Packet <br /> Educational Materials: <br /> 3. Fact Sheet - Falls Lake/Jordan Lake <br /> Stormwater Rule for New Development in <br /> Orange County <br /> PURPOSE: To hold a public hearing on state required text amendments to the Unified <br /> Development Ordinance to meet the Falls Lake/Jordan Lake stormwater new development <br /> rules. <br /> BACKGROUND: Both Falls Lake and Jordan Lake are considered polluted due to excessive <br /> nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) inputs and stormwater runoff is one of the major sources. As a <br /> result, both lakes have been designated as Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW) by the North Carolina <br /> Division of Water Quality (DWQ). Through a long stakeholder process, nutrient reduction strategies <br /> were developed for both lakes/watersheds and new regulations were promulgated. The state's Falls <br /> Lake rules became effective January 15, 2011 and the Jordan Lake rules became effective August <br /> 11, 2009. <br /> Both rules require nutrient control from stormwater runoff generated by new development. To meet <br /> these rules, the state requires local governments to adopt specific stormwater standards. The new <br /> development nutrient limits are different for each lake/watershed. Orange County proposes to <br /> address the two programs with one set of regulations within its Unified Development Ordinance <br /> (UDO), and will enforce nutrient limits for each lake's watershed. <br /> Orange County was required to submit draft programs, including ordinance revisions, to DWQ for <br /> review and approval by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC). Orange <br /> County's proposed changes were submitted to the state on August 4, 2011 for Falls Lake and <br /> September 7, 2011 for Jordan Lake new development rules. The EMC approved Orange <br /> County's Falls Lake new development program on January 12, 2012. While the county's Jordan <br /> Lake program has not yet officially been approved, it is the same as the Falls Lake submittal <br /> and will officially be approved in March 2012. However, in order to meet the Falls Lake rule <br />