Orange County NC Website
Planning Director Craig Benedict said that this is the only formal public hearing item on <br />the agenda. This is a standalone ordinance. Orange County became a participating <br />community in the National Flood Insurance Program in 1975 and entered the regular FEMA- <br />NFIP on March 16, 1981. Anew series of maps has recently been published that show where <br />the flood hazard areas have changed. Since 1994, the County has only permitted three <br />structures within floodplains. The State made some recommendations that are part of this <br />ordinance. He said that adopting this amended ordinance would improve the community <br />insurance rating system. The recommendation is to close the public hearing and adopt the <br />amended ordinance. <br />There was no one signed up to speak to this item. <br />Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 27 and the list of chemical compounds. <br />He asked if there were any petroleum products because he thought some plastics were made <br />out of petroleum products. Craig Benedict said that some products made from petroleum have <br />been converted before they get to the site. He said that they could elaborate an certain <br />products. Commissioner Jacobs asked to differentiate between treated wood and wood that <br />can be reused. <br />Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 28 and asked if the State requires the <br />County to allow new construction in flood hazard areas. Craig Benedict said that, according to <br />the State, development is allowed in the floadplain if there are certain precautions. The County <br />can do an outright prohibition. <br />Geof Gledhill said that there is an opportunity for hardships to be dealt with, and he <br />could not think of a legal problem where the County could not prohibit new construction in flood <br />prone areas. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked about the Public Market House, which will be the Farmer's <br />Market, and said that part of it will encroach on the floodway. This would be in violation to what <br />he just proposed. Craig Benedict said that there are definitions about livable areas, and this <br />would not be classified as a livable area. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he would be interested in having the Planning Board <br />make a recommendation to the County Commissioners. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about page five and what is meant by "common usage." <br />Craig Benedict said that this is a catchall phrase suggested by the State. <br />Commissioner Gordon would also like a recommendation from the Planning Board. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to <br />ask the Planning Board and staff to consider more closely the list of prohibited compounds and <br />consider an outright ban an new primary construction in flood hazard areas. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />Chair Carey asked that it be brought back na sooner than September 1St <br />John Link asked for clarification an the terms flood prone and flaodplain. Craig Benedict <br />said that they are interchangeable. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that there is the floodplain, then the flood fringe. Craig <br />Benedict said that they would work on the definitions. <br />D. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS <br />1. Update an Rural Enterprises Project <br />Planning and Economic Development staff will address questions and comments from <br />the February 28, 2Q05 Joint County Commissioners/Planning Board Work Session on <br />the Rural Enterprises (agricultural-related business} project. In addition, the process of <br />review far these new uses based on their range of intensity will be discussed including a <br />conditional district-zoning proposal. <br />