Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Design and Application Standards <br />A. Smart Growth Site Design Attributes <br />B. Master Planned Program <br />(Similar to Planned Development) <br />1. Roadway System <br />2. Infrastructure <br />3. Environmental <br />4. Flexibility <br />(Removes need for stringent <br />Building/Site/Landscape Volume Ratios) <br />C. Architectural Design <br />- Common Element <br />D. Landscape Design <br />- Xeriscaping, Buffering <br />E. Circulation and parking <br />- Shared Parking Systems <br />F. Service and Storage <br />- Access and Screening <br />G. Signs and Lighting <br />- Economically Competitive <br />Chair Carey said that the Board is being asked to refer this to the Economic <br />Development Commission and Planning Board before it goes any further. <br />Commissioner Nelson asked what exactly staff is asking to be done. <br />Laura Blackmon said that this design manual was written 13 years ago and needs to be <br />revised based upon a mature and flexible model. She said that some development should not <br />be encouraged. She said that there is some interest in development around Buckhorn and the <br />County needs to be aware of this and be prepared far it. There must be some consistency in <br />the EDDs. The Attorney's office has not reviewed this yet, but the staff wanted to discuss this <br />on the same night that the Board met with the EDC. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about the direction that should be given to the Planning <br />Board and EDC. <br />Laura Blackmon said that this item was more to give the Board of County <br />Commissioners a heads up and the advisory boards will advise the Board of County <br />Commissioners on this. <br />Commissioner Gordan said that it was not clear to her how this revision will be used to <br />make the process harder or easier to do. She said that flexibility can lead to confusion. She <br />asked what the Planning Board and EDC were supposed to do when they look at this. <br />Craig Benedict said that there are a lot of good elements in the manual, but the goal is to <br />make the process easier for businesses that want to came to Orange County. <br />Discussion ensued on the task for the advisory boards. <br />Craig Benedict said that the boards could tweak the goad parts and fill the gaps in the <br />plan that were missing in the original plan. <br />Commissioner Foushee said that the EDC will be able to ga through this and find what is <br />useful in a shorter timeframe. <br />Commissioner Gordon suggested that the Board needs to ask both boards to specify by <br />January an approach for an interim report to the Board of County Commissioners to see if this is <br />on the right track. <br />