Orange County NC Website
Chapter 8. Services and Facilities Element: <br /> - School facilities <br /> - Solid waste management <br /> - Stormwater/erosion control <br /> - Libraries <br /> - Public Safety and Emergency Management <br /> - Public water/wastewater systems and coordination <br /> Chapter 9. Transportation Element: <br /> - Emphases on multi-modal transportation <br /> - Regional authorities for recommendations <br /> - Three bus systems (Orange, Chapel Hill, Triangle Transit) <br /> - Transportation and development closely linked <br /> - County is within a non-attainment area for air quality and daily travel is increasing. <br /> Appendices <br /> - County Profile (Data) Element <br /> - Glossary of terms <br /> - Additional data and information <br /> NEXT STEPS <br /> - Receive public comment <br /> - Referral to Planning Board <br /> - Return to BOCC for action <br /> Public Comment: <br /> Allen Rosen read a prepared statement: <br /> "Members of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan Coalition want the updated plan <br /> to declare a preference for compact, walkable, mixed-use, and transit-supportive developments <br /> within the County's planning jurisdiction. This development pattern is vital to achieving many <br /> key components of sustainability including affordable housing, an increase in the commercial <br /> tax base, reduced vehicle miles traveled, and improved prospects for local and regional public <br /> transportation. <br /> We are pleased that language throughout the plan emphasizes this preference. Overall, <br /> the plan is a big step in the right direction, but there is still much room for improvement. In order <br /> for compact, mixed-use developments to become the preferred mode of new development, the <br /> planning elements of the updated comprehensive plan must complement each other and <br /> sensible implementing ordinances need to be adopted. <br /> Coalition members prepared comments on the goals and objectives from the first draft <br /> for the Land Use, Transportation, Economic Development, and Housing elements. Since the <br /> language of the Public Hearing draft is virtually the same, the comments are still current. These <br /> recommendations (found on pages 38-47 of the agenda packet) provide examples of how the <br /> current goals and objectives can be improved and how the linkages between the elements <br /> enhanced. <br /> The viability of compact, mixed-use developments depends on the availability of public <br /> infrastructure, including water and sewer. Thus, the coalition recommends that the planning <br /> document make affirmative and unequivocal commitments to providing the necessary public <br /> infrastructure in a timely manner. Work remains to be done in this regard also. <br /> I recommend a section of the plan be dedicated exclusively to the goal statements and <br /> objectives that address both zoning for compact, mixed-use developments and planning for the <br />