PH ORD-1997-004 Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Historic Sites Non-Residential Use Mixed Use

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3 2) Article 6.30 Extra Requirements for the Stoney Creek Basin Overlay District This item was heard concurrent with Item C1(a). (b) _Gaff Courses 1) Article 4.3 Permitted Use Table 2) Article 6.16.10 Additional Requirements for Certain Permitted Uses Recreational Facilities(Profit(Non-Profit):Golf Club and Golf Country dub. 3) Article 6.23 Watershed Protection Overlay Districts 4) Article 22 Definitions-Golf Course 5) Article 8.8.7 Special Uses(Golf Courses) This item was presented by Emily Cameron for the purpose of receiving citizen comment on propose amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to include standards for golf courses. On August 20, 1996, the Board c Commissioners adopted a charge and appointed members to the Golf Course Amendment Review Task Force (Go CART). The Golf CART began meeting in September 1996 and continued its work through February of 1997. At the end c December, a draft was distributed to 27 agencies and individuals for review and comment, including the Institute c Government, state agencies involved with water quality and pesticide regulations, the Recreation and Parks Advisor Council, the US Golf Association, the National Association of Counties, US Environmental Protection Agency, the Go Course Superintendents Association of America, the American Society of Golf Course Architects, and the Center fc Resource Management Twelve responses were received: Written comments were part of the agenda packet COMMENTS AND/OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Gordon mentioned that the.Permitted Use Table previously allowed Golf Courses as a matter of righ in more districts than the current table does including commercial districts. She felt that It would make sense to allow golf courses in some of those districts by Special Use Permit She requested that the Planning Board discuss this further. Ms.Cameron mentioned that the debate was lengthy on this issue. The end point of the discussion was that the CART members were attempting to be consistent with the description of the districts. At the same time, In a practical sense,the acreage is limited for the commercial uses. The possibility of undeveloped existing commercial land existing which could be used for a golf course development where it would not already be permitted is very unlikely. She assured Commissioner Gordon that the Planning Board would revisit this issue. Commissioner Brown requested clarification on Attorney Gledhill's comments regarding pesticides. Ms.Cameron mentioned that there is a section In the NC General Statutes that preempts local jurisdictions from adopting regulations which would address,in any way,the applications to use or store pesticides. It is very specific with regard to the limit it puts on local jurisdictions.The CART Included information in the initial draft regarding pesticide use, safety,notification,storage areas,etc.,primarily for information. Because of the General Statutes they were required to delete them from the initial draft of this document COMMENTS AND/OR QUESTIONS FROM THE PLANNING BOARD: None. COMMENTS AND/OR QUESTIONS FROM CITIZENS: Allen Spalt,a member of the CART Committee,thanked Emily Cameron for the excellent staff support that she provided to the group. He mentioned that this group was not antl-golf and,in fact,the golf interest was well represented. The goal of this group was to regulate,not prohibit,golf courses. He requested that the Board of Commissioners seek to repeal the State's preemption provision regarding pesticides. This group had agreed to several provisions which would hav( further protected against the negative effects of pesticides. He felt that this purging was unfortunate and weakened the proposed Ordinance. He stated that there is a real need for voluntary compliance with higher standards. Finally,he mentioned that the Audubon Certification known as"Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System' does not actually place any restrictions on golf course operations. He requested that the Commissioners maintain oversight control. His comments in their entirety are in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's office. Kent Scut commented that he actually had come prepared to discuss the Audubon International Certification. He mentioned that he has had several discussions with Ronald Datsun,with Audubon International,who sent him infomiation, including a video tape. He felt that it was potentially a very good program and requested that the Board of Commissioners