Agenda - 09-09-2013 - C1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A To: Orange County Commissioners From: Ronald Keizer, Owner USA Dutch, Inc. USA Dutch, Inc. is pleased to submit this rezoning request in an effort to address a problem with the zoning at our property located at 3604 Southern Drive in Efland. This property was developed for commercial /industrial use by Mr. Sim Efland sometime in the 19$0's or 1960's. We purchased the property in 1993 for the expansion of our metal fabrication business. Our business focuses on making metal. parts that go into a variety of manufactured products including electronics, woodworking equipment, ambulances, and more. We currently have 26 employees working in our 13,000 square foot facility. In March of 2013 we approached the County Planning Department for the purpose of investigating a proposed expansion of our existing business. We learned that our proposed expansion was not feasible given the size and orientation of our property. We were also informed our property was split zoned, with the building zoned I -1 and the land zoned R-1. Though seemingly unusual, we were told by Planning staff that this is not a unique occurrence, and that this situation apparently exists. throughout the County. Apparently, when most of the County was initially zoned, only those portions of a property used in support of commercial/ industrial activities were actually zoned as such. The remaining portion(s) of the property were actually zoned for residential use. Unfortunately for us our parking, septic, and required buffer areas are now located in a residential zoning district. County planning staff have assured us our operation is not in jeopardy of being forced to shut down or cease due to the location of required parking/septic areas on a residentially zoned portion of property. We have been informed, however, that maintenance of these areas will be limited due to the residential zoning designation. According to staff, residentially zoned property cannot be used to support industrially zoned property or activities. As we understand the situation, we could experience difficulty in expanding or making repairs to our septic system, for example, in support of our operation. This of course is untenable, and we respectfully request a zoning change to correct the situation. If approved the rezoning request would accomplish the following: 1. The entire parcel would be zoned I -l. 2. The existing parking and septic areas would be zoned consistent with the existing manufacturing operation, thereby allowing them to be maintained for such purpose.