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3 <br /> PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT <br /> ORDINANCE: SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS <br /> REFERENCE: IV-13-9 Cluster Developments <br /> III-D Approval Procedures for Major Subdivisions <br /> V-A Specifications for Plat Drawings(Concept Plans in Rural Buffer) <br /> ORIGIN OF AMENDMENT: X Staff Planning Board <br /> BOCC Public <br /> Other: <br /> STAFF PRIORITY RECOMMENDATION: X_High Middle Low <br /> Comment: <br /> PUBLIC HEARING DATE: August 26, 1996 <br /> PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT: <br /> To consider an amendment to the Subdivision Regulations applicable in the Rural Buffer, to <br /> allow cluster subdivisions and to specify Concept Plan application and approval procedures. <br /> IMPACTS/ISSUES: <br /> On May 1, 1996, the Board of Commissioners approved Flexible Development regulations to <br /> encourage the preservation of open space in subdivision designs. The flexible development <br /> provisions are applicable in all residential zoning districts except the Rural Buffer. Because the <br /> Rural Buffer is in the Joint Planning Area, application of the flexible development regulations <br /> would have required approval of the governing boards of Orange County, Chapel Hill and <br /> Carrboro. <br /> Prior to adoption of the flexible 'development regulations, Section IV-13-10 consisted of <br /> standards and procedures for cluster subdivisions, and was applicable to all residential zoning <br /> districts. The flexible development provisions superseded the previous cluster subdivision <br /> provisions and they were deleted from the ordinance. Also deleted were the previous <br /> application and approval procedures for Concept Plan, replaced by the flexible development <br /> application and approval procedures. <br /> Deleting the previous cluster regulations had the unintended result of eliminating any provision <br /> for clustering in the Rural Buffer. Until such time as subdivision regulations pertaining to the <br /> Rural Buffer are revised to reflect alternative development strategies such as flexible <br /> development or the previously-recommended rural character strategies, development there will <br /> be limited to conventional subdivision design, with each lot containing a minimum area of two <br /> acres (two acres/five acres in University Lake Watershed). <br />