Agenda - 06-03-2014 - 7c - Laserfiche WebLink

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15 PAGE 82 — JPA LAND USE PLAN Protection Areas, Public- Private Open Space Areas, Rural Residential and Agricultural Areas, Retail Trade Areas, Extractive Uses, and the overlay category designated University Lake Watershed Area. Resource Protection Areas As was the case with Transition Areas, Resource Protection Areas have been designated on the Land Use Plan to include flood plains, and wetlands along drainage tributaries and steep slope areas (15% or greater). These areas form the basis for a comprehensive parks and open space system which provides the framework within which other land use categories are to function. Parks have been generally located throughout the Joint Planning Area using a neighborhood park one -half mile service radius. The parks, as well as portions of Duke Forest, are linked together by a system of greenways extending along drainageways, and pedestrian routes (sidewalks) along thoroughfares. Public /Private Open Space Areas Major land areas owned or controlled by both public and private interests in the Joint Planning Area have been designated on the Land Use Plan. These areas include the following: 1. Duke Forest; 2. University of North Carolina lands (excluding Horace Williams Airport and adjacent properties); 3. U.S. Government lands associated with conservation areas around the Jordan Lake Reservoir; 4. Orange Water and Sewer Authority lands associated with conservation areas around University Lake and raw water storage in the former quarry site on NC Highway 54: and 5. Camp New Hope conference and recreational center. A Public /Private Open Space Area has also been designated along Interstate 40 to recognize the Major Transportation Corridor (MTC) district established to provide a 100 -foot buffer along that route. The Plan recommends utilization of portions of the buffer to link proposed park and greenway areas together. While the status of such holdings as Duke Forest, UNC lands and Camp New Hope is uncertain in the future, their continued existence appears likely during the planning period. This is due to the research, educational, forest management and recreational functions related to such areas. If decisions are made to change the use of such large tracts of land, negotiations should be initiated to secure the use of all or portions of the tracts for recreation and /or open space purposes. Such areas contribute greatly to the natural setting of the Joint Planning Area and every effort should be made to retain such features. New Hope Creek Corridor Open Space Areas include some of the Resource Protection Areas and a portion of the Public /Private As previously indicated, County governments do not have the authority to restrict the location of agricultural activities. Agricultural activities, as defined within State law, are allowed in all areas that are subject to this Plan. Staff is clarifying existing language accordingly and eliminating references to 'Agricultural Areas' as being a separate Plan land use category and combining it with the Rural Residential Land Use Category.