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

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I Chair Jacobs referred to the clustering option and thanked the staff for bringing it 2 forward. He said this is a gracious form of sprawl. He said the County loses the capacity to 3 have significant connected open space and smaller yards. He said he has been asking for this 4 for a long time. He said there has been frustration by this, and there has been hesitation to 5 open the discussion about the rural buffer, but he trusts the wisdom of his colleagues. He thinks 6 the County can do a better job, and he thinks this is a step in the right direction. He hopes this 7 goes forward. 8 Alderman Haven O'Donnell referred to the comments by Bolton Anthony. She said there 9 are people in Carrboro that have been there a long time and are discussing an elder co- housing 10 concept. She said this is not possible in Carrboro, as the lots are not large enough. She asked, 11 if this was to go forward, if there would be flexibility for these kinds of special uses. 12 Michael Harvey said his opinion is no, because there would still be a one acre minimum 13 lot size with clustering. 14 Alderman Haven O'Donnell said the County is rapidly approaching a time, with baby 15 boomers retiring, when a wise use of land makes sense. She questioned whether the County is 16 missing an opportunity to purposefully create an environment where transitional and affordable 17 housing would work. 18 Michael Harvey said it would require the efforts of the elected boards to put that type of 19 flexibility in the proposed document. 20 Chair Jacobs noted that the County's minimum lot size is .92 acres. 21 Michael Harvey said there are areas in Orange County where water and sewer are 22 available, and high density projects are encouraged and promoted. He said some of the 23 projects Alderman Haven O'Donnell is suggesting could be developed through established 24 processes; however this cannot be done in the current rural buffer. 25 Commissioner McKee said he supports the plan overall, but his only concern is the one 26 dwelling for every 5 acres in the University Lake Watershed. He said he is concerned about the 27 issue of affordability. He said with this limitation and the land prices in that area, there is no talk 28 of affordable houses — only mansions. 29 Council Member Ward asked for an explanation of why the County could not create the 30 ability to have smaller lot sizes. 31 Michael Harvey said the reason for the lot size requirements is the availability of active 32 repair septic and wells that require a 50 foot setback from structures and septic systems. He 33 said the lot sizes can vary dramatically in areas that have water and sewer. 34 Council Member Palmer said she understands the need for the septic system to support 35 the population. She questioned having the land and clustering the people. She referenced the 36 example of co- housing for the elderly. She said the homes in this setting are more like little 37 apartments that open into common areas. She asked if this would be permitted, as you still 38 have the density. 39 Michael Harvey said there are areas in the County where that concept would work, but 40 this would not work in the rural buffer unless this elected body wants to change this plan. 41 Council Member Palmer asked if this means changing the plan to allow clustering to 42 have lots of half an acre as long as the density is maintained. 43 Michael Harvey said that is one thing that would have to change, but there are many 44 more changes that would have to occur, and he is not prepared to discuss that this evening. 45 Council Member Palmer asked if it is possible in much of the rest of the County. 46 Michael Harvey said yes. He said there are existing subdivision categories that give 47 people the option to go through a process to create exactly what Council Member Palmer is 48 talking about. He said most of these are in areas where water and sewer are available. 49 Alderman Seils said he has concern about any reduction of lot sizes. He said these 50 discussions are describing an urban area, and the purpose of the rural buffer is to not be an 51 urban area. He said he is not interested in changing the rural buffer to an urban area. W