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t~~ <br />INTRODUCTION <br />C <br />Orange County, NC probably has one of the most structural planning programs in the <br />state. Its 27-year comprehensive land use plan has been a stalwart growth <br />management plan that focuses urban activities and preserves rural resources. Over the <br />years, the plan has been reinforced with consistent and complimentary layers of <br />planning to ensure anti-sprawl patterns of development. The following 5 land ordinances <br />and multi-parley agreements create a strong and long standing commitment to orderly <br />and compact growth. These planning constructs are durable and only pliable given <br />deliberate government study and. action. <br />Municipalities and their Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction account for only 13% of the county <br />area and with the addition of county urban transition desigriated areas, another 3.7% is <br />added. This relatively limited area is planned to accommodate the housing density and <br />economic intensity to support housing and' jobs to sustain the urban-rural framework of <br />the county. Rural areas account for 83.3% of the county and compliment the overall <br />land use program by providing opportunities for the preservation of water, <br />environmental and agricultural resources. <br />7, LAND USE <br />The Land Use Element (LUE) of the Comprehensive Plan, effective in 1981 serves as a <br />guide and provides a regulatory framework for land use in Orange County's zoning <br />jurisdiction. As set forth in the LUE text and map, Transition Areas (i.e. delineated, <br />mapped areas) created specific areas that would be capable, now or in the future, of <br />accommodating higher density and intensity growth (e.g. public transportation, public <br />water/sewer, jobs, services schools, etc). Within Transition Areas various uses <br />(residential, non residential and institutional) are necessary and anticipated. <br />(see Land Use Element) <br /> <br />