Agenda - 11-25-2013 - C1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 As the graphic at the end of the abstract depicts: The goal of the proposed amendment was to create a reasonable balance between supporting home based businesses in the county and protecting the character and enjoyment of residential neighborhoods. Planning Board discussions also reflected the fact that many artist studios are, or can be, considered home occupations; the desire to update regulations to better accommodate artist studios in the county was discussed at the February 2014 BOCC Retreat and at the May 14 work session when "Agricultural Support Enterprises" was presented. The proposed amendments: • Create two categories of home occupations: Minor and Major • Change the existing standards to allow for an increase in the number of square feet that can be used for home occupation purposes, • Increase the number of allowable onsite employees, • Permit larger scale home occupations ("Major") in the Agricultural Residential (AR) and Rural Residential (R-1) zoning districts, and • Allow for the exemption of special events organized or affiliated with a governmental or non- profit agency. The proposed amendments also modify and clarify existing regulations and definitions associated with home occupations. Attachment 1, the Amendment Outline Form approved by the BOCC on September 5, provides additional background information on the proposal. Proposed text amendment language can be found in Attachment 2 within a"track changes"format (red texffor proposed additions and red stFikethmugh for proposed deletions). Additionally, Attachment 3 contains a spreadsheet summarizing proposed revisions to Sections 2.22, 5.3.4, and 5.5.3. Finally, Attachment 5 includes a countywide map identifying parcels greater than five acres in size in the AR (Agricultural Residential) and R-1 (Rural Residential) zoning districts that would allow for a major home occupation. Legal ads for the public hearing were placed in a newspaper of general circulation in the County in accordance with Section 2.8.7 of the UDO. Joint Planning Area (JPA) Agreement The opportunity for comment by the JPA partners (Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro) is required for all UDO text amendments that may affect the RB (Rural Buffer) zoning district. Since "Minor" Home Occupations will continue to be allowed in the RB district and some of the standards for a "Minor" home occupation are changing, the proposed text amendments were submitted to the JPA partners for review and comment on November 7, 2013. To date, no comments have been received. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Consideration and approval will not create the need for additional funding for the provision of County services. Costs for the required legal advertisement will be paid from FY2013-14 Departmental funds budgeted for this purpose. Existing planning staff included in the Departmental staffing budget will accomplish the work required to process this amendment.