Orange County NC Website
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT <br /> ORDINANCE: ZONING ORDINANCE <br /> REFERENCE: ARTICLE 8 SPECIAL USES <br /> ORIGIN OF AMENDMENT: Staff Planning Board <br /> BOCC Public <br /> _x_ Other: County Attorney <br /> STAFF PRIORITY RECOMMENDATION: _X High Middle Low <br /> PUBLIC HEARING DATE: May 31, 1995 <br /> PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT: To consider a proposed amendment- to the Zoning <br /> Ordinance which would clarify who bears the burden <br /> of proof in the consideration of Special Use <br /> Permits. <br /> IMPACTS/ISSUES: The proposed amendment was initiated and drafted <br /> by the County Attorney to clarify which parties <br /> bear the burden of proof in the consideration of <br /> Special Use Permits. <br /> The proposed amendment would make it clear that <br /> the applicant has a burden to show that value of <br /> contiguous property would be maintained or <br /> enhanced if the Special Use Permit were approved, <br /> and that the use would be in compliance with the <br /> Comprehensive Plan. These two items are fact <br /> specific and can be readily established by <br /> evidence available to the applicant when the <br /> application is submitted. <br /> On the other hand, although the applicant can be <br /> required to show in general that the use will <br /> maintain or promote the public health, safely and <br /> general welfare, the applicant cannot be expected <br /> to anticipate every specific health, safety and <br /> welfare problem. Opponents to the request have <br /> the burden of proof in establishing that the <br /> Special Use would be injurious to some specific <br /> aspect of health, safety and general welfare. <br /> EXISTING ORDINANCE PROVISIONS AND PROPOSED AMENDMENT: <br /> 8.2.1 Before any application for a Special Use shall be <br /> approved: <br /> a) The applicant shall have the burden of establishing, <br /> by competent material and substantial evidence, the <br /> existence of the facts and conditions which this <br /> ordinance requires for approval; and <br />