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27 <br /> FOREWORD <br /> Since December of 1993, a series of meetings, work group sessions, and/or public <br /> hearings has been held for the purpose of finalizing a set of rural character/open space <br /> preservation strategies. These meetings are summarized below: <br /> • December, 1993 - At a work session involving the governing boards of Orange County <br /> and Hillsborough, agreement is reached to establish the University Station Planning <br /> Group. <br /> • January, 1994 - Meetings are held in the northern, central, and southern portions of the <br /> county to present alternative rural character preservation strategies. <br /> • January-April, 1994 - The University Station Planning Group completes its work and <br /> presents its recommendations to the Board of Commissioners., <br /> • May, 1994 - A proposal to create an Open Space Development Area Land Use Plan <br /> category is presented at public hearing. The proposal also includes its application to the <br /> University Station property. <br /> • May, 1994 - A proposal to create an Open Space Development zoning district category <br /> is presented at public hearing. <br /> • June, 1994 - A proposal to rezone the remaining portion of the county to require two- <br /> acre minimum lot sizes is presented at public hearing. Citizen comment is also requested <br /> on the desirability of clustering, mandatory open space requirements, and density <br /> bonuses. <br /> • July-October, 1994 - The Planning Board reviews all materials/evidence received, <br /> including the Rural Character Study Committee recommendations (January, 1993), and <br /> prepares recommendation. <br /> The Planning Staff has reviewed the material produced and/or received, including <br /> comments provided by citizens through township meetings and public hearings. While a variety <br /> of approaches and options exist, the three basic approaches which have been recommended to <br /> date include: <br /> • The Rural Character Study Committee recommendations; <br /> • The "Status Quo% and <br /> • A "Cluster Option" incorporating a mandatory 50% open space requirement and density <br /> limits based on the carrying capacity of the soils. <br /> In an effort to focus the discussion and "balance" the many interests expressed to date, <br /> the Planning Staff has prepared this proposal which consists of three parts. The first section <br /> contains "Goals and Action Strategies" (as recommended by the Rural Character Study <br /> Committee). The second section contains a "Flexible Development" option which contains the <br /> following provisions: <br /> Foreword 1 <br />