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40 <br /> GOAL 4: MANAGE GROWTH WHILE PROTECTING RURAL CHARACTER <br /> Growth management is often misunderstood and thought of as a <br /> concept that means "no growth". However, all cities and <br /> counties practice growth management in some fashion.If growth <br /> management is balanced withfa# '`':".:`e % ! .;.Y; <br /> :. <br /> fights and a long-term vision of the future, it can discourage <br /> poorly-planned urban expansion, as well as subdivision sprawl <br /> along rural roadsides. <br /> Arendt Comment: Add highlighted wording. <br /> ACTION STRATEGIES <br /> Strategies recommended for managing growth to protect rural character include the following: <br /> 1. Create Flexible Development options that manage growth by encouraging the creation of open space <br /> developments that enhance efficient service provision and discouraging environmentally destructive and <br /> costly forms of"rural sprawl" such as new lots created in "cookie cutter" fashion along rural roadways. <br /> 2. Link rural character preservation efforts to other County goals and programs. Specifically, acknowledge <br /> that protecting rural character may also enhance watershed protection,the creation of agricultural districts, <br /> future transit corridor creation, and more cost-efficient infrastructure and services for rural and urban <br /> residents. <br /> 3. Recognize long-term land stewardship efforts by rural landowners,and communicate their needs and rights <br /> to the county's urban officials. <br /> 4. Continue to pursue cooperative planning efforts between urban and rural areas to insure rural involvement <br /> in planning for areas likely to experience future urban expansion. These efforts should be guided by past <br /> efforts such as the Orange County-Chapel Hill-Caffboro Joint Planning Area and the New Hope Corridor <br /> Master Open Space Plan. Long-term planning efforts are also recommended in the future with the Town <br /> of Mebane and the City of Durham. <br /> 5. Promote"grassroots'planning efforts in rural areas, such as the Efland Area Study,the Pantry Area Study, <br /> and other similar community plans. The importance of citizen involvement in creating a "vision" for their <br /> community should be stressed. <br /> 6. In conjunction with other county and/or Research Triangle communities, pursue a vision of growth <br /> management which recognizes that the region is bound together geographically, economically, culturally, <br /> and in quality of life. The proposed "Shaping Orange County's Future" initiative is an example of such a <br /> study. <br /> 7. Following implementation of Flexible Development options, prepare an annual report for the Board of <br /> Commissioners and Planning Board evaluating the impact of such options on the management of growth <br /> in rural areas and the need for additional development strategies. <br /> Goals&Action Strategies 6 <br />