Orange County NC Website
FOREWORD <br /> Since December of 1993, a series of meetings, work group sessions, and/or public hearings has been held for <br /> the purpose of finalizing a set of rural character/open space preservation strategies. These meetings are summarized <br /> below: <br /> • December, 1993 - At a work session involving the governing boards of Orange County and Hillsborough, <br /> agreement is reached to establish the University Station Planning Group. <br /> • January, 1994 - Meetings are held in the northern, central, and southern portions of the county to present <br /> alternative rural character preservation strategies. <br /> • January-April, 1994 - The University Station Planning Group completes its work and presents its <br /> recommendations to the Hoard of Commissioners. <br /> • May, 19% -A proposal to creme an Open Space Development Area Land Use Plan category is presented at <br /> public hearing. The proposal also includes its application to the University Station property. <br /> • May, 1994 -A proposal to create an Open Space Development zoning district category is presented at public <br /> hearing. <br /> • June, 19% -A proposal to rezone the remaining portion of the county to require two-acre minimum lot sizes <br /> is presented at public hearing. Citizen comment is also requested on the desirability of clustering, mandatory <br /> open space requirements, and density bonuses. <br /> 0 September, 1994-October, 1995 -The Planning Board reviews all materials/evidence received,including the <br /> Rural Character Study Committee recommendations (January, 1993), and prepares recommendation. <br /> The Planning Staff has reviewed the material produced and/or received, including comments provided by <br /> citizens through township meetings and public hearings.While a variety of approaches and options exist;the three basic <br /> approaches which have been recommended to date include: <br /> • The Rural Character Study Committee ; <br /> • The "Status Quo"; and <br /> • A "Cluster Option" incorporating a mandatory 50% open space requa ment and density limits based on the <br /> carrying capacity of the soils. <br /> In an effort to focus the discussion and"balance" the many interests expressed to date, the Planning Staff has <br /> prepared this proposal which consists of two parts. The first section contains "Goals and Action Strategies" (as <br /> recommended by the Rural Character Study Committee). The second section contains a"Flexible Development" option <br /> which contains the following provi4 ms: <br /> • The existing on -&cre minimum lot size requirement would be retained.. <br /> • The provision of open space would be optional,however,a developer would be required to submit two concept <br /> plans-one for a conventional subdivision and another for a "flmble" or open space subdivision. <br /> • If a Flexible Development option is chosen, at least one-third(33%)of the Ind within a subdivision must be <br /> preserved as open space which may be preserved through: <br /> O An "estate lot" approach where all land is subdivided into lots four (4) acres or greater in size, <br /> building limits(50 96)are established for each lot, and the open space outside such limits is preserved <br /> through restrictive covenants and/or conservation easements; or <br /> Foreword 1 <br />