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62 <br /> developer understands the intent of the Design <br /> Manual and prepares plans which adhere to all <br /> standards. <br /> Collins explained that a plan, once accepted, was <br /> then sent out for agency review and comment. He said <br /> that the approval process was not easy, was not <br /> intended to be, and once responses were received, <br /> staff would be insuring that agency comments were <br /> addressed. <br /> Collins then responded to specific questions of <br /> Commissioner Gordon. In response to the question, <br /> would additional staff be required, the answer was <br /> no. In response to the question, would the staff <br /> need to be trained as architects, the answer was no. <br /> The standards are basic design criteria that <br /> planners deal with on a daily basis. The staff feels <br /> very comfortable in being able to make the judgments <br /> necessary to determine compliance. <br /> The next series of questions concerned amendments to <br /> the Design Manual and its relationship to other <br /> plans and ordinances. Collins indicated that the <br /> Design Manual is a part of the Zoning Ordinance and <br /> would be changed or amended through the same public <br /> hearing process that Zoning Ordinance amendments are <br /> made. <br /> In terms of the Manual being made more concise and <br /> objective, Collins indicated that there was no way <br /> to draft design standards which covered every <br /> conceivable situation. The use of terms such as <br /> "where practical" and "wherever possible" were <br /> deliberate. He cited an example of a site where no <br /> scenic views existed. He noted that there was no <br /> need to require that "access to views be preserved" <br /> when none existed. He explained that the reason for <br /> the site analysis was to determine what features <br /> existed and needed to be addressed. That analysis <br /> provided the developer as well as the staff guidance <br /> in terms of which standards applied and where. <br /> The next series of questions pertained to "costs. " <br /> Collins noted that in terms of water and sewer <br /> service cost, the developer pays for the cost of <br /> installation in accordance with the policies of the <br /> utility provider. The only exception might be where <br /> the developer applies to the County under the terms <br /> of the Water & Sewer Policy for financial assistance <br /> in installation cost. In such situations, the <br /> decision to participate in funding would be that of <br /> the Board of Commissioners. In terms of who would <br /> serve the Buckhorn node, the Commissioners made it <br />