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to <br />the Town of Hillsborough on a Strategic Growth Plan for Hillsborough and areas of <br />Orange County along the Hillsborough fringe. <br />"Public" -Why did the county hire a consultant? <br />Mr. Benedict, Planning Director -The County Commissioners asked for a <br />comprehensive review of various subjects discussed in the plan. Everything was done <br />independently by staff and advisory boards and therefore we do not have similarity in <br />structure of studies and reports. The consultant was hired to standardize and synthesize <br />the plan. However, the plan is more a product of advisory boards and staff than the <br />consultant. <br />Mr. Alfieri -The original proposal to County Commissioners did not involve use of a <br />consultant. The process was going to take 3 years and County Commissioners wanted a <br />shortened Timetable. The consultant helps meet this deadline. <br />"Public" -The County Commissioners are probably voting as early as August. Are parts <br />of the plan expected to change between now and then? What's still up for revision? <br />Mr. Alfieri A lot of changes have been recommended so there will be lots of changes <br />between drafts. The plan needs editing for readability and flow and the consultant will <br />now be asked to do that. Changes will be tracked for the public. <br />"Public" -Have you gotten public input that are specific issues? Are there things that <br />have come up from public input that are now being reconsidered? <br />Mr. Altieri -Public input is expected at our Countywide Meetings and at the public <br />hearing. A lot of input is already reflected in the draft as a result of prior public input <br />meetings. <br />"Public" -The BOCC is a governing body and is changing in November. If there is an <br />approval of the Comprehensive plan can the.BOCC ignore the plan? Is the plan legally <br />binding? <br />Mr. Altieri -The plan is not a regulatory document it's a policy guide. Hope they would <br />not adopt a plan they don't intend to implement. The plan is not legally binding. <br />"Public" - It takes several years to change ordinances. Do you expect the BOCC to <br />actually try to make decisions consistent with the plan? Is there buy in from the <br />commissioners? <br />Mr. Altieri -The commissioners have buy into the process and the role of advisory <br />boards. The document has only been available since March so we will have to wait to see <br />if they will have buy-in. <br />