Minutes 04-07-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Perdita Holtz said if there are material changes to a portion that applies to the Rural Buffer (RB) and Agricultural Support Enterprises, then a joint public hearing would be needed. She said there are examples of material changes included. Commissioner Rich asked if it would be necessary to start the process over again from the beginning to make changes. Perdita Holtz said the current process is that any amendments to the UDO that affect the RB are sent to the Towns for review and comment. She said the Towns are seeking more than comment authority. She said the elected officials seek the ability to approve changes not just town staff. Commissioner porosin asked if Perdita Holtz was presenting the information from the Towns or if she also agreed with the Towns' recommendations and that they should be adopted by the BOCC. Perdita Holtz said this is what the Towns want and what they adopted. She said that all three local governments must adopt the same language in order to amend the agreement. Commissioner porosin asked his fellow Commissioners for their input. He asked if it is recommended by the Planning Department, given their expertise, that the BOCC should adopt the procedure of holding public hearings. He asked for pros and cons. Perdita Holtz said a concern was raised by a Town of Carrboro Alderman. The concern was what happens when Carrboro allows Agricultural Support Enterprises and asks the County to add things after the fact which, given the current wording, can only be reviewed by staff. Perdita Holtz said there was also concern that standards may be changed without elected official review. Commissioner porosin said that changes cannot be made currently, and he did not see how this would be possible in the future. Perdita Holtz said currently the Joint Planning Agreement says the Rural Buffer is only for limited uses, primarily residential. She said the use of Low Intensity Agricultural Enterprises in the RB is being added. Commissioner Jacobs said clustering in not currently in the Rural Buffer. Craig Benedict said yes. He said a five acre density can go down to a two acre lot. Commissioner Jacobs said adopting clustering would involve all three jurisdictions. Craig Benedict said yes. He said zoning lot sizes would have to be studied in the different sections of the Rural Buffer since some are in the University Lake area and some are in the Jordan Lake area. Commissioner Jacobs said adopting the language would not affect the standard. Craig Benedict said that this provision was narrower, pertaining to agricultural uses. He said the BOCC asked for more liberal uses in the Rural Buffer, and the Towns had a counter proposal that said if that is to happen there should be some restrictions regarding agriculture. He said it was an offer of compromise. Commissioner Jacobs said he was the Planning Board Chair when the Joint Planning Agreement was first created. He said originally all three jurisdictions were to approve every development within the Rural Buffer. He said this proved unrealistic and a compromise was reached that placed trust on the County to follow the land use plan that was adopted jointly. He said he finds this change in language not ideal but it fulfills a promise made to the property owners in the Rural Buffer to refine the Joint Planning Agreement to allow them to farm and stay on their land if so desired. He said a bit of restriction on the BOCC seems reasonable if the greater goal is achieved. He added he would like to have a discussion about clustering now that all elected officials are aware of the Rural Buffer and the Joint Planning Agreement that perhaps some of the refining can now be done and make it more viable long term to accomplish its goals. Commissioner Rich said will this be reviewed annually with other elected officials.