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8 <br />Staff has determined that this proposal is consistent with the intended <br />development activity as outlined within., the. Comprehensive Plan for <br />property(s) located within the Economic Development Activity Node <br />iv. The Orange County Comprehensive. Plan -Section 3.4 - Locational <br />Criteria: <br />As referenced within Section 3.4 of the Comprehensive Plan, applying Land <br />Use Element Categories includes: `making decisions about the most <br />appropriate distribution of land uses throughout the County'. <br />In evaluating the specific locations for various Land Use Element Categories, <br />including Transition Areas and Economic Development Activity Nodes, the <br />Comprehensive Plan established various criteria to `evaluate the suitability of <br />certain locations to contain various: land uses'. Those criteria used to <br />established acceptable location(s) for Transition Areas were as follows: <br />Land Slope. No significant slope or topography problem that would <br />unreasonably increase the cost of extending water and sewer lines. <br />HydroloQ-y. Located outside of 100 year flood prone areas as identified by <br />the Corps of Engineers. <br />Flora and Fauna. Located away from sites that would, if developed, create <br />a threat to unique or endangered species as identified by the state or <br />federal government. <br />Soil Conditions. Located in areas where general soil conditions are <br />suitable for urban uses because of good drainage characteristics and load <br />bearing capacity for site development. <br />Public Services/Utilities. Located in areas which are or could be <br />reasonably and e~ciently served by centralized public services and <br />utilities. <br />Transportation System. Located in areas that have very good road access, <br />as well as service by rail lines. These areas should have the most <br />complete transportation network in the County's planning jurisdiction. <br />Energ~Use. Located within less than a 5 minute commuting time from <br />small-scale commercial uses and a 5-10 minute commuting time from <br />major commercial uses or an Urban area. <br />Existing Land Use. Located in areas which are in transition from rural or <br />low-density uses to urban or higher density uses. <br />Agriculture and Forestry. Located away from areas where development <br />would have a detrimental impact on productive agricultural uses and <br />managed forest land. <br />