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67 <br /> iii. A road constructed to established NC Department of Transportation (NC <br /> DOT) public road standards is required for a project proposing/serving 13 or <br /> more lots or dwelling units. <br /> Roadway development/maintenance issues have recently been discussed through <br /> the prism of emergency vehicle access and public safety concerns. Concerns <br /> range from roadway standards impacting development flexibility, increasing costs <br /> of the project, and long-term maintenance responsibilities for residents. <br /> As part of this discussion we need to remember a suitable road network is <br /> essential to ensure access to proposed lots. This includes access by emergency <br /> vehicles. <br /> b. There is no opportunity to allow for greater density for parcels located within <br /> Watershed Protection Overlay Districts. <br /> c. Large-scale subdivision projects are stymied by existing review processes. <br /> Concerns center on requiring both a rezoning and special use permit (i.e. <br /> Conditional Use permit review process) for a subdivision proposing more than 80 <br /> lots in an urban designated area. <br /> The argument being made is current review processes limit opportunity for large- <br /> scale residential development thereby reducing available housing stock in a given <br /> area and limiting affordable housing options. <br /> OPTIONS: In addressing these matters, staff is reviewing the following: <br /> a. Staff is completing a comprehensive re-assessment of our existing subdivision review <br /> and approval processes and is suggesting consideration of the following: <br /> i. Eliminate the Cluster Development subdivision type, as currently contained <br /> in Section 7.12 of the UDO, and promote the Conservation-cluster Flexible <br /> Development subdivision option as contained in Section 7.13 of the UDO. <br /> Staff believes this would provide additional opportunities for open space <br /> designation and more flexibility with respect to subdivision design. <br /> ii. Revise existing language within Section 7.13.4 (B) (6) of the UDO to include <br /> references to allowing the use of off-site septic for wastewater processing. <br /> This could, in turn, encourage and promote lot size reduction.1° <br /> As staff currently envisions this option, required septic area would become <br /> required open space area. Please note staff is not recommending this area <br /> be counted as part of the mandated 33% minimum open space area <br /> required for the Conservation-cluster Flexible Development subdivision <br /> option. <br /> iii. Revising existing review processes to give greater flexibility to projects <br /> proposing clustering of lots and dedication of open space through the <br /> Flexible Development design process. <br /> 9 Section 6.18 Affordable Housing of the UDO allows for developers to increase allowable density for a given project if <br /> affordable housing is provided. This `allowance' is not applicable in any property located within Water Supply Watershed <br /> areas designated on the Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive Plan. Please note these areas correspond to the Watershed <br /> Protection Overlay Districts as detailed within Attachment 1 of this item. <br /> 10 Please note this proposed modification,as envisioned,will not include allowances for off-site septic for property located <br /> within the University Lake Protected or Critical Watershed Protection Overlay Districts. <br />