Agenda - 02-18-2016 - E1 - Review of Minimum Lot Size and Density Allowances for Subdivisions

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68 Under this scenario staff is envisioning classifying subdivisions into 2 categories: Standard and Flexible Development with classification of same as follows: a. Standard Subdivision: Minor and Major subdivision thresholds remain the same as detailed in Section 7.2 of the UDO. b. Flexible Development: Minor and Major thresholds modified as follows: 1. Minor (i.e. staff review and approval) between 1 to 12 lots; 2. Major (i.e. BOCC review and approval with Planning Board recommendation): 13 or more. iv. Staff suggests the Village Flexible Development, contained in Section 7.13.4 (C), become a Conditional Zoning district allowed within Transition Areas and Rural Neighborhood Nodes as denoted on the FLUM (Attachment 1). We believe this will provide additional opportunities for such projects to be developed and allow for a process where the BOCC and the applicant have some flexibility to work on site specific development proposals. b. Staff is continuing to re-evaluate existing roadway development requirements as contained in Section 7.8.5 of the UDO. This review includes continued discussion amongst local volunteer fire departments and Orange County Emergency Services. To date, staff has not made a determination as to the anticipated direction of our review and would appreciate any guidance from the BOCC. c. Staff is evaluating the development of a Rural Master Plan Development Conditional Zoning District (RMP-CZ) to afford the BOCC and applicants greater flexibility in addressing residential development in rural areas. As currently envisioned the RMP-CZ would provide a mechanism where residential developments in the rural areas of the County could develop a project with greater flexibility with respect to minimum lot sizes and cluster options as a uniform project. The main difference between this envisioned district and the Village Flexible Development option is the RMP-CZ would not allow for non-residential land uses. As with all Conditional Zoning districts the project would involve the negotiation of design elements between the BOCC and applicant to ensure the viability of the project. The RMP-CZ would be reviewed as a rezoning request (i.e. legislative review only) and acted upon by the BOCC in accordance with Section 2.9.2 of the UDO. Staff is not suggesting modification of existing density allotments, as contained in Section 4.2.4 of the UDO, unless specific direction is received to do so. Changing density allowances for RB zoned property will only be possible with the amendment of the Joint Planning Land Use Plan and Agreement. Please also note none of the proposed modifications being investigated by staff will include impacts to the RB general use zoning district. In order to change density or minimum lot sizes for this area of the County the Joint Planning Land Use Plan and Agreement will have to be amended, requiring the approval of all participating entities (i.e. Orange County, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro) after a joint public hearing.