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amendment to clarify what the County can and cannot regulate, specifically that County <br /> standards are not applicable where there is a State or Federal regulation, and also to provide a <br /> historical synopsis of the review and adoption of the major transportation corridor, the MTC <br /> Overlay District, with specific focus on the rationale behind the County's approach to billboard <br /> regulations. Further, the Board voted unanimously for the staff to engage in dialogue with <br /> NCDOT to get more information on the regulation of digital billboards. This information is still <br /> pending. In talking with representatives of NCDOT, he said that NCDOT's stance has not been <br /> to allow existing non-conforming billboards or any billboard within the MTC to be replaced with <br /> digital billboards. County staff will bring forward an amendment to the sign ordinance to <br /> address some of the concerns referenced in the work session. As soon as NCDOT provides a <br /> written response, this will be provided to the Board of County Commissioners. The proposed <br /> amendment is to Article 9 to an existing reserve section that stipulates that any time there is a <br /> conflict between State and Federal law with respect to the regulation of outdoor advertising, that <br /> the State and Federal law will take precedent. In cases where there is no standard or there is <br /> no conflict, local regulation will take precedent. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs' written comments: "I have two concerns that I hope are <br /> either addressed elsewhere in our sign ordinance or will be acknowledged as matters to be <br /> addressed later. <br /> First, it remains unclear whether Orange County residents and passing motorists are <br /> protected from the distractions and extraordinary illumination of digital signs. This is <br /> increasingly an issue in other jurisdictions around the country, but it is not yet addressed here <br /> as far as I can tell. <br /> Second, I hope we somewhere add an encouragement to owners of existing illuminated <br /> billboards to switch as soon as practicable to solar-powered lighting. Staff recently presented <br /> materials on such lighting to representatives of NCDOT. <br /> Also, on page 2 of this abstract, on the second line of the paragraph that begins `The <br /> rationale for this amendment,' the appropriate word is `expeditious,' not `expedient,' which has <br /> an implication of facile convenience rather than speed." <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Nelson <br /> to refer the matter to the Planning Board with a request that a recommendation be returned to <br /> the Board of County Commissioners in time for the February 16, 2010 BOCC regular meeting; <br /> and adjourn the public hearing until February 16, 2010 in order to receive and accept the <br /> Planning Board's recommendation and any submitted written comments. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 3. Telecommunication Wireless Support Structures (Telco Towers): To receive public <br /> comments on the proposal by the County to use certain County properties as potential <br /> sites for Telco Towers. The process to enroll these sites as part of the zoning code's <br /> Master Telecommunications Plan (MTP) does not require a formal public hearing. <br /> However, since possible future tower development to serve the needs of public safety, <br /> information technology, and economic development on behalf of citizens and <br /> businesses, Orange County is bringing this provision forward for public discussion. <br /> Craig Benedict made a PowerPoint presentation. <br /> Designation of Specific Public Sites to be part of the County's Master <br /> Telecommunication Plan <br /> November 23, 2009 <br /> S:1Minutes12009 1 1 23 QPH.doc <br />