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A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to receive the rezoning petition; refer the matter to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned to the Board of Commissioners no later than January 8, 2009; and adjourn the public hearing until February 3, 2009 in order to receive and accept the Planning Board's recommendation. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 6. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS: Review of Zoning Ordinance Amendments, specifically to the Economic Development Design Manual, to revise existing buffer regulations. Michael Harvey made this presentation. Review of a petition to AMEND the Orange County Zoning Ordinance with respect to landscape standards within the Hillsborough EDD Issue: •Existing EDD landscape regulations do not allow for, or promote, the adaptive reuse of residential structures, •There is no flexibility in current landscape regulations allowing for a smaller buffer when a single-family residence is being used for a non-residential purpose •The required buffer reduces the available land area for the lot, •There is no incentive to preserve or use the existing structures. Proposal: With this amendment, staff is proposing the following: •Include a new landscape standard within the EDD Manual for professional offices proposing to utilize existing single-family residential structures, •Reduce the required landscaped area to twenty (20) feet, •Establish a minimum planting height for such landscaped areas, •Encouraged shared drive-way access and cross easements for shared parking •The amendment would create more useable space, •The reduced buffer would allow for the existing structure to be used for non-residential purposes, •The amendment would make it easier to preserve the aesthetic quality of roadway corridors within the Hillsborough EDD Staff Observations: •This proposal is similar to recent amendments to the Zoning Ordinance establishing the Efland Cheeks Overlay Zoning District (ECOD), •Staff believes we have an opportunity to preserve existing residential structures while allowing for them to be used for non-residential purposes in designated economic development districts. Staff Recommendations: •Receive the rezoning petition, •Conduct the PUBLIC HEARING and accept comments from all interested parties, •Refer the matter to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned to the County Board of Commissioners no sooner than January 8, 2009 S:\Minutes\20091124QPH.doc