Agenda - 02-20-2007-9a - Laserfiche WebLink

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_; (0 TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH-ORANGE COUNTY AREA COORDINATED PLANNING AREA ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING STAFF COMMENTS (2007) Introduction Preparation of the Town of Hillsborough-Orange County Area Strategic Growth Plan has been underway for the past year and is nearing completion. Defining an urban growth boundary for the Town has been paramount, but future development in the abutting areas where water and sewer will not be extended has been discussed extensively too. Creation of a Coordinated Planning Area for these peripheral areas has been recommended. Town of Hillsborough-Orange County Coordinated Planning Area Atown 'and county can set the limits of expansion of an urban area that match existing resources and proposed infrastructure such as water, sewer, and roads while balancing tho quality of life sought by area residents, whether it be preservation of historic character, small town charm or other attributes. Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement Adoption of the Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement (WSMPBA) by Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and OWASA on December 3, 2001 further strengthened the `rural perimeter' concept by designating these peripheral areas and watershed areas around urban areas as Long-Term Interest Area. The agreement goes on to state, "The development of land within interest areas is not projected to occur at urban densities, and therefore, public water and sewer service shall be prohibited in these areas, except as provided in this agreement." Preparation of the Hillsborough-Orange County Strategic Growth Plan provides an opportunity to test the concept of a Coordinated Planning Area. The study area for the Strategic Growth Plan in part seeks to redefine the Hillsborough Primary Service Area as defined in the WSMPBA to match it's resources and to also control peripheral growth beyond that public water sewer area.' Criteria for Coordinated Planning Area Possible criteria for defining a Coordinated Planning Area include: 1. Areas not served by water and sewer. 2. Outside Hillsborough urban and urbanizing area (i.e., town limits, ETJ, and transition areas). 3. Coterminous with Rural Buffer (Joint Planning Area) to the south. 4. Contained within the Eno watershed. 5. Includes major Public Interest District areas (Eno River State Park and Duke Forest holdings) and high priority County environmental holdings.* 6. Eastern boundary from recommendations in Stoney Creek Small Area Plan.* 7. Environmental features such as ridge lines, water bodies used where possible; also roads used in some areas.* 8. Wildlife corridors identified in Land Use Element used in some areas. Page 2of3