Agenda - 03-10-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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lemmm 8 Roger Waldon, Chapel Hill Planning Director, presented Chapel Hill 's perspective on Rural Buffer issues. Waldon began his presentation by commending the Orange County Planning Department on the Rural Buffer Study document. He indicated that he felt the policy analysis is one of the key points of the Rural Buffer Study which discusses the key issues and offers some good policy recommen- dations. He stated that from a staff perspective, Chapel Hill is in support of the recommendations as presented by Collins and that adoption of those recommendations would achieve the successful implementation of the Rural Buffer concept. Waldon stated that the Chapel Hill Land Use Plan and the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan have as a foundation the concept of a fixed urban area surrounded by a low-density rural buffer. He indicated that such a concept would encourage urban development to occur in areas which can be most easily served by the urban services it will require. Such plans preserve the low-density nature of Central Orange County. Waldon listed four points in answer to the question of "Why a 2-acre minimum lot size?" 1) When water and sewer are extended, development at urban type intensity occur; 2) the concept of a low-density rural buffer demands that water and sewer not be extended into the Rural Buffer; 3) a two-acre minimum lot size will insure that water and sewer are not extended, that the character of Central Orange County will be preserved and that ample land would be available for individual wastewater disposal systems now and in the future; 4) a minimum lot size requirement of one-acre would create a sprawling development pattern at such a density which would demand urban services. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mary Ellen Priestly stated that she and her husband had been property owners and taxpayers in Orange County since 1972 . She noted appreciation for being able to live in a rural setting with trees and wildlife. She expressed concern with the impact that will be created by the opening of I-40. She encouraged maintaining the rural atmosphere of those rural areas of the county. She continued citing examples of the loss of rural communities she had witnessed in other areas. She encouraged the control of growth and she felt that the creation of the Rural the two-acre minimum lot size to be a good step forward in this effort. and John F. Sherron asked that the reduction of the minimum lot size requirment be reduced to one acre. Clara P. Trice also indicated the desire for a one-acre minimum lot size.