Agenda - 05-19-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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08't -2- Citizen comments were focused almost exclusively on this density question, and opinions were mixed. Most citizens speaking favored returning to a one unit per one acre density. Others spoke in favor of retaining the lower density designations. Attached is a summary listing of the recommended implementation measures of the Rural Buffer Study. We recommend that the Orange County Board of Commissioners accept this study, and direct its staff to pursue the outlined implementation measures. Some of these items will need to be scheduled for consideration at upcoming public hearings. Others will need further study before specific proposals can be made. We note that at the public hearing, the County Attorney indicated legal problems with recommendation #4. He noted constitutional issues that might prevent exemptions for lots created for family members. We believe that further study of this point is appropriate in an attempt to address "family" concerns in some manner. Rural Buffer Zoning Citizen comments focused on whether a one-acre or two-acre minimum lot size is most appropriate in the rural buffer. Comments were mixed; most citizens speaking expressed opposition to the present two-acre minimum. Others expressed support. The staff recommendation at the hearing was to retain the present zoning, requiring a two-acre minimum lot size. We continue to believe that the concept of a rural buffer is critical to the future of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Urban Area. It has been a component of the Orange County Land Use Plan for years, and is the cornerstone of the new Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan. We believe that a 2-acre minimum lot size is critical to the success of the rural buffer concept. (Please see attached 2/8/87 memorandum from Chapel Hill Planning Director Roger Waldon to Orange County Planning Director Marvin Collins) We recommend that the Town Council recommend retention of the existing 2-acre minimum lot size in the rural buffer. Summary We recommend that the Town Council recommend that the Orange County Board of Commissioners take two actions on the rural buffer study: (1) Accept the study; and (2) Direct its staff to pursue consideration of the imple- mentation measures contained in the study, to the extent allowed by law.