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. � <br /> 076 1r . <br /> of the applicant. An EIS would require submittal of <br /> an additional document, prepared in accordance with <br /> the Ordinance. In this sense, the EIS can be <br /> considered analogous to a Stormwater Management Study, <br /> or detailed Traffic Study, but could encompass other <br /> areas . When an EIS is required, any other major study <br /> or plan also required would be included as a part of <br /> the EIS, so that only one document would be prepared. <br /> To date, no other local jurisdiction in North Carolina <br /> has adopted and implemented such an ordinance. Staff <br /> has been working with the N.C. Department of <br /> Administration to prepare an ordinance which may be <br /> used as a model for other jurisdictions in the future. <br /> It is the intent of the Planning Department to <br /> minimize the costs and procedural changes necessary to <br /> implement the ordinance. Based on historical research <br /> into the types and complexity of development projects <br /> in Orange County, it is anticipated that the vast <br /> majority of projects for which an EA is required will <br /> result in a FONSI. <br /> Because there is no other ordinance from which to <br /> model the draft, it has become necessary for Planning <br /> Staff to anticipate and develop procedures for the <br /> fine points of implementation. This includes <br /> developing the EA questionnaire, and incorporating <br /> timelines and procedures specified in the <br /> Environmental Policy Act within the existing County <br /> timelines and processes. The intent is to minimize <br /> any impact or cost to the developer. For this reason, <br /> the Planning Staff recommends that the hearing be <br /> continued, so that comments may be received on the <br /> rough draft, and then work commenced towards refining <br /> the requirements. A memo which summarizes the process <br /> and intent of Environmental Review and identifies some <br /> of the areas, requiring further refinement is attached. <br /> RECOMMENDATION: The Administration recommends that the public hearing <br /> be continued to November 28. The comments received at <br /> this hearing will be used in further refinement of the <br /> draft ordinance. <br />