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1 035 <br /> ZONING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS <br /> 1 . WHAT IS ZONING? <br /> Zoning is the division of a county or city into <br /> districts for the purpose of regulating the use of private <br /> land . These districts, or zones, are shown on a map . Within <br /> each of these districts the text of the zoning ordinance <br /> specifies the permitted uses, the required distance of <br /> buildings from property lines, .the number of off-street <br /> parking spaces and other prerequisites to obtain permission <br /> to develop. The primary objective is to protect residential <br /> areas from commercial and industrial encroachment . <br /> 2 . HOW IS IT APPLIED? <br /> Zoning is applied in conformance with the Adopted Land <br /> Use Plan . The plan identifies those areas most suitable for <br /> residential , commercial , industrial , and agricultural use. <br /> 3 . WHAT IS A LAND USE PLAN? <br /> The Land Use Plan is a statement of the county ' s goals, <br /> policies, and recommendations regarding future land <br /> development. As an official public document adopted by the <br /> Board of County Commissioners, it reflects general county <br /> consensus about how, when, and where the county should <br /> encourage or discourage future development and is embodied in <br /> both map and text form. When, and if , the Land Use Plan is <br /> translated into regulations, it is usually through a zoning <br /> ordinance. <br /> A key feature of the Orange County Land Use Plan is the <br /> creation of activity nodes . These are areas around major <br /> road intersections in the county that are considered most <br /> appropriate for certain commercial and industrial uses. <br /> 4 . WHO ADMINISTERS ZONING? <br /> Day to day administration is the responsibility of the <br /> Planning Department. Initial questions about procedure, <br /> initiation of applications for special use permits and <br /> rezoning, and the issuance of other permits begin with the <br /> department. <br />