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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY'S PROCEDURE FOR RECEIVING CITIZEN COMMENTS <br /> 1. An item is presented at public hearing. <br /> 2 . Citizens give comments at the public hearing and may <br /> offer written comments to the Board of Commissioners or <br /> the Planning Board up until the time the Planning Board <br /> meets to consider this item. <br /> 3 . The Planning Board considers all comments received at the <br /> public hearing as well as written comments and makes a <br /> recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. <br /> 4 . This item is then placed as a "decision" item on the <br /> Board of Commissioners' regular agenda. <br /> 5. At this meeting citizens attend with the expectation that <br /> their comments will be heard again prior to the vote. <br /> VARIOUS OPTIONS AND PROCEDURES FROM OTHER COUNTIES ARE LISTED <br /> BELOW: <br /> OPTION 1 (Buncombe County) Same as above except that at the time <br /> the item is placed as a "decision" item, the Board holds another <br /> public hearing prior to the vote. <br /> OPTION 2 (Cleveland County) <br /> 1. The first public hearing is held by the Planning Board. <br /> 2 . The item with a recommendation from the Planning Board is <br /> then presented to the County Commissioners. <br /> 3 . The County Commissioners may set another public hearing <br /> if it is a controversial item or they feel they need <br /> additional citizen input. <br /> 4 . If a second public hearing is held, the BOCC may make a <br /> decision or refer it back to the Planning Board for <br /> further deliberation and recommendation. <br /> 5. If the BOCC feel another public hearing is not necessary, <br /> they may go ahead and vote on the item. <br /> OPTION 3 (Guilford County) <br /> Their Planning Board, by Legislative action, has the authority <br /> to rezone property. However, cases must receive a 5/7 vote. <br /> Anything under, and it automatically comes to the BOCC. <br /> Watershed waivers and text amendments automatically come with <br /> the Planning Board's recommendation. <br /> If the Planning Board approves or denies a case, there is the <br /> right of appeal. If appealed, a case is heard by <br /> Commissioners. If not appealed, the decision of the Planning <br /> Board stands. <br />