Agenda - 10-05-94 - VIII-H - Laserfiche WebLink

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Sep. 9 '94 12:03 ENT LAND SURVEYS, INC. FAX 919-644-1177 P. 1 5 Memo To: Moses Carey Alice Gordon Steve Halkiotis Verla Insko Don Wilhoit From: Steve F. Yuhasz Date: August 22, 1994 Subject: August 22, 1994 Public Hearing Item C.I.a I am in favor of the proposed changes. Item C.1.b I am in favor of the proposed changes. Item C.1.c,d The proposal to create Economic Development Districts was founded in the universally acknowledged perception (as identified in the discussions leading to the adopted Strategic Plan, and incorporated therein)that the lengthy approval process for non-residential developments discouraged the location of appropriate commercial/industrial projects within Orange County. The Target Advisory Group was created and charged with identifying specific areas in the county,and uses within those areas,which would be suitable for an expedited review process, The TAG did identify appropriate areas,and also determined that selecting specific uses was impractical. The TAG chose as an alternative to support performance standards as the best method to insure the type of development Orange County desires. The Planning Department, assisted by the Economic Development Commission,then formulated performance standards which answered the concerns citizens of the county might have as to the adverse impacts of any specific development proposal. Only by meeting the performance standards would an expedited approval be offered. The proposed ordinance changes attack the concept of Economic Development Districts in the most fundamental way-they eliminate expedited review. It seems premature to revise and retrench before we have had the opportunity to determine if the adopted standards will operate as designed. A Special Use Permit approval process or a public Site Plan approval process would make the EDD performance standards an added layer of regulation. (Clearly not what was intended) The adoption of the Economic Development Districts has been seen as a promise that Orange County is interested in helping new businesses locate here. Any action by the Commissioners to change the basic standards under which the EDD is to operate will make that promise a lie.