Agenda - 10-18-94-IX-A - Laserfiche WebLink

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36 Adopted 8/17/93 Draft Revision 8/10/94 WATERSHED PROTECTION GOAL: B PLEMENT WATERSHED PROTECTION STANDARDS AND CLASSIFICATIONS TO INSURE HIGH QUALITY WATER RESOURCES IN ORANGE COUNTY STATUS REPORT This initiative has been completed and represented the continuation of an objective included among the Commissioners' goals for FY 1992-93, implementation of the State-mandated watershed protection standards and classifications in Orange County.The initiative also required the zoning of the two northern townships -Little River and Cedar Grove.This initiative carried over into FY 1993-94 due to the amount of staff time required to address issues related to the completion of rural character strategies and economic development district proposals. Completion of this initiative resulted from adoption of proposed watershed protection standards and classifications in December, 1993 by the Board of Commissioners. No further work is required other than the reconsideration of some standards which may limit development of lots created prior to adoption of the standards.Proposals related to this initiative were presented at public hearing in February, 1993,but the Board of Commissioners elected not to pursue a"grandfather"provision for existing lots of record. Because of continuing citizen concerns,the Board of Commissioners has asked staff to evaluate various options available to address these concerns. BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Following adoption of preliminary watershed classifications by the Environmental Management Commission(EMC) in May, 1991, the Planning Staff assembled a report for the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners which identified the implications for Orange County.Although the EMC held a public hearing on the proposed standards and classifications in August, 1991,it held the public hearing open for written comments until the end of October. Following a local public hearing in August, the Board of Commissioners adopted a position statement on the proposals and submitted it to the EMC before the deadline.In February, 1992,the EMC adopted final watershed standards, and in May, 1992, approved watershed classifications, including those applicable to Orange County. To implement this objective, local (Orange County) ordinances were presented at public hearing in August, 1993. The ordinances were adopted by January 1, 1994,the deadline for counties in North Carolina.Associated with this objective were community meetings in Little River and Cedar Grove townships which had to be zoned to apply the watershed standards. The steps taken to complete this objective are listed on the accompanying Plan of Action. RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS Completion of this goal involved the following commitment of staff resources: Planning Director Planner III/Current Planning Supervisor Planner II/Land Use & Environment Planning Interns (3) Data was not compiled concerning staff hours expended and costs associated with completion of this goal.