Orange County NC Website
14 <br /> growth and the preservation and protection of agriculture, managed forestry, natural <br /> resources and visual resources. The management of growth and the creation of flexibility for <br /> property owners are also goals of the study. <br /> On November 12, the Committee agreed upon a set of recommendations and presented the <br /> package at the putrlic hearing for comment and feedback. A citizen information session was <br /> held on November 17 to preview the presentation and answer questions from the public. <br /> Sixteen people attended this session. <br /> The Committee's recommendations are included in the "Conceptual Guidelines for Rural <br /> Orange" . A summary sheet of recommendations is also provided. In the package, the Committee <br /> recommends two broad administrative actions to implement their findings. <br /> 1 . The Committee recommends the creation of a Rural Character Element of the <br /> Comprehensive Plan, as allowed under Section 2 of the Zoning Ordinance. This <br /> element would contain the Committee's findings, goals and action strategies and <br /> incorporate them into County policy. <br /> 2. The Committee recommends a series of six development options that serve as a <br /> catalyst for the Committee's program, representing ways to encourage rural <br /> character protection through flexibility and environmentally-sensitive design. <br /> The Committee recommends that these development options be incorporated into the <br /> County Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations - with the creation of a <br /> Rural Orange Design Guidebook as a resource for rural character-enhancing <br /> development. <br /> The development styles represent an attempt to expand upon current standards and <br /> introduce incentives for using new options which result in open space as a part of the <br /> development plan. As a part of the overall strategy, the current zoning density of 40,000 <br /> square feet in most rural areas would be changed to a range of densities from 10,000 square <br /> feet in a planned community to 200,000 square feet in large-lot development. The base <br /> conventional development density would be reduced to 80,000 square feet (1 . 74 acres) . <br /> However, density bonuses, the use of private roads, and in some cases, access to water and <br /> sewer service would be available to those developments which preserve floodplains, wetlands, <br /> natural areas, historic/archaeological sites, farmland, and/or forest land. <br /> Proposals are also made for preparing plans for Rural Crossroads and Rural Community <br /> Centers, including the active participation of community or area residents. <br /> The rural character strategies are presented tonight in concept form as the first step <br /> in the process. Approval of these rural character strategies and development options in <br /> concept form by the Board of Commissioners will provide the basis for preparation of <br /> ordinances and plan amendments to implement the strategies. These amendments will be <br /> presented at a subsequent public hearing, along with the Rural Orange Design Guidebook - <br /> illustrating how to use and apply the development options to protect rural character. <br /> BOB STRAYHORN, a member of the Rural Character Study Committee (RCSC), indicated that <br /> he was a resident of the New Hope Community. He mentioned that although he was interested <br /> in keeping the rural character of the county, compromises must be made. He indicated that <br /> the committee's recommendations offer a way to sell a portion of your land without having to <br /> sell all of it to a developer. It should be the owners option as to how they use their open <br /> space. Incentives are being offered to the land owner which encourage them to set higher <br /> standards for their land. <br /> LIVY LUDINGTON stated that she is working with the Triangle Land Conservancy and is a <br /> member of the RCSC. She stated that the Rural Character Study Committee realizes that the <br /> issues surrounding the use of open space and the concept of a rural village are <br /> controversial . They welcome citizen comment and hope that constructive suggestions are <br /> offered. <br />