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33 <br /> 1-21-93 Final Version <br /> Complicating the task of identifying balanced development options <br /> for Rural Orange the fact that it contains distinct, separate <br /> communities of interest defined both geographically and socially, <br /> spread among seven different townships . There are also rural <br /> communities and crossroads centers, focused on the intersection of <br /> important transportation routes that require differing development <br /> styles and options suited to their unique character. <br /> The most pressing external factor affecting this process is the <br /> mandate by the North Carolina General Assembly to protect water <br /> supply watersheds. More than 60 percent of Orange County is within <br /> water supply watersheds, with part or all of 11 watersheds in the <br /> County. As watershed plans are created in 1993 , they will likely <br /> dictate modifications to the recommended development options . These <br /> modifications may affect the amount of area covered with impervious <br /> surfaces , and densities of development may or may not be altered. <br /> The following development options attempt to shape internal and <br /> external factors into a form that finds the balance and "common <br /> denominator" among competing values. <br /> CATEGORIES OF RURAL ORANGE <br /> In this study, Rural Orange refers to all of the areas designated <br /> in the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan to remain rural <br /> over time, specifically the Rural Residential and Agricultural- <br /> Residential land use categories. These areas consist of farms , <br /> forests and rural subdivisions and are not subject to urban <br /> services . Areas within urban areas, extraterritorial jurisdictions, <br /> and urban transition areas are not a part of this study. <br /> Within Rural Orange, there are two localized types of activity <br /> centers, Rural Communities and Rural Crossroads. The Rural <br /> Crossroads and Rural Community Centers represent different levels <br /> of service provision for rural residents. <br /> Rural Crossroads are locations where one or two neighborhood-level <br /> commercial uses have been established over the years. These areas, <br /> termed "Rural Neighborhood Activity Nodes" in the Comprehensive <br /> Plan, are focused on the intersection of and/or collector roads . <br /> Rural Crossroads generally serve a rural population of less than <br /> 1, 000 persons, and commercial uses in these locations are within <br /> one-fourth mile of the intersections. <br /> Rural Community Centers are similar to Rural Crossroads Centers in <br /> that they are also focused on the intersection of arterial and/or <br /> collector roads. There are important distinctions, however, in the <br /> two types of activity centers. Rural Community Centers, termed <br /> "Rural Community Activity Nodes" in the Comprehensive Plan, have a <br /> greater number of commercial uses, usually within one-half mile of <br /> - • 13 <br />