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on <br /> * combining maps to make a single planning/zoning map <br /> * developing a unified development ordinance through the help <br /> of a concerted effort by the Planning staff and the <br /> appointment of a Task Force comprised of some Target Advisory <br /> Group members. <br /> * considering a unified development review process to include <br /> all parties that would need to review a project -- EDC staff <br /> could "walk the project through" to expedite review/approval <br /> * reviewing barriers to concurrent consideration of development <br /> applications <br /> * providing more staff review of development requests and a <br /> staff recommendation for the planning board's review/approval <br /> * reviewing the possibility of adoption after public hearing <br /> instead of regw.ring further review by the Planning Board <br /> * increasing the frequency of public hearings <br /> * establish a process to conduct pre-development conferences <br /> with prospective business clients. <br /> The Agreement will also address the need for a "floating node" where <br /> thresholds will need to be upheld in order for a business to locate. <br /> With these thresholds satisfied, it will be possible for the business <br /> to locate anywhere in the County appropriate for that type of business. <br /> 3) Location and Types of Business -- The Target Advisory Group came to <br /> the conclusion that the most appropriate areas for future business <br /> development are: the interstate corridors, within or near the town <br /> limits of Orange County's municipalities, and in the business nodes <br /> identified in the Orange County Land Use Plan. Each of these zones are <br /> appropriate for certain kinds of development. <br /> The Interstate corridors stood out to the group as one of the most <br /> appropriate locations for major business for several reasons. Among <br /> them are: the proximity to a major transportation route (and the <br /> junction of two interstate highways) , the fact that major businesses <br /> need to have easy access to major highways for transport of supplies <br /> and finished goods, that interstate highways can best transport <br /> employees in our regional labor market without causing traffic <br /> congestion in municipalities, and that the land adjacent to interstate <br /> highways is not considered to be favorable for residential development. <br /> Consequently, the Target Advisory Group recommends that the corridors <br /> be used form businesses that generate truck and employee traffic, work <br /> two or.three shifts, are regional shopping centers, include a major <br /> physicalT.plant, or attract many tourists. <br /> Locating businesses within or near the town limits of the <br /> municipalities makes sense to the Advisory Group since, in many cases, <br /> public utilities are available. This is also viewed as positive since <br /> the existence of business in the Town limits will increase the taxbase, <br /> thereby limiting tax rate increases and limiting increased traffic <br /> congestion since employees can then use alternative forms of <br /> transportation to get to work. Consequently, the Target Advisory Group <br /> recommends that these areas be used for businesses that require public <br /> water and sewer, have low truck traffic, may have a night shift, serve <br /> as regional headquarters, bed and breakfast inns, hotels, home-based <br /> businesses, or do light industrial, local retail, or service work, <br />