Agenda - 05-21-2007-c2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NC Highway 57 Speedway Area Small Area Plan 1 11111 DMA I DMAIKII I I I 1 1 Local residents and Task Force members have expressed concerns about following the existing rezoning and special use permit review and approval process in attempting to address existing, or future, non - residential developments. Specifically, they are not comfortable with the wholesale amendment to the existing zoning district regulations that may allow uses they are uncomfortable with being developed within the Study Area. This concern comes to focus when new non - residential land uses are proposed. During the initial community meetings, local residents informed staff that they wanted more scrutiny of proposed non - residential land uses than was currently afforded under the existing Zoning Ordinance. Local residents indicated that they believed new uses should be considered on an individual, case by case, basis rather than by permitting a uniform general list of uses that have been pre- determined by various advisory board to be acceptable land uses within the Study Area. Rather than a "by- right" rezoning approval, a proposed use may be allowed as a special .use. A property owner /applicant for a Special Use Permit must only demonstrate compliance with existing standards and regulations to justify the issuance of the permit. This process does not afford enough critical examination of proposed development projects or allow the general public to identify issues for the County's consideration in reviewing a proposed development plan. In any case, local residents should enjoy enhanced opportunities for public involvement in determining the viability of proposed land uses prior to the approval of any permit application. A. PROPOSED PROCESS There are several different potential approval processes available for consideration: A) The creation of a new zoning district, B) Amendments to the existing Table of Permitted Uses in the Zoning Ordinance allowing for additional non - residential development in the area subject to the review and approval of a Special Use Permit, and C) An overlay zoning district allowing for additional non - residential development in the area to foster rural economic development activities. The REDA concept would call for the creation of a new zoning district potentially allowing for additional non - residential development on properties identified within the Small Area Plan as being suitable options for such development. This would include the possible development of additional non - residential land uses on existing commercial properties (i.e. the Orange County Speedway, go -kart track, etc.). These uses would be reviewed and approved as Conditional Uses, meaning that applicants would have to request a rezoning, which is a legislative process, to a predetermined zoning district allowing for certain non - residential developments. The applicant/property owner is required to demonstrate compliance with existing conditions, or Wt