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simply stated, zoning is the division of j r' -ct <br /> different districts and the regulation of population opulat ioe. iito <br /> • buildings and land use intensity, lot coverage, aand nbuilding� <br /> "setbacks within those districts . Most zoning ordinances divide land <br /> uses into three general categories of residential, commercial, and <br /> industrial use and specify the areas (or districts ) where each of <br /> these uses is permitted. <br /> On September 2 , 1981 the County Board of Commissioners adopted a <br /> revised version of the Zoning Ordinance for Orange County. The <br /> Zoning Ordinance currently applies to five townships : Chapel <br /> Eno, Bingham, Hillsborough, and Cheeks . Chapel Hill and Eno Hi <br /> Townships were zoned in 1967 and 1970 respectively. The extension of <br /> zoning to Hillsborough and Bingham Townships was approved on <br /> September 2, 1981 . Zoning was extended to Cheeks Township on October <br /> 1 , 1984 . No proposal exists at this time for extension of zoning to <br /> the two northern townships , Little River and Cedar Grove . <br /> A matrix has been designed to assist decision-makers in comprehending <br /> the relationship between the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive <br /> Plan and the key implementation tool, the Zoning Ordinance. The Land <br /> Use Element categories, as shown on the Land Use Element Map, serves <br /> as the official long range planning guide for the type, density, and <br /> form of land use development in the County. The Land Use Element Map <br /> determines the zoning districts that may be applied to a specific <br /> site within each designated Element area. In the case of activity <br /> nodes, the Land Use Element seeks to concentrate commercial and <br /> industrial development within limited areas . The applied zoning <br /> districts reflect the level of intensity of these activities <br /> permitted in a given node. <br /> The zoning districts applied to each of the Land Use Element <br /> categories as presented in the Land Use Element-Zoning Districts <br /> Matrix are as follows : <br /> COUNTY RESIDENTIAL TRANSITION. Identifies areas changing from rural <br /> to urban in form and density. All densities of residential <br /> development would be appropriate. The applied zoning districts <br /> include : R-1 ( low-density) ; R-2 , R-3, and R-4 (medium densit <br /> R-5 , R-8, and R-13 (high density) residential Y) ; and <br /> uses . <br /> COUNTY COMMERCIAL TRANSITION. Identifies areas changing from rural <br /> to urban in form and density. A full range of intensities of <br /> commercial development would be appropriate. The applied zoning <br /> districts include: LC-1 (Local Commercial) ; NC-2 (Neighborhood <br /> Commercial) ; CC-3 (Community Commercial ) ; GC-4 (General Commercial ) ; <br /> OI (Office and Institutional) ; and ED (Economic Development) . <br /> COUNTY INDUSTRIAL TRANSITION. Identifies areas changing from rural <br /> to urban in form and density. A full range of industrial activities <br /> would be appropriate and allowed. The applied zoning districts <br /> include: I-1 (Light Industrial ) ; 1-2 (Medium Industrial ) ; I-3 (Heavy <br /> Industrial) ; and ED (Economic Development) . <br /> CHAPEL HILL AND CARRBORO TRANSITION. On November 2, 1987, a Joint <br /> Planning Agreement was adopted by Orange County and the Towns of <br /> Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The Agreement became effective on November <br /> 4 . 1-2 <br />