Orange County NC Website
9 <br /> B. RATIONALE <br /> 1. Purpose/Mission <br /> In accordance with the provisions of Section(s) 2.3 Comprehensive Plan Amendments <br /> and 2.8 Zoning Atlas and Unified Development Ordinance Amendments of the UDO, <br /> the Planning Director has initiated text amendments to the Mobile Home Park <br /> Conditional Zoning District (MHP-CZD) allowing for temporary residential units, <br /> namely Recreational Vehicles (RVs) and units built to an RV Park Model Standard <br /> (e.g. some types of Tiny Homes built on a chassis) and retitling the district Home <br /> Park Conditional Use District (HP-CZD). <br /> 2. Analysis <br /> As required under Section 2.8.5 of the UDO, the Planning Director is required to: <br /> `cause an analysis to be made of the application and, based upon that analysis, <br /> prepare a recommendation for consideration by the Planning Board and the Board of <br /> County Commissioners'. <br /> A Recreational Vehicle (RV) is currently defined within Article 10 of the UDO as: <br /> A self-propelled or towed vehicle, qualified to be licensed by the <br /> appropriate State Agency, and is built on a single chassis, 400 square feet <br /> or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection, providing short <br /> term recreational living accommodations, designed primarily not for use as <br /> a permanent dwelling, but as temporary living quarters for recreational, <br /> camping, travel, or seasonal use. <br /> There has been increased interest in allowing for opportunities for temporary <br /> residential uses within the County. This includes locating tiny homes, built on a <br /> chassis and classified under State building regulations as an RV Park Model, in both <br /> mobile home parks and as standalone uses of property. In some instances, staff has <br /> fielded inquiries from individuals with family members receiving treatment in local <br /> hospitals looking for areas where an RV could be parked to serve as a temporary <br /> residence. <br /> Temporary Residential Units are not currently permitted within mobile home parks as <br /> they do not meet established criteria (i.e. they are not classified as a manufactured <br /> home consistent with HUD standards). <br /> This proposal would establish a revised district that could address many of these <br /> issues and provide options to those looking for temporary housing. This includes <br /> allowing for tiny home structures, constructed on a chassis and meeting the definition <br /> of an RV. The amendment would also provide a mechanism for RVs to be permitted <br /> under certain circumstances within mobile home parks. <br /> Note, most mobile home park projects were developed prior to current zoning <br /> regulations and, as a result, have de-facto zoning approvals. <br /> As with all Conditional Zoning districts the project would involve the negotiation of <br /> design elements between the BOCC and applicant to ensure the viability of the <br /> project. Requests to develop this new district would be reviewed as a rezoning <br /> request (i.e. legislative review) and acted upon by the BOCC in accordance with <br /> 2 <br />