Minutes 02-13-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 a composting toilet, and gas cooking and heating capability; could one park in the RV lot without connection and not violate the UDO. Patrick Mallett said from the Planning perspective, there would need to be a plan indicating that this was a temporary residential unit. He said if a unit is off the grid, the classification defers to whether the electrical and composting toilet would match up with Environmental Health and building code requirements. Commissioner Marcoplos said the utility connection is not the only determining factor. Patrick Mallet said it goes back to specifics of building and health codes. Commissioner Price referred to page 51, section 2-C, which states: "no permanent mobile homes or temporary residential units, or other accessory structures shall be permitted within a home park space." She asked if this means there can be no temporary residential units. Patrick Mallett said permanent and temporary structures cannot be located on the same lot. Commissioner McKee said the wording is awkward. PUBLIC COMMENT Tom Pritchard thanked BOCC for their questions about this topic. He said his parents founded Spring Hill Park in 1972, which currently houses RVs mostly. He said the Orange County Visitors Bureau has worked with his park for many years, and the park has done much good over the years. He said many people have come to the area to receive health treatment, and have moved into his park during their time here. He said some people stay longer than 180 days. He said the amount of income that this brings into the County is noteworthy, and his park uses significantly less water than a mobile home park. He said his park is clean, safe and quiet, offering a place where people can feel comfortable surrounding medical treatments. Planning Board Chair Lydia Wegman said a great deal of thought went into the recommendations from the Planning Board. Commissioner Marcoplos read a letter from resident below: Hi, My name is April Kemper. I live and work in Chapel Hill. I've been following the tiny house movement for years now. Like Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County, other communities are trying to provide affordable, energy efficient, sustainable housing for their residents. Tiny houses on wheels are one way to provide such housing. I would be happy to sit down with the Orange County Planning Staff to share what I have learned from other communities who have made tiny houses an option for their residents by revising their local zoning and building codes. Thank you for considering another affordable housing option for our community. Commissioner Price reiterated that section 2-C on page 51 was ambiguous. Patrick Mallett said this section can be stricken. Commissioner Rich said this is a good start, with solutions for RV homes. She said she would like to examine the tiny home trend a bit more, along with County ordinances. She said tiny homes could be a viable option for affordable housing, and she does not want to miss it. Patrick Mallett said this is one part of the discussion, and it should continue more completely. He said more thought needs to be given to a tiny home definition. Commissioner Rich said all options should be explored. Commissioner Marcoplos said it is interesting to hear that there are people who stay longer than 180 days, and this information should be passed onto State representatives with the intent that exceptions might be given for medical situations.