Orange County NC Website
1 <br /> 19 <br /> Collins noted that the comments at the public <br /> hearing were primarily from the Commissioners and <br /> focused on screening; whether or not it could be <br /> provided by the terrain rather than relying on <br /> landscaping. Commissioner Marshall stated that a <br /> substation is an obtrusive use and that the <br /> impacts are different in every case. She felt <br /> that this is a logical use for which to continue <br /> to require a Special Use Permit. <br /> Collins referenced a letter received to day from <br /> the County Attorney indicating that there are two <br /> ways to handle such facilities. Permitting these <br /> uses as a matter of right subject to the <br /> requirement that they meet certain conditions or <br /> the Special Use procedure, which we have now, <br /> which requires an application, a public hearing <br /> and the issuance of an order for the permit. The <br /> County Attorney indicates that he feels to permit <br /> the use by right with required conditions is <br /> preferable. Concerns about compatibility between <br /> electrical substations and other land uses can <br /> best be addressed by more or different conditions <br /> if there is a concern that the conditions <br /> recommended will not adequately protect the <br /> health, safety and welfare. <br /> The Planning Staff is recommending that the <br /> proposed ordinance amendment be approved. <br /> Best asked if the "required" conditions are <br /> included in the Ordinance and Collins responded <br /> yes. Best continued asking if conditions could be <br /> added through a public hearing and the response <br /> was yes. Best noted that since each case is <br /> different, he felt it would be preferable to <br /> retain the Special Use Permit process and attach <br /> conditions to each case as applicable. <br /> Yuhasz indicated he felt the conditions contained <br /> in the proposed ordinance amendment cover the <br /> requirements that one would expect to attach to <br /> such a use and that he felt it was the concensus <br /> of the Ordinance Review Committee that there was <br /> no point to putting each one through the public <br /> hearing process. <br /> Best asked if the Ordinance Review Committee had <br /> reviewed 8,000 sq. ft. or 12,000 sq. ft. Collins <br /> responded that they had reviewed 8,000 sq. ft. <br /> When Piedmont Electric reviewed the amendment, <br /> they indicated that 12,000 sq. ft. would more <br /> adequately address the needs they could have for <br />