Minutes 05-16-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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15 Whereas, the Triangle J Council of Governments is seeking Economic Development District (EDD) designation for the Triangle J Region planning area through the United States Economic Development Administration; and Whereas, the designation of the Triangle J Region planning area as an EDD will further the community and economic development interests of the seven-county region and greatly enhance implementation of our regional CEDS by coordinating efforts to create jobs, build an entrepreneurial economy and attract reinvestment in communities throughout our region — large, small, urban and rural; Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners, as duly elected and authorized representatives of the people of Orange County, do hereby support the designation of the seven-county Triangle J Region planning area, comprised of Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, and Wake counties and their municipalities, as an Economic Development District through the U.S. Economic Development Administration. A motion was made by Commissioner Burroughs, seconded by Commissioner Rich for the Board to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution. VOTE: UNANIMOUS 5. Public Hearings a. Amendment to the Educational Facilities Impact Fee Ordinance and Repeal of Related Resolutions The Board held a public hearing, closed the public hearing, and considered an amendment to the Educational Facilities Impact Fee Ordinance to reinstate the impact fees to the level those fees were imposed up to June 30, 2016. John Roberts reviewed the following information: BACKGROUND: On November 15, 2016 the Board of Commissioners amended the Ordinance by modifying the impact fee amounts, adding provisions for reduced Impact Fees for smaller sized single family dwellings (under 800 square feet in size) and for age restricted (senior) units. On December 13, 2016 the BOCC adopted a Resolution Regarding Grandfathering of Projects for School Impact Fee Collection Purposes. This Resolution was amended on April 4, 2017. On March 20, 2017 House Bill 406 ("HB406") was filed in the House in response to an Orange County resident's concerns about the fairness of the amended Ordinance. If it passes, HB406, which specifically targets Orange County, will strip the County of its authority to levy impact fees. On March 22, 2017 House Bill 436 ("HB436") was filed in the House. Although originally HB436 was similar to HB406 in that it would strip the County of its impact fee levying authority, HB436 was amended by rolling back all impact fees to the amount of those fees on June 30, 2016, imposing a one year moratorium on the ability of local governments to increase impact fee amounts, and appointing a committee to study impact fee authority. In light of the action by the General Assembly on HB436 staff recommends the Board of Commissioners: