Agenda - 05-04-2006-5i - Laserfiche WebLink

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At the November 21, 2005 Public Hearing, the BOCC referred this item to the Planning Board and to the Department of Social Services to determine if there may be any unintended consequences of these proposed actions on County services. Nancy Coston, the Director of the Orange County Department of Social Services, reviewed the proposed zoning ordinance revisions. (Please refer to the attached letter from Ms. Coston to the Planning Director) As per her attached letter, Ms, Coston does not see any negative consequences associated with the revisions, and feels the revisions will serve to create common language between the zoning regulations and the state licensing standards her department must enforce. PROCESS AND ACTIONS: Proposed ordinance amendments were presented at the November 21, 2005 Quarterly Public Hearing and referred to the Planning Board and the Department of Social Services for a recommendation to be returned to the BOCC. The Planning Board held its regularly scheduled March 1, 2006 meeting and made a recommendation to the BOCC. The Planning Board issues were: What discretion the Zoning Enforcement Officer would use in determining a disrupticn to residential neighborhoods, This is a requirement in the current ordinance; historically there has been no problem or issues with this provision. • What is the knowledge and qualifications of the Zoning Enforcement Officer to determine the "moral welfare" of the children, as the existing ordinance now requires. Social Services staff maybe befter qualified to make this determination and the Zoning Enforcement Officer would refer any questionable performance to the appropriate departments. Discussed whether gates to play areas should be self-closing and self-latching. This is a new recommendation in the proposed ordinance. The Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed text amendments provided that Sue Russell, Director of Child Care Services, and Michelle Rivest, Director of Smart Start, be in accord with Nancy Coston's letter. Assistant County Manager Harvey provided a memorandum to address concerns of the Planning Board regarding consultation with Ms. Russell, Director of Child Care Services and Ms. Rivest, Director of Smart Start. (Refer to the attachment) FINANCIAL IMPACT: No County financial impact at this time with human resources being used from existing department staffs. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Administration recommends the Board close the public hearing and APPROVE the attached ordinance consistent with the Planning Board recommendation.