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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: October 3, 2017 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-f <br /> SUBJECT: Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Amendment Outline and Schedule — <br /> Revisions to Public Hearing Process <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Craig Benedict, Director, 919-245-2575 <br /> Amendment Outline Form James Bryan, Staff Attorney, 919-245-2319 <br /> Ashley Moncado, Planner II, 919-245-2589 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider and approve process components and schedule for government- <br /> initiated amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance regarding revisions to the public <br /> hearing process. <br /> BACKGROUND: As a result of discussion at the September 7, 2017 Board of County <br /> Commissioners (BOCC) Work Session, a text amendment to consider revisions to the existing <br /> public hearing process is currently being prepared by County staff for the November Quarterly <br /> Public Hearing. The proposed amendment will allow land use hearings to occur at any regular <br /> BOCC meeting instead of current standards which allow these items to be presented on a <br /> quarterly basis. Allowing these items to be heard at all regular BOCC meeting will expedite the <br /> development review process and encourage a planning process which is efficient and <br /> responsive to County residents. No other changes to the public hearing processes are being <br /> proposed. In addition, all items requiring a public hearing will still allow for review and <br /> recommendation from the Planning Board prior to the public hearing. Attachment 1 contains <br /> additional information and analysis regarding the proposed amendment. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: Consideration and approval will not create the need for additional <br /> funding for the provision of County services. Costs for the required legal advertisement for the <br /> text amendment will be paid from FY2017-18. Departmental funds budgeted for this purpose. <br /> Existing Planning staff included in the Departmental staffing budget will accomplish the work <br /> required to process this amendment. However, since more public hearings may have to be <br /> noticed, additional legal advertisement funds will be necessary in FY2018-19. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to <br /> this agenda item: <br /> • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND <br /> ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES <br /> The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes <br /> and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of <br /> environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no <br /> group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental <br />