Orange County NC Website
Stream buffer zones can be used as part of the required <br /> lot area or lot size established as part of these <br /> development standards . <br /> 6 .25 .5 . 3 Existing Vegetation in Buffer Zones <br /> Existing forested areas and other vegetation in a <br /> healthy condition cannot be removed from or disturbed <br /> in a stream buffer zone. Diseased and/or dead vegetation <br /> may be removed but should be replaced with vegetation <br /> resulting a comparable stormwater runoff velocity and <br /> quantity. <br /> 6 . 25 .5 . 4 Permitted Uses Within Buffer Zones <br /> Not withstanding any other provisions of this Article, <br /> no impervious surface shall be located in or closer than <br /> twenty (20) feet to the nearest edge of a designated <br /> buffer zone, except that the Zoning Officer may <br /> authorize the crossing of a designated buffer zone and <br /> the presence of impervious surface therein by or for: <br /> a. A public or private street where the crossing is <br /> perpendicular to the stream and is justified in <br /> that: <br /> 1 . Without such a crossing, over fifty percent <br /> (50%) of the land area would be without access <br /> and therefore undevelopable; or <br /> 2 . A crossing is necessary to comply with <br /> policies related to public safety, such as in <br /> provisions for dual access for police and fire <br /> protection; or <br /> 3 . It allows a design that would clearly result <br /> in less damage to the watershed than would <br /> result if the property were developed without <br /> such a crossing. <br /> b. Above ground and buried utility lines for the <br /> distribution of electricity, telephone, and cable <br /> .television service where: <br /> 1 . It is practicably unavoidable if the subject <br /> property and upstream property is to be served <br /> or potentially served by a public service, and <br /> an alternate design would result in greater <br /> damage to the watershed; and <br /> 2 . The system, as a whole, emphasizes placement <br /> outside designated buffer zones; and <br /> 3 . To the extent practical, the direction of the <br />