Agenda - 05-26-1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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C0 1 ORANGE C O U N T Y BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 26, 1992 Action Agenda Item # C -3 - q- SUBJECT: PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT ARTICLES 6 AND 22 - HOME OCCUPATIONS DEPARTMENT: PLANNING PUBLIC HEARING _x —yes No ATTACHMENT(S): Proposed Amendment Illustrations INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Scearbo Extension 2583 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough - 732 -8181 Durham - 688 -7331 Mebane - 227 -2031 Chapel Hill - 967 -9251 PURPOSE: To receive citizen comment on a proposed zoning ordinance text amendment, the purpose of which is to create more performance- oriented standards for home occupations. BACKGROUND: The substantive changes proposed in the amendment pertain to setbacks and square footage limits for accessory structures on lots larger than 200,000 square feet (Article 6.16.6.3). The proposed standards would allow greater flexibility in the location of home occupation accessory buildings if the site contained wooded areas or topographic features which provided effective screening. In contrast, the location of structures in open areas would be more restricted in some instances. Other proposed changes involve the use of large existing structures for home occupations activities. The amendment was originated by Planning Staff to address problem situations which have been encountered in administering home occupation regulations. A recent example involved a deep lot about 11 acres in size, with the residence located almost 1000 feet from the road. Current regulations required the home occupation structure to be located in an unsuitable location to the rear of the residence. The desired location was in a wooded area, several hundred feet from the road. The home occupation could not be approved, even though the use would have been very heavily screened, and would not be visible from the roadway. The proposed amendments are the first step in a more comprehensive overhaul of home occupation standards. The