Orange County NC Website
Approved 11/14/2011 <br /> <br />OC Board of Adjustment – 6/13/2011 Page 19 of 44 <br /> <br />1 <br />2 <br />3 <br />4 <br />5 <br />6 <br />7 <br />8 <br />9 <br />10 <br />11 <br />12 <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />46 <br />47 <br />48 <br />49 <br />50 <br />51 <br />52 <br />53 <br />54 <br />the identified violations. If they do not then they are subject to having the special use permit revoked by my office. That is <br />articulated not only within the ordinance but it is always articulated in the special use permit document that you take action on. <br />I understand the confusion created with terminology. This is going to be a camp retreat center as defined by the Orange <br />County Zoning Ordinance. The term “party barn” has no definiti on and has no place in our ordinance, however, it becomes a <br />synonymous term and you need to understand that what is being applied for is a camp retreat center and that issue, at least <br />from my read of the testimony offered here this evening, is a concern there will be activities occurring at the Maple View Ag <br />Center that are more characteristic of a party or celebration event rather than an educational component and that is what you <br />are determining whether or not is reasonable or viable now. What I will stipulate to is that the activities that the applicant is <br />asking to be allowed at this facility are consistent with the definition contained within the ordinance and are consistent with the <br />interpretation that has been made with several other similar applications during my tenure with the county and predating my <br />tenure with the county. If the board doesn’t have any questions of me, I would like to move onto Attachment G. <br /> <br />Larry Wright: Could you please explain that last statement you made? <br /> <br />Michael Harvey: With respect to the characteristics of this operation? <br /> <br />Larry Wright: Yes. It wasn’t quite clear. <br /> <br />Michael Harvey: We have a definition for camp and retreat. The interpretation of said definitions not only during my <br />employment and tenure with the county but previous interpretations by zoning officers has been that this allowed for <br />recreational social activities to occur, whether it is a wedding or fundraiser. Those types of activities have been considered <br />synonymous with the county’s definition of camp retreat. The only point I am making is that while I understand the concern in <br />opposition, the only comment I will make is that the proposed, the requested use, is consistent with the definition and previous <br />interpretations of what is acceptable at a camp retreat center. <br /> <br />Larry Wright: That definition was not changed with the UDO? <br /> <br />Michael Harvey: That is a correct statement. Actually, Mr. Chairman, before I go on, with respect to defense Exhibit 2, which <br />is the item in your packet, Mr. Oglesby had testified to the information packet prepared by Maple View II homeowner’s <br />associations which we did include in your packet and they did enter it into the record. There are a couple of points I want to <br />make with respect to Appendix 7, the map of the party barn, and that map begins on page 20 of this document. Obviously, we <br />know what the first property is. The second property is a bed and breakfast that was legally permitted by the Orange County <br />Planning Department for three or less bedrooms and of course with provisions of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance, they <br />are allowed to have weddings and special events as a permitted accessory use of this application. The individual who <br />operates this particular bed and breakfast is Camille Andrews, who is in the process of applying for a Class B Special Use <br />Permit to expand the nature and use of this property. Unfortunately, she has not completed her submittal. The next picture is <br />the Barn of Valhalla. That is Duffy Gilligan, as you all know, that received a Class B Special Use Permit from this board after <br />three public hearings. To the north of this are several single family residences ranging in acreage from two to five acres. The <br />next picture is the Rigmore House, which was approved in 2006 as a camp retreat. It is primarily utilized for weddings and <br />other similar receptions. The Snipes Farm, unfortunately, I don’t have a file on Snipes Farm, so it my duty to investigate the <br />validity and viability of that particular use and if it is determined they are not operating with the appropriate permits, they will <br />have to come before the board as the current applicants have been forced to. I would like to go over Attachment G. First, this <br />is the typical finding of fact you are familiar with from previous meetings as the board is already aware but I will share for the <br />benefit of those present. The county planning staff does not make a formal recommendation with respect to approval or <br />denial of a project. That is not our requirement or purview as defined in the zoning ordinance. We will however provide you <br />direction in terms of our perceived compliance with the provisions of code that we are obligated to respond to. I am going to <br />go through this sheet, providing you some directions, answers and then sum up and you can ask questions. Please <br />remember that once you close the public hearing, you cannot ask questions of me, the applicant or anyone else in the <br />audience that includes Mr. Rooks, or the individuals he is representing. <br /> <br />Michael Harvey read the following: <br /> <br />Staff has reviewed the application, the site plan, and all supporting documentation and has found that the applicant <br />complies with the specific standards as outlined within the UDO with respect to the physical development of the property.