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3 <br /> <br />At the November 25 Quarterly Public Hearing concerns with standards regarding <br />prohibiting specific uses, screening of accessory structures, and setback standards <br />of accessory structures and outdoor storage space u tilized in a major home <br />occupation were discussed by the BOCC and Planning Board. Recognizing that a <br />number of items needed to be reviewed and discussed among the Planning Board, <br />staff recommended bringing the item back to the Planning Board for further re view <br />and discussion at the December 4 meeting. At the Quarterly Public Hearing a BOCC <br />member suggested staff send a letter to residents who currently have a home <br />occupation permit in order to solicit feedback. Sixty-three letters were mailed on <br />November 27, 2013 and no comments were received from the public. At the January <br />8 Planning Board meeting, Board members reviewed revised standards based on <br />comments received at the November Quarterly Public Hearing and the December 4 <br />Planning Board meeting. Members voted 7-1 to recommend approval of the UDO <br />text amendment as presented by staff. <br /> <br />The amendment was presented for adoption consideration at the February 18 <br />BOCC. During the meeting, Board members identified concerns with existing and <br />proposed standards regarding screening and setback regulations for accessory <br />structures utilized in a home occupation. As a result, the BOCC referred the item <br />back to the Planning Board for further review and consideration. <br /> <br />2. Analysis <br />As required under Section 2.8.5 of the UDO, the Planning Director is required to: <br />‘cause an analysis to be made of the application and, based upon that analysis, <br />prepare a recommendation for consideration by the Planning Board and the Board of <br />County Commissioners’. <br /> <br />The purpose of the proposed amendment is to develop standards that accommodate <br />and encourage the use of home occupations while protecting the residential <br />character of neighborhoods and meeting standards of the North Carolina Building <br />Code in order to incorporate recommendations of the Implementation Bridge into the <br />Unified Development Ordinance. Proposed standards will allow for smaller and larger <br />scale home occupations with the development of two categories including a minor <br />home occupation and a major home occupation. Uses such as artist studios often are <br />considered home occupations and the updated standards will apply to artist studios. <br />This is a topic that was raised at the February 2013 BOCC retreat and the May 14, <br />2013 BOCC work session when “Agricultural Support Enterprises” was discussed. <br />Additional amendments to Section 5.4.3 Special Events will address reviewing and <br />permitting events conducted by the home occupation. Specifically, allowing nonprofit <br />or government organized events, including the Orange County Open Studio Tour, to <br />be exempt from the existing special event and Class B Special Use Permit process in <br />order to support and accommodate these events within the county. Also, see Section <br />135