Orange County NC Website
Article 5: Uses <br /> Section 5.13: Standards for Agricultural Uses <br /> <br /> <br />(8) Application materials shall include a comprehensive groundwater study, for <br />facilities expected to use more than 240 gallons of groundwater per day per acre <br />of lot area on an annual basis than an average single family residence (which <br />uses 240 gallons of water per day) built at the highest density the existing zoning <br />district would allow. For example, if the existing zoning district allows a <br />residential density of 1 unit for 2 acres and the proposed use is on a six acre <br />parcel (which could yield 3 residences), the proposed use(s) may use three times <br />the water used by an average single family residence (or 720 gallons per day, on <br />an annualized basis) before a comprehensive groundwater study is required. <br />The water usage rates of any existing use subject to zoning regulations located <br />on the same lot shall be taken into account when determining if a comprehensive <br />groundwater study is required. Said study shall detail: <br />(a) The amount of water anticipated to be used on a daily, weekly, monthly, <br />and annual basis by regulated uses located on the parcel (e.g., water <br />usage by bona fide farm uses is not required to be included); <br />(b) An analysis of the amount of groundwater withdrawal considered to be <br />safe and sustainable in the immediate vicinity; and <br />(c) An analysis of whether other wells in the vicinity of the proposed use will <br />are expected to be affected by withdrawals made by the proposed use. <br />5.13.7 Cooperative Farm Stand <br />(A) General Standards for Evaluation <br />(1) If located in an AR zoning district, stand shall be located on the bona fide farm of <br />one of the cooperative farm partners.27 <br />(2) 28In addition to the application materials required in Sections 2.5.2 and 2.4.3, the <br />following shall also be required: <br />(a) The number of and location of participating cooperative farm partners. <br />(b) A description of the facility, including size of structure(s) and access <br />locations. <br />(c) Number of employees, if any. <br />(d) Frequency and hours of operation. <br />(3) Sales of any products not produced on the farm(s) of one of the cooperative farm <br />partners shall be incidental, related to, and a subordinate component of farm <br />stand sales in scale and profit. <br />5.13.8 Equestrian Center <br />(A) Standards for Class A Special Use Permit or ASE-CZ Zoning District <br />(1) Minimum lot size: 15 acres. <br />(2) Site shall have direct access to a major road, as classified in the Orange County <br />Comprehensive Plan, and shall use said road as the primary access, unless <br />approved otherwise in the permit. <br />(3) All structures, facilities, storage areas, and parking areas shall be setback a <br />minimum of 100 feet from all property lines. <br />27 The County Attorney’s office has advised that this standard is legally insufficient and must be removed. Removal <br />of this standard means that within the AR zoning district, a cooperative farm stand can be located, subject to <br />standards, on parcels that are not considered bona fide farms. <br />28 Renumbering will automatically occur after (1) is removed. <br /> <br />Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-123 <br /> <br /> <br />93