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ORANGE COUNTY <br />PLANNING BOARD <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: October 7, 2015 <br /> <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendment – Recreational Land Uses <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes <br /> <br /> <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />1. Comprehensive Plan and Unified <br />Development Ordinance Outline Form - <br />Recreation Amendments (UDO/Zoning <br />2015-04) <br />2. Response from Orange County Sheriff’s <br />Office on the Discharge of Firearms <br />3. Statement of Consistency <br />4. Proposed UDO Text Amendment(s) <br /> INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Michael Harvey Planner, III (919) 245-2597 <br /> Craig Benedict, Director, (919) 245-2585 <br /> <br />PURPOSE: To make a recommendation to the BOCC on Planning Director initiated <br />amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) regarding recreational land uses. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: This item was presented at the September 8, 2015 Quarterly Public Hearing <br />(materials available at: http://www.orangecountync.gov/document_center/BOCCAgendaMinutes/150908.pdf ). <br /> <br />As indicated during the hearing, existing definitions and classification methodology for <br />recreation land uses is inappropriate and inconsistent with acceptable legal practice. The <br />current methodology has even complicated recent enforcement efforts relating to the discharge <br />of firearms on private property and addressing the purported establishment of an outdoor <br />recreational field off of Old Greensboro Highway. For additional background information please <br />refer to Section B.1 of Attachment 1. <br /> <br />Staff is proposing to overhaul current regulations by: <br />a. Establishing a new definition for a recreational land use with no reference to its tax <br />status; <br />b. Reviewing the types of recreational land uses permitted in each zoning district and <br />suggesting revisions to ensure consistency; <br />c. Developing new standards governing the development of recreational land uses for both <br />private and commercial purposes; and <br />d. Developing standards governing the discharge of firearms from both a business and <br />personal enjoyment standpoint. <br /> 102