Orange County NC Website
<br /> <br /> <br />B. RATIONALE <br />1. Purpose/Mission <br />In accordance with the provisions of Section(s) 2.3 Comprehensive Plan Amendments <br />and 2.8 Zoning Atlas and Unified Development Ordinance Amendments of the UDO, <br />the Planning Director has initiated text amendments to the Mobile Home Park <br />Conditional Zoning District allowing for temporary residential units, namely <br />Recreational Vehicles (RVs) and units built to an RV Park Model Standard (e.g. <br />some types of Tiny Homes built on a chassis) and retitling the district Home Park <br />Conditional Use District (HP-CZ). <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 />A Recreational Vehicle (RV) is currently defined within Article 10 of the UDO as: <br />A self-propelled or towed vehicle, qualified to be licensed by the <br />appropriate State Agency, and is built on a single chassis, 400 square feet <br />or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection, providing short <br />term recreational living accommodations, designed primarily not for use as <br />a permanent dwelling, but as temporary living quarters for recreational, <br />camping, travel, or seasonal use. <br />There has been increased interest in allowing for opportunities for temporary <br />residential uses within the County. This includes locating tiny homes, built on a <br />chassis and classified under State building regulations as an RV, in both mobile home <br />parks and as standalone uses of property. In some instances staff is fielding inquiries <br />from individuals with family members receiving treatment in local hospitals looking for <br />areas where an RV could be parked to serve as a temporary residence. <br />Temporary residential units are not currently permitted within mobile home parks as <br />they do not meet established criteria (i.e. they are not classified as a manufactured <br />home consistent with HUD standards). <br />This proposal would establish a revised district that could address many of these <br />issues and provide options to those looking for temporary housing. This includes <br />allowing for tiny home structures, constructed on a chassis and meeting the definition <br />of an RV. The amendment would also provide a mechanism for RVs to be permitted <br />under certain circumstances within mobile home parks. <br />Most mobile home park projects were developed prior to current zoning regulations <br />and, as a result, have de-facto zoning approvals. <br />As with all Conditional Zoning districts the project would involve the negotiation of <br />design elements between the BOCC and applicant to ensure the viability of the <br /> 20