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Page 2 of 3 Randy Herman <br />Supplemental Questions: <br />Board of Equalization and Review (REQUIRES DISCLOSURE STATEMENT) <br />Background, education and experience relevant to this board: <br />I am a real estate attorney with experience searching title and performing closings in Orange <br />County and elsewhere. <br />Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: <br />To apply my training and experience for the benefit of the community. <br />Conflict of Interest: <br />I own real property located in Orange County. I also represent and have represented clients that <br />own real property located in Orange County. To my knowledge, I do not currently have any <br />clients that are appealing or intend to appeal any tax matters. <br />Orange County Board of Adjustment (REQUIRES DISCLOSURE STATEMENT) <br />Please list the work/volunteer experience/qualifications that would add to your expertise <br />for this board. <br />I am currently an associate with The Banks Law Firm in Durham. I was previously with Moore & <br />Alphin in Raleigh. In both positions, my practice is almost entirely real estate, including title work <br />and quasi-judicial proceedings. <br />What do you see as the responsibilities of this board, and what do you hope to <br />accomplish if appointed? <br />The primary responsibility of the board is to apply the appropriate ordinances to determine if <br />applicants have met presented appropriate evidence for their application to be granted. But in <br />the larger sense, I see Boards of Adjustment as akin to the old Courts of Equity: they provide <br />equitable relief from the strict letter of the development ordinance for uses that are non- <br />conforming in a minor way. They also serve the general principal that landowners should be free <br />to use their property as long as their use does not adversely impact their neighbors or the <br />community. <br />What role should the Board of Adjustment take in guiding and regulating growth? <br />This begins with the specific ordinances governing the various permits and variances, which <br />must be followed. But for matters within its discretion, the Board of Adjustment should guide <br />growth by approving land use when possible, but only if it does not adversely impact other <br />residents and the community. <br />What unique perspective can you bring to the Orange County Board of Adjustment? <br />As a real estate and land use attorney, I have represented both builders and developers seeking <br />variances and environmental groups opposing them. <br />What do you consider to be be the most important issues facing Orange County related <br />to growth? <br />Allowing growth and development in a responsible way while avoiding sprawl. Orange County is <br />a desirable place to live and is positioned for extensive growth whether it wants it or not. The key <br />is to control that growth in a beneficial way without cutting it off entirely. <br />How would you, as a member of the Planning Board, contribute to the implementation of <br />the Board of Commissioners' adopted Goals and Priorities? <br />By granting approvals where they are warranted and denying them where they are not, I would <br />support the policies of the Board of Commissioners as expressed in the UDO and other related <br />ordinances. <br />10