ORC agenda 010814 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Existing Review Process for non-County-initiated actions that require a BOCC public hearing The timeframe from Application Submittal to BOCC Decision is similar for the Existing Process and Proposed Process (a minimum of 4-5 months). From a time perspective, the primary difference between the existing process and the proposed process is the greater number of application due dates per year. There are currently 4 due dates per year, which means that if someone is ready to apply and the application due date is still 2 months away, the application can be submitted but action towards a decision would be on hold for 2 months. If there were a more frequent application deadline and public hearing schedule, the process would be more efficient for some applicants. In recent years, Orange County’s timeframe from application deadline dates to decision compares favorably to most local governments in North Carolina. One of the main differences is that most other local governments have a monthly public hearing cycle rather than the quarterly public hearing cycle Orange County adheres to. Additionally, the practice of having the BOCC approve the legal ad for the public hearings adds additional time (approximately 3 weeks, much more for the August QPH) to the front-end of the schedule since the application deadline date must be early enough to place the legal ad approval item on a BOCC agenda prior to newspaper ad deadline dates. Pre-Application Conference Application Submittal DAC (Development Advisory Committee) Review/Comments BOCC Approve Legal Ad for QPH Joint BOCC/Planning Board Quarterly Public Hearing Planning Board Recommendation Required for SUP, CUD, CZD, and Major Subdivisions Strongly recommended for all other projects Generally ~8 weeks prior to QPH, except August QPH which has deadline in mid-May Staff Representatives of various County departments and other agencies, as needed Generally ~3 weeks prior to QPH, except August QPH legal ad which is approved at last BOCC meeting in June BOCC Decision Staff can often turn materials around after the QPH to make the first Planning Board meeting after the QPH (Planning Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month). If the QPH reveals that more staff research must be done, projects may not be ready until the second Planning Board meeting after the QPH (e.g., month+ delay). Unless directed to a date/time certain by the BOCC at the QPH (it is typical to do so since the public hearing must be adjourned to a date/time certain in order to receive the Planning Board recommendation), the UDO states the Planning Board shall make its recommendation within three regularly scheduled meetings (e.g., three months). Normally held the last Monday of the month in February, May, August, and November