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Article 3: Base Zoning Districts Section 3.8: Conditional Districts Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 3-62 SECTION 3.8: CONDITIONAL DISTRICTS 3.8.1 Generally This Ordinance contains regulations that establish zoning districts and assign land uses to one or more of these districts. The Ordinance also provides standards for development that regulate lot size, yards, parking, landscaping, open space management, and other aspects of land use planning. However, there are certain circumstances when: (A) A general zoning district designation would not be appropriate for a certain property, but a specific use permitted within the district would be consistent with the objectives of this Ordinance and/or the adopted Comprehensive Plan, (B) A planning study, adopted by the Board of County Commissioners, indicates there may be opportunities to allow for specific classifications of development within a specific geographic area of the county that is not located within appropriate Land Use Categories to allow for a general use rezoning to occur, (C) Certain uses, groups of uses, or types of development that, because of their nature or scale, have particular impacts on both the immediate area and the community as a whole and cannot be predetermined or controlled by general use district standards, or (D) A property owner proposes the development, adoption, and imposition of unified development standards associated with the approval of a master development plan for a specific parcel of property that may or may not involve proposed modification of existing development regulations. In these circumstances, Conditional Districts may be utilized. 3.8.2 Purpose and Intent (A) Conditional Districts may be established for specialized purposes where tracts suitable in location, area and character for the use and structures proposed are to be planned and developed on a unified basis. (B) The suitability of tracts for the development proposed shall be determined primarily by reference to the adopted Comprehensive Plan, any relevant adopted small area plan, and the standards outlined in this Ordinance, but due consideration shall be given to the existing and prospective character of surrounding development. (C) Conditional Districts offer advantages to both the general public and property owners. (1) Benefits to the general public include: (a) A more efficient and effective use of land, (b) A more efficient use of energy, (c) The reduction of the costs of continuing maintenance responsibilities, (d) The master planning of infrastructure development within the region, and (e) A higher level of amenities in all types of development. (2) Benefits to property owners include: (a) Greater flexibility in the development of their land, (b) The opportunity to utilize new and ingenious development techniques, and (c) A more prudent use of time, money, effort, and other resources. 117