Orange County NC Website
AGENDA ITEM 3: UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE (UDO) TEXT AMENDMENTS - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT 51 <br />- To review and discuss proposed amendments to the UDO to streamline and revise provisions related to the Board 52 <br />of Adjustment. 53 <br />PRESENTER: Michael Harvey, Current Planning Supervisor 54 <br /> 55 <br />Michael Harvey explained that elected officials have tasked the county attorney’s office with streamlining provisions 56 <br />related to the Board of Adjustment. He reviewed some of the general amendment proposals, starting on Page 8 of 57 <br />the agenda packet. 58 <br /> 59 <br />Regarding the changes proposed to 2.2.4B, Lydia Wegman pointed out it doesn’t make sense as written because the 60 <br />applicants would have the application and therefore do not need to be provided with their application. Michael 61 <br />Harvey flagged it for the attorney’s office. 62 <br /> 63 <br />Regarding the Neighborhood Meeting section on Page 17, Lydia Wegman said she understands the attorney’s 64 <br />comment but feels the purpose of the neighborhood meeting should not be undermined. Michael Harvey reviewed 65 <br />the purpose of the public hearing is to hear sworn testimony and evidence and the importance of the neighborhood 66 <br />meeting is that the applicant can hear from neighbors and perhaps make modifications that satisfy the neighbors 67 <br />before the public hearing. Lydia Wegman said the neighborhood meeting can be important in that way and she 68 <br />doesn’t want the language amended in a way that doesn’t reflect that. 69 <br /> 70 <br />Orange County Planning Director Craig Benedict said he agrees that it is important to explain the differences 71 <br />between the neighborhood meeting and the public hearing. 72 <br /> 73 <br />Randy Marshall said the language needs to be more descriptive for Neighborhood Information Meeting. It has implied 74 <br />that attendees will receive information but with the removal of the redlined language, it makes it a staff meeting. He 75 <br />suggested two meetings, with one held by the applicant and one by staff. 76 <br /> 77 <br />Michael Harvey said there should just be one neighborhood meeting. Some applicants take the reins for these 78 <br />meetings. For instance, the applicants for Settler’s Point chose to hold four neighborhood meetings and staff 79 <br />attended two. Staff attends to explain the public hearing and approval process. Michael Harvey said he would let the 80 <br />attorney know the committee members are concerned with the changes in this section. 81 <br /> 82 <br />Paul Guthrie said the following two changes narrows the property owners who are contacted. Michael Harvey said 83 <br />the attorney took out language describing adjacent property owners. He said the logic here is consistency with state 84 <br />law because by contacting property owners whose property is not adjacent, you may be giving people rights they 85 <br />don’t enjoy under the law. 86 <br /> 87 <br />Lydia Wegman asked about 1,000 feet. Michael Harvey said 1,000 feet is always the standard. The attorney’s office 88 <br />is making a recommendation contrary to that because currently the county may be giving authority to people who 89 <br />don’t have it. 90 <br /> 91 <br />Michael Harvey reviewed 2.79B1, explaining the attorney is concerned the language is too limiting. The county has 92 <br />had issues where it can’t make a public hearing happen because of weather or not having a quorum. By eliminating 93 <br />the words “a regular meeting,” the Board of Adjustment could call a special meeting if need be. 94 <br /> 95 <br />Regarding 2.7.11 (A)(2), Lydia Wegman had a question about the language. Kim Piracci noted it’s a triple negative. 96 <br />Both said the language is not clear. 97 <br /> 98 <br />Regarding 2.7.13 (A), Lydia Wegman suggested changing the wording so it doesn’t sound like shrinking is 99 <br />happening. 100 <br /> 101 <br /> 11