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M <br />11L ResultslConclusions <br />What Was Learned <br />Through listening, documenting, and responding to the questions and comments voiced <br />by citizens during the outreach meetings, Planning Staff are able to identify prominent <br />issues and concerns. <br />The most frequently asked question or concern was the effects of lowering density and <br />increasing minimum lot size on housing costs. Staff has recognized a paradox that <br />surrounds the issue of housing affordability. Many of Orange County's citizens desire <br />their own property value to increase while maintaining housing affordability on a <br />countywide basis for relatives and others. The concern over affordable housing is not <br />new in Orange County. In fact, "adequate, reasonably priced, safe housing in an <br />appropriate variety of types in proximity to jobs and daily activities for all citizens' was a <br />Goal included in the 1981 Orange County Land Use Plan and continues to remain an <br />important goal. <br />Although not nearly as prominent as affordable housing, questions and concerns over <br />the existing Minor Subdivision approval process and effects of lowering density on <br />sprawl were voiced. Regarding the Minor Subdivision process, the comments involved <br />the length of time required to obtain approval and the feeling that it was too long and <br />onerous; and in regard to sprawl, the question was whether a decrease in density would <br />encourage sprawl to take place. <br />Following is a list of some additional general topic areas of discussion and questions <br />posed during outreach meetings: <br />• Economic development and demand for additional jobs <br />• Open space requirements and uses of open space <br />• Sprawl <br />• North Carolina's exemption of lots 10 acres and larger from subdivision <br />regulations <br />• Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) and possible receiving areas for density <br />A complete list of relevant questions and comments, including those discussed above, <br />raised during outreach is provided in Appendix E. Planning Staffs responses to these <br />questions have also been provided. <br />111 -A- 1 <br />