Minutes 03-12-2019 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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11 • Planning Board (Orange County) Lydia Wegman, Chair Lydia Wegman said the Planning Board is focusing on coordination with the other advisory boards, and doing an update to the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. She said it is particularly important for the Planning and Economic Advisory Boards to be in close communication and cooperation. She said there has been extensive work done on the Table of Permitted Uses, and staff has done an excellent job. She said there will be work done on affordable housing issues, as well as greater access to services in the rural parts of the County. She said cluster developments are being strongly considered, along with climate change and sustainability in the County. Craig Benedict said the 2030 Comprehensive Plan was approved in 2008, with a review scheduled every ten years. He said, during this process, the Commissioners came up with 8 planning principles to guide all the different elements from land use to transportation to housing, etc. He said the process that was established to create the 2030 plan brought together all the lead advisory boards to work together. He said when the 2020 census data becomes available; they will look at the trend lines and adjust accordingly. Lydia Wegman said Commissioner involvement would be welcomed in this process. Commissioner Price said the Planning Board met with all the other advisory boards previously, and asked if this information was still available. Craig Benedict said all this information is still available, but an update would be good as some things have changed. Lydia Wegman said to use the same process, and revise as needed. Commissioner Dorosin said one of the Planning Board's top emerging issues is listed as the removal of uninhabitable housing. He said he was unaware this was an issue, and asked if any investigations have been conducted, and, if so, what is the scope of the problem. Craig Benedict said when staff did the inventory of mobile homes (individual and in mobile home parks), a lot of abandoned homes were found. He said there used to be grant monies to remove these homes but those funds have dried up. He said these abandoned homes are not only a safety hazard, but are eyesores when showing areas for potential economic development. He said the nuisance regulations available to cities, are not as available to the County, but staff is seeking a higher level of enforcement to try and treat this problem. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the number of abandoned homes is known, or if there is an area of greater concentration. Craig Benedict said these homes are scattered throughout the County, and likely number between 100-200 homes. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the County could have a similar regulatory/enforcement authority as the cities. Craig Benedict said enabling legislation would be needed. Commissioner Price asked if there is a place to take the uninhabitable mobile homes. Craig Benedict said part of the issue is moving them, as well as where to move them. He said the C&D facility is not equipped to take a lot of the mobile home materials. Chair Rich asked if the original 8 principles could be sent to the BOCC. Bonnie Hammersley said staff will do an information item on this topic. Chair Rich said a climate change committee has just been created, which will involve all of the towns in the County. She said Lydia Wegman may want to tap into this. Chair Rich said to include Commission for the Environment as well. Lydia Wegman said this is absolutely happening, and its omission was a mistake. Craig Benedict said the 2030 Comprehensive Plan includes a sustainability chapter, which connects environment, economy and social equity. He said the goal in planning is to