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19 <br /> DRAFT <br /> need to be convinced why it is good for them. If everyone understands why it is good it will be a win-win for <br /> everyone. Everyone needs to be educated on why it is important to the people and how it will also impact everyone. <br /> Patrick Mallett: In North Carolina, most of the process is prescribed by state law on what you have to do. This type <br /> of zoning process has to go to a planning board and it needs to make a recommendation. It then goes to an elected <br /> body. With most jurisdictions in North Carolina, the notification requirements are far less than what we actually do. <br /> Notices were sent out to every property owner that was on the tax rolls and owns property within a thousand feet. <br /> We run legal ads, we post signs for both the planning board meeting and the board of commissioners meeting. We <br /> also post all the information online so people can come and check our rezoning cases or what's new on the planning <br /> portion of our website. If you have a question about this case or anything going on in the area, my door is always <br /> open and you can contact me. <br /> Adam Beeman: You said that the area has been intended to be commercial for some time. Do you have a date on <br /> when that was set in stone for Orange County? <br /> Craig Benedict: Good evening. Craig Benedict, Orange County Planning Director. This area was originally <br /> designated in 1981 when zoning went into effect in this Township as Commercial Industrial Activity Node. They left <br /> the existing zoning in place as (R-1) residential. You have also heard some of our discussions in the past about <br /> leaving it for somebody to ask for a conversion consistent with the Commercial Industrial Activity Node if they wanted <br /> to come in in the future. In 1994, the (CITAN) Commercial Industrial Activity Node was changed in land-use to <br /> economic development while at the same time, they changed the zoning with the land-use, so the zoning is in place <br /> just across Buckhorn Road. There are two different ways to do it. You will also notice that in these CITANs, the <br /> commissioners have asked us if there are places that we are calling pre-zoned to fix to an area that's consistent with <br /> that future land-use. In this case, the applicant was out in front of us. You may see some other conversions that are <br /> even government initiated. The commissioners also noticed that in the 1990's there was housing in the area and <br /> leaving the (R-1) designation on there allowed those houses to remain as a conforming use, so this was a way to <br /> balance the program. This is in transition and may transition to more commercial industrial in the near future. By <br /> 2008, when the comprehensive plan was updated, we had additional outreach meetings to discuss the economic <br /> development land-use and commercial industrial land use. The last opportunity was roughly in 2013 when we started <br /> extending utilities into the area. We had no community meetings. The utilities for this area run from Gravelly Hill <br /> Middle School over to Buckhorn Road with some properties on Buckhorn Road and then eventually tied in the Petro <br /> Truck Stop with the sewer flowing back to Mebane. This was to support that future land-use such as commercial <br /> industrial. When Patrick mentioned that this is part of the major transportation overlay, it's a recognition of its <br /> proximity to the interstate and major interchanges. <br /> Randy Marshall: In regard to the owner initiated amendment to the zoning atlas to rezone 16.45 acres consisting of <br /> Rural Residential (R-1) and Neighborhood Commercial (NC-2)to all General Commercial (GC-4), the Planning Board <br /> finds the requirements of section 2.8 of the (UDO)The Unified Development Ordinance have been deemed complete <br /> and pursuant to section 1.1.5 and 1.1.7 of the (UDO) in Section 153(A)-341 of the North Carolina General Statutes. <br /> The board finds consistent documentation within the record denoting that the amendment is consistent with the <br /> adopted 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The amendment is consistent with applicable plans because it supports the <br /> following 2030 Comprehensive Plans and goals and objectives. Objective, ED 1.5 identified barriers to development <br /> to desired businesses and local businesses and (inaudible). Objective ED 2.5. Identify land suitable to accommodate <br /> the expansion and growth of commercial industrial uses in the county. Land-use goal 1: Physically and <br /> environmentally responsible (inaudible)growth consistent with the provision of adequate services and facilities and a <br /> high quality of life. Land-use goal 4: Land development regulations guidelines techniques and/or incentives that <br /> promote the integrative achievement of all comprehensive plan goals. The amendment reasonable and in the public <br /> interest because it modifies existing non-residential zoning boundaries in an attempt to make existing operations <br /> more conforming to local land-use regulations. Therefore, the Planning Board of Orange County hereby <br /> recommends that the Board of County commissioners consider adoption of a proposed zoning atlas amendment. <br /> MOTION by Randy Marshall to approve the rezoning. Seconded by Adam Beeman. <br /> VOTE: Unanimous <br />