Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
19 <br /> �1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> N(.'IK[-H C:AROUNA Orange County, North Carolina <br /> • A total of 100 mobile homes parks are identified as operational in <br /> Orange County, majority of which do not meet zoning requirements <br /> adopted in 2011. Many were established prior to zoning in the <br /> various townships and no mobile home parks were formally adopted <br /> since the early 1990's. However, these parks are permitted to remain <br /> operational based on Article 8, Non conformities, and provide <br /> affordable housing opportunities to residents. <br /> • Recently approved standards allow for up to five persons who are not <br /> related to reside together in a residential dwelling unit which could <br /> promote co-housing. <br /> • The Orange County Density Bonus policy offers density bonuses to <br /> developers as an incentive to provide affordable housing units within <br /> their residential development. These bonuses are also intended to <br /> promote economically mixed housing developments to provide a <br /> range of housing types and options to low income families. An <br /> increase in density may be permitted for developments providing <br /> housing opportunities to low or median income households. Density <br /> bonus of 25% to 40% may be approved for developments providing a <br /> minimum percent of units for sale to families earning less than 50% <br /> to 80% ofe Orange County m than income. For example, a <br /> development proposing 20 units for sale to families earning less than <br /> 50% to 80% of Orange County median income would allow for a <br /> bonus of 5 units, permitting a developer to develop 25 total units. <br /> C. BARRIERS TO FAIR HOUSING <br /> Many factors affect housing costs in Orange County which create barriers <br /> for affordable housing. Although many of these are beyond government <br /> control, there are some factors that can be identified and reviewed to <br /> reduce barriers at the local level. Zoning regulations are implemented <br /> nationwide to assist in regulating land uses and to accomplish objectives for <br /> the public good. <br /> Several planning tools or land use regulations have been established by <br /> Orange County in the past to encourage manageable growth, protect the <br /> environment, and ensure a sustainable, vibrant, and well-balanced <br /> community. However, some of these same tools and regulations can create <br /> unintended consequences affecting the availability of affordable housing. <br /> When reviewing these tools and barriers it is important to note that public <br /> objectives and community goals relating to urban sprawl reduction, efficient <br /> Draft Affordable Housing Strategic Plan <br />