Orange County NC Website
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I. Introduction <br /> • In setting standards for recreation and park facility and service needs in the coming <br /> years , it is necessary to recognize the unique impact of the University of North <br /> Carolina at Chapel Hill on this process . This is because the institution accounts for a <br /> large part of the population of Orange County, while at the same time offering a <br /> range of facilities and services to its students and employees . There are , for <br /> example , about 8 , 000 students living in dorms and another 3 , 000 living in fraternities <br /> and sororities whose recreation and park needs are largely met by the University . <br /> • A related factor to consider is that the portion of the projected growth in population <br /> for Orange County that comes from the University will continue to decrease steadily . <br /> Put differently, a growing proportion of the population in Orange County will come <br /> from immigrants whose jobs are located throughout the Triangle Area and this group <br /> of residents will look to the three governmental jurisdictions to meet their needs for <br /> recreation and parks . <br /> • Another factor to consider is that the population growth that is projected for Orange <br /> County will come primarily from the towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill . The <br /> unincorporated areas of the county are becoming more urbanized with the additional <br /> subdivisions that are being approved. Often, these subdivisions are not annexed into <br /> the municipal limits causing a more increased urbanization of Orange County as <br /> well . This means that the demand for recreation and parks will increase as the <br /> population becomes more urbanized across Orange County . <br /> • Taken together, these factors point to the need to expand recreation and park <br /> facilities and services at an accelerating rate over the coming years . <br /> II . Local Land Use Ordinances <br /> • All three jurisdictions (Carrboro , Chapel Hill and Orange County) have historically <br /> recognized the significance of requiring " set aside " requirements for recreation <br /> within their subdivision ordinances . <br /> Page 1 <br />