Agenda - 06-16-20; 12-2 - Information Item - Memorandum Regarding Expansion of Hillsborough Area Economic Development District (EDD)

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PLANNING & INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT Craig N. Benedict, AICP, Director Administration (919) 245-2575 (919) 644-3002 (FAX) www.orangecountync.gov 131 W. Margaret Lane Suite 201 P. O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Craig Benedict, Orange County Planning Director Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor DATE: June 16, 2020 SUBJECT: Information Item - Expansion of Hillsborough Area Economic Development District (EDD) In September 2017, the BOCC authorized staff to proceed in processing amendments to expand the Hillsborough area EDD, to the southeast and southwest, through a Joint Land Use Plan amendment and a companion County Comprehensive Plan amendment. These amendments were triggered by the County’s request to expand the Hillsborough Primary Service Area, as provided by the Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement (WASMPBA). However, the amendments to expand the EDD were postponed due to the Town’s delay in taking action on the WASMPBA amendment in order for it to gain a better understanding of the desired future land uses for the area and to learn more about the Settlers Point development application. Since 2017, the Town of Hillsborough approved the WASMPBA amendment, as well as the amendment to the Joint Land Use Plan, and Settlers Point was discontinued by the developer. Because of language included in the approval resolutions, the WASMPBA amendment is to become effective when the joint land use plan is amended by both parties, now pending only Orange County action, to reflect the expanded Urban Service Area and assign a future land use classification. Due to the continued interest of developers in the Hillsborough EDD geography and the County’s investment in sewer infrastructure, the Orange County Planning Director is recommending that the County conclude the process it initiated in 2017 and expand the Hillsborough EDD consistent with Town of Hillsborough actions and land uses it adopted in 2018. More specifically, on March 26, 2018, the Town of Hillsborough approved an amendment to the Town of Hillsborough/Orange County Central Orange Coordinated Area (COCA) Land Use Plan (a.k.a. Joint Land Use Plan) extending its Urban Service area and applying the “Suburban Office Complex” future land use classification. Subsequently, Orange County’s actions to amend the Joint Land Use Plan (84-acres) and its Comprehensive Plan (89-acres), which effectively expand the EDD, are planned as follows: July 21-29, 2020 Public Information Meeting August 5, 2020 Orange County Planning Board Recommendation September 15, 2020 BOCC Public Hearing/Possible Action (Note: all meetings to be held consistent with any COVID-19 State and local protocols) 1