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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: August 21, 2001 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. $ - ~ <br />SUBJECT: Watershed Best Management Practice Amendment <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning ~ Inspections <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) NO <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Proposed Ordinance Amendment <br />Draft Planning Board Minutes -July 11, <br />2001 <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Craig Benedict, Director, Ext. 2592 <br />Robert P. Davis, Planner III, Ext. 2580 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />Chapel HIII 968-4501 <br />Durham 688-7331 <br />Mebane 336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To make a decision on proposed language changes to the Orange County Zoning <br />Ordinance to clarify that Best Management Practices (BMP's) are permitted, but not to allow an <br />increase in impervious surface coverage for projects. (May 29, 2001 Public Hearing Item) <br />BACKGROUND: <br />R_eauest <br />The two proposed zoning ordinance changes are: <br />(1) adding the words `impervious surface' in multiple locations in section 6.23.c.1. -- <br />Residential Development - as shown on pages 7 and 8 of this abstract, and also in <br />section 6.23.c.2 -- Nonresidential Develo,~ment - as shown on pages 10 and 11; <br />(2) adding a footnote, shown in bold, under each table on pages 7, 8, 10 and 11 that BMP's <br />mandated by the Neuse River Basin rules are not prohibited under County regulations. <br />The amendment adds language in the watershed section of the zoning ordinance that clarifies <br />the existing apparent conflict with the Neuse River Basin regulations and, at the same time, <br />maintains the current prohibition against BMP's being used to increase impervious surface <br />ratios. The amendment does not change existing provisions in the zoning ordinance. BMP's, if <br />built, will be an a_ dd_ed protection to the existing low impervious surface maximums currently in <br />the County, not an exception. <br />In summary, this revision allows the use of BMP's under the zoning ordinance language, but <br />specifies that the use of BMP's does not permit an increase in the impervious surface allowed. <br />History, and Update <br />Both the Stormwater Management Program for Lands within the Neuse River Basin and the <br />Orange County Zoning Ordinance have requirements for BMP's. The BMP's in both cases are <br />intended to reduce the negative environmental effects of development on the streams and <br />water supplies within North Carolina. The slight variation in the definition of the term Best <br />Management Practice in the two ordinances is highlighted in italics below: <br />