Minutes 09-15-2020 Virtual Business Meeting

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50 In accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3 Comprehensive Plan Amendments of the Unified Development Ordinance, the Planning Director has initiated amendments to the Central Orange Coordinated Area (COCA) Land Use Plan and to the Orange County Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map (FLUM) in the vicinity of the southern portion of the Hillsborough Area Economic Development District. The amendments related to COCA affect 17 parcels (in whole or part) encompassing 84 acres (Attachment 1). The amendments related to the FLUM affect 20 parcels (in whole or part) encompassing 89 acres (Attachment 2). The COCA proposed land use category is Suburban Office and the FLUM proposed category is Economic Development. These related amendments are being proposed to prescribe the land uses that will be allowed in the expanded area for Economic Development. 1. The Town of Hillsborough/Orange County Central Orange Coordinated Area (COCA) Land Use Plan is a joint land use document that defines the locations of future land use categories to help achieve a desired and coordinated pattern of development over time. The COCA Land Use Plan includes several urban-style land use categories that are more specific than those provided in the County's Comprehensive Plan, which covers a much larger geographic area. Implementation of the COCA Land Use Plan is achieved through consistency with the County's Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map, application of County zoning, and a coordinated approach to rezoning. The amendment proposes a "Suburban Office Complex" land use in the expansion area which would designate the area for office and employment, businesses in a campus setting, and limited supporting services. The proposed amendment also reflects the expansion of the Town's Urban Service Boundary consistent with the WASMPBA to provide water and sewer service to the area. As part of a joint land use plan, this amendment requires approval by the Town of Hillsborough and Orange County. The Town of Hillsborough has already taken action and unanimously approved the amendment as follows. Town of Hillsborough Approval Process: March 15, 2018—Town Public Hearing and Planning Board recommendation March 26, 2018— Hillsborough Town Board adopted 2. The Orange County Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map (FLUM) defines the location of future land use categories, consistent with any joint land use plans, and is designed to accommodate a particular combination of general land uses. The FLUM helps achieve a desired pattern of development over time and is implemented primarily through zoning. The proposed amendment to this plan would change the expansion area from a Rural Residential land use to an Economic Development Transition Activity Node, which would designate the area for light industrial, distribution, office, service/retail uses, and flex space (typically one-story buildings designed, constructed, and marketed as suitable for use as offices but able to accommodate other uses such as a warehouse, showroom, manufacturing assembly, or similar operations). The County has not initiated any rezoning at this time. Currently, the area is zoned Rural Residential (R-1). However, approximately 12 acres of the proposed Research Triangle Logistics Park (RTLP) are located in the amendment area discussed herein. Any rezoning that comes forward in the future will require a subsequent item on a public hearing and finding that it is consistent with the plans. Public Information Session Planning staff held an on-line public information session on July 21, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. to review the County-initiated amendments to land use plans and zoning atlas, rezoning being a separate item processed concurrently. An overwhelming majority of all questions and comments were