Orange County NC Website
16 <br /> STAFF COMMENT. Proposed land uses, excluding the Travel Center, are currently <br /> permitted within the existing O/RM general use zoning district. Development of these <br /> uses would be `permitted by right' (i.e. staff administrative review of site plan without <br /> advisory board/elected official review/comment). The applicant has elected to go <br /> through the MPD-CZ process for the following reasons: <br /> • Development of the Property `as a whole' rather than subdividing land into <br /> separate parcels for independent development (i.e. separate access points, <br /> parking, stormwater facilities, grading/land disturbance, access drives, etc.); <br /> • Employment/use of comprehensive traffic access management strategies; <br /> • Maximize preservation of open space; <br /> • Provide for comprehensive stormwater management/treatment; <br /> • Minimize the overall land disturbance/grading activities associated with the <br /> Project; and <br /> • Seek approval for the proposed Travel Center land use. <br /> Staff has heard concerns from residents the MPD-CZ designation allows for more <br /> intensive development activity than currently permitted. This is not necessarily correct. <br /> If approved, the Project would result in more open space area and less overall <br /> constructed building area than what is permitted by-right with the existing zoning <br /> designation. The main difference between the existing O/RM district and the MPD-CZ <br /> is the potential development of the proposed travel center as detailed herein. <br /> Staff has also heard concerns approval of the MPD-CZ will eliminate existing Planning <br /> Board and BOCC involvement with the review and approval of site plans. <br /> As staff has detailed in numerous meetings, and herein, the majority of proposed land <br /> uses are currently permitted `by right'. This means the Planning Board and BOCC <br /> already have no involvement with site plan review or approval. <br /> For example, a 120 room hotel could be developed on the property today without <br /> public notice/review/comment or review/action by Planning Board/BOCC members. <br /> Staff would review/take action on a site plan submitted in accordance with Section 2.5 <br /> of the UDO. <br /> The MPD-CZ process is providing an opportunity for more public review/comment than <br /> would currently be allowed under the current general use zoning designation. <br /> Access: The Project is proposing phased access improvements, namely: <br /> i. Two right-in/right-out driveways off Interstate 85/40 on/off ramp, developed in Phase 1 <br /> (initial development) as shown below: <br /> �► t ]! Access drive—app.600 ft. <br /> west of the US Highway 70/1- <br /> 85 <br /> :' ���► i' Connector Road <br /> VN <br /> "0 Eu Access drive—app~ O � r'w� ;�'o""AEn , <br /> 600 ft.east of Mt. Interstate 85/40 _ <br /> Willing Road <br /> ! • • • - 4 NfS1 .. <br />