Agenda - 03-16-2021; 12-3 - Memorandum - Eno EDD Land Use and Zoning Analysis

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ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners Bonnie Hammersley, Orange County Manager Travis Myren, Orange County Deputy Manager FROM: Craig N. Benedict, Planning Director CC: Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor DATE: March 4, 2021 SUBJECT: Eno EDD Land Use and Zoning Analysis Orange County planning staff will concurrently work with the City of Durham to review various studies (SAP), courtesy review agreement, City of Durham long range comprehensive plan, Orange County land use plan and zoning districts. The majority of existing commercial uses along US 70 in the area are on well and septic systems. The implications of amending land use and zoning to a lower intensity could be considered downzoning or where businesses exist could create some nonconformities. This will be discussed with the attorney's office. Discussion has been ongoing since the refocus of joint planning in the smaller Eno EDD and request from City of Durham regarding the protected watershed expansion (from moving their water supply intake westerly see BOCC item of September 15, 2020 regarding this topic). This protected watershed expansion between Hillsborough and Durham was coupled with the focus area of the Eno EDD, where a suggested smaller area than original where public water and sewer is financially feasible. Both City of Durham and Orange County will follow courtesy review, future land use planning and collaboration, small area planning suggestions and recommendations before proceeding to specific changes. At a later date, after the BOCC is presented implications and options and a consensus interest to proceed to formal changes is made, then state legal advertisement process requirements, as well as, their own amendment processes outlined in our/their Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) could be initiated. In general, the entire Eno EDD land use area cannot be served with public water and sewer in the short or midterm. There is a 250 acre focus area that is generally described as an area south of I-85 and north of US 70 where public and private water and sewer is programmed and economic development is strongly viable; evidenced by development activity, active marketing by property owners and interstate access and visibility. Before the formal process is set into motion, planning staff will collaborate with the City of Durham and informally present findings regarding the Eno small area plan to the BOCC. If you have questions please contact Craig N. Benedict cbenedict(corangecountync.gov or Tom Altieri taltieri orangecountync.gov .