Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
36 <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked a question about the process of reviewing and voting on <br /> proposals. He said the Planning Board has recommended denial, as the property cannot be <br /> connected to water and sewer. He asked if, given that, there is a reason why this project is <br /> coming before the BOCC at all. <br /> Michael Harvey said an applicant has paid an application review fee, despite the <br /> Planning Board's recommendation of denial, and the Board of Commissioners must follow <br /> through with the process. He said the Applicant was notified of the public hearing, but is not in <br /> attendance. <br /> Michael Harvey said due to the definition of CITAN in the comprehensive plan (page 6 of <br /> the abstract), the parcel cannot be provided utility services based on current planning <br /> documents. He said the Planning Department suggested the Applicant approach the Town of <br /> Hillsborough for a modification of agreements to allow for water and sewer to be available to the <br /> parcel, but the applicant did not do so. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said it is odd that someone could request rezoning for uses that <br /> would be impossible, but that the Planning department still has to go through the whole <br /> process. <br /> Michael Harvey said yes. He said the Applicant requested that the process continue, <br /> despite staff explaining that it would not be recommended for approval. <br /> Michael Harvey said the Applicant felt she could make a reasonable argument for <br /> approval. He said he and the Planning Director did not disagree with her that this request <br /> represents a logical extension of the commercial/industrial node. He said the problem is that <br /> the extension cannot happen without other things happening first. He said the Planning <br /> department encouraged the Applicant to go through the other steps first, as did the Town of <br /> Hillsborough Assistant Town Manager. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said looking at the parcel, and what is around it and being near <br /> to Highway 86, the application makes some sense. He asked if there should be flexibility in <br /> how the lines are drawn. He said it seems to be a poor use of infrastructure resources to have <br /> lines run along parcels that are suited to economic development. He said infrastructure on one <br /> side of a thoroughfare, but not on the other, is not a good use of resources. He said he would <br /> like to work with other jurisdictions to adjust parcels and lines such as these. He said water and <br /> sewer is not far away from this parcel. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said staff is saying the Applicant should have gone to <br /> Hillsborough first to request water and sewer. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said the procedure would require the adjustment of boundaries, <br /> which would require action from the BOCC. <br /> Michael Harvey said that water and sewer infrastructure would have required annexation <br /> by Hillsborough. <br /> Commissioner McKee thanked Commissioner Dorosin for his excellent comments. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton said the overall discussion is interesting and important, but the <br /> Board is only addressing one application at this meeting. She said further discussion should <br /> take place at a later time. <br /> Chair Price clarified the motion that needed to take place. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to <br /> receive the request, and authorize the acceptance of written comments via e-mail to the Board <br /> at ocbocc@orangecountync.gov or by delivery to the Planning Department's office at 131 West <br /> Margaret Lane, 2nd floor, Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278, until 9:00 a.m. on Thursday April <br /> 8, 2021; and to schedule a vote to take action on the Statement of Consistency (Attachment 8), <br />