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46 <br /> Introduction <br /> Orange County Planning Staff prepared this document in response to residents' questions and comments regarding the <br /> Buckhorn Area Study that was undertaken by the City of Mebane and Orange County. The Study was a combined effort <br /> of the two jurisdictions. <br /> Staff hopes that residents and the Board of County Commissioners will find this document useful. <br /> 1. Land Use History/Project Initialization <br /> 1.a. What is the Buckhorn Area Study? <br /> The Buckhorn Area Study(originally the Buckhorn Area Plan) is a technical study of future land use and potential utility <br /> services to identify properties that could be zoned for nonresidential purposes and best support economic development <br /> while balancing the costs of utility service extensions. The study used GIS mapping to determine parcels most suitable <br /> for development within the study area. The study process allowed for a technical review of multiple development <br /> factors, including: <br /> • Developable acres • Water Infrastructure <br /> • Preservation areas • Interstate Access <br /> • Average (mean) slope • Interstate Visibility <br /> • Watersheds • Roadway Access <br /> • Sewer Infrastructure • Access to Existing Rail Lines <br /> Past plans in the area were reviewed to ensure that the vision, goals, and strategy for the area aligned with the <br /> recommendations to the Buckhorn Area Study. The study area was defined after significant consideration of existing <br /> land uses, environmental impacts and economic potential. <br /> 1.b. What was the catalyst for the Buckhorn Area Study? <br /> Mebane's Comprehensive Land Development Plan, Mebane by Design, was adopted in 2017 and provides a vision for <br /> Mebane's growth through 2035. In its 2017 version, Mebane by Design did not fully address the areas that fell outside <br /> of its Future Growth Area, including the Medline site. As such,the City of Mebane needed to amend Mebane by Design. <br /> The Buckhorn Area Study provided the necessary focus to amend the G-2 Industrial (V) Growth Area as well as the <br /> Future Growth Area boundary line in Mebane by Design. <br /> In Orange County's case, as suggested by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in late 2018, staff was to research <br /> the development potential of existing designated economic development zones, as well as other viable sites. A prior <br /> engineering analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) by Timmons Group of the <br /> economic development districts bolstered the need for additional study, which led to the Buckhorn Area Study. <br /> 1.c. What was the scope of the study? <br /> The Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC) Scope of Services,taken from its contract with the City of Mebane, <br /> included: <br /> • Staff meetings <br /> • Analysis of existing conditions, prior studies, environmental constraints, and water/sewer infrastructure <br /> • Evaluation of growth trends, population and jobs <br /> • Stakeholder interviews with schools, businesses, and organizations <br /> • Public information meeting <br /> • Presentation of Study to Mebane Council and Orange County BOCC <br />