Orange County NC Website
7 <br /> Commissioner Richards asked for clarification on policy limitations. She asked if they <br /> are state limitations or local ones. She also asked about the length of the LIDO and if that is <br /> within the County's control to streamline. <br /> John Roberts said the UDO is under the County's control, and the length is due to policy <br /> considerations that the Board has had for many years. He said it could be streamlined but that <br /> would take a great deal of work and clear direction from the Board of County Commissioners <br /> (BOCC). <br /> Commissioner Richards asked if the policies are from Orange County or the State. <br /> John Roberts said some are state and some are local. He said some are the result of <br /> working with municipal partners for years, such as the rural buffer. He said changes would <br /> require a lot of coordination and work by staff and the town partners. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton reminded the Board to consider its goals. She asked if there <br /> are targets for affordable housing, and what can be done under existing constraints. She also <br /> said the list of stakeholders should be expanded to hear more viewpoints. <br /> Commissioner Greene said the question is what can the County do about affordable <br /> housing that is under its jurisdictional control. She said she thought the County's role was to <br /> support affordable housing within the municipalities. <br /> Commissioner Bedford asked for clarification on how affordable housing is being <br /> defined. <br /> Chair Price said 30% Average Median Income. <br /> James Bryan said depending on the method, one can define affordable housing how <br /> one wants. He said some programs have definitions already decided. <br /> Corey Root said it is usually defined at 80% and lower. She said 30% and below is a <br /> very particular interest with people who have very low incomes. <br /> Corey Root said there is cooperation in the community to address affordable housing, <br /> and the affordable housing commission is very collaborative. <br /> Chair Price said when the subject was brought up it was to determine how to help <br /> people displaced by gentrification. She said some of the policies and zoning rules that Orange <br /> County has locally drives up the cost of housing. She said the question is how does the BOCC <br /> manage growth and development, while providing for people of all income levels to live here. <br /> Commissioner Fowler asked if any of the five recommendations help make mobile home <br /> developments easier. <br /> James Bryan said it could. He said one is the rural buffer and water and sewer. He <br /> said this would strike at density and getting services closer close. He said updating the <br /> comprehensive plan would correct messages about priorities, and would allow obstacles and <br /> opportunities to be more visible. He said it is likely that substantial changes to the <br /> comprehensive plan will be needed. He said the density bonus could play into this, but it likely <br /> will not as it does not work. He said the initial bonds money could be applied to anything, in his <br /> understanding. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked for clarification of the goal of the work session. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said staff would like direction from the Board on next steps, based <br /> on information provided to the BOCC from the staff. She said staff takes notes during the <br /> conversation. <br /> Maria Dewees made the following PowerPoint presentation: <br />