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15 <br /> for an efficiency unit can result in some property owners having to subdivide their property in order <br /> to construct a larger unit, affecting the affordability of such homes and lots due to the professional <br /> service costs and review fees in creating a new lot. The increased flexibility of the proposed <br /> amendments will also allow for greater aging-in-place and multigenerational living opportunities, <br /> as well as serving equity needs by better enabling less-resourced property owners the abilities to <br /> realize viable secondary residences for rent or use by relations without requiring subdivision of <br /> property. <br /> In September 2021, the BOCC received information from a multi-department staff group regarding <br /> expansion of affordable housing incentives and opportunities. The agenda materials can be <br /> viewed at: Housing Affordability Study. Expanded use of accessory dwelling units was included <br /> as a strategy to increase affordable housing options within Orange County. <br /> Orange County is proposing to amend the UDO to: <br /> 1. increase the allowable size of an accessory dwelling unit to 50% of the primary <br /> dwelling, or 1,500 square feet, whichever is greater; <br /> 2. allow mobile homes to be efficiencies; and <br /> 3. modernize the language from "efficiency apartment" to "accessory dwelling unit" <br /> (ADU). <br /> The proposed UDO text amendment helps serve the goals and objectives of Orange County's <br /> 2022 Master Aging Plan and affordable housing strategy, as evidenced by the respective letters <br /> of support from the Orange County Department on Aging and Department of Housing, included <br /> as Attachment 4. <br /> Joint Planning Area (JPA) Review: In accordance with the Joint Planning Agreement with the <br /> Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, the amendment package was sent to the Town planning staffs <br /> on August 30, 2022. To date, Orange County staff has not received any comments from the <br /> Towns. <br /> Planning Board Recommendation: At its December 7, 2022 meeting, the Board voted 6-3 to <br /> recommend approval of the Statement of Consistency and the UDO amendment package. Draft <br /> meeting minutes and the signed Statement of Consistency from this meeting are included in <br /> Attachment 3 and meeting materials are available at: <br /> https://orangecountvnc.gov/AgendaCenterNiewFile/Agenda/ 12072022-1685 <br /> Prior to making its recommendation, the Planning Board had reviewed the materials in an <br /> "Ordinance Review Committee" meeting on October 5, 2022. Materials for this meeting are also <br /> available at: httr)s://orangecountvnc.qov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/ 10052022-1647 <br /> Planning Director's Recommendation: The Planning Director recommends approval of the: <br /> 1. Statement of Approval and Consistency indicating the text amendments are <br /> reasonable and in the public interest, as contained in Attachment 1. <br /> 2. Amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), as contained in <br /> Attachment 2. <br /> Cy Stober, Planning and Inspections Director, gave the following PowerPoint presentation: <br />