Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
27 <br /> January 11, 2023 <br /> Page 2 <br /> status, the Church duly applied for exemption under G.S. §105.278.3 and .5 on December 29, <br /> 2021. The former Church grounds in Chatham had been historically used for Church gatherings, <br /> exercise, recreation, outdoor classes and the like. These uses had been recognized by Chatham <br /> County as qualifying for exemption before the annexation. After receiving the Church's <br /> Application,the entirety of the 8.1353 acre tract was accepted as exempt. <br /> While the single tax parcel and the exemption were taken care of, there was still some <br /> unfinished business. In July 2022, Orange County Planning contacted the Church to advise <br /> additional steps had to be taken before all regulatory requirements were satisfied. More <br /> specifically, the Act did not transition zoning. This resulted in 4.6623 acres of the recombined <br /> 8.1353 acre tract being unzoned. <br /> Objective <br /> The Church seeks to comply with Orange County requirements in two ways: <br /> 1. Obtain a Zoning Atlas amendment to establish the same General Zoning <br /> Classification for 4.6623 acre newly annexed portion of the Church's property as <br /> currently applies to its original Orange County 3,4730 acre portion. <br /> 2. Obtain a FLUM designation for the 4.6623 acre portion of the Church's parcel the <br /> same as the existing Orange County 3.4730 portion. <br /> Factors Supporting Application <br /> a. Alleged Error in Zoning Atlas To Be Corrected. <br /> Technically, there is no error, nor is this a rezoning. It is an initial zoning of land not <br /> heretofore situated in Orange County. In most cases, an application for rezoning anticipates a <br /> change in use. Here there will be no change in use. The activities carried on within the boundaries <br /> of the Church's full 8.1353 footprint will be continued as before. Should the Church subsequently <br /> add or eliminate improvements to further its purposes, it will follow the permitting requirements <br /> otherwise applicable to Places of Worship elsewhere in the County. <br /> b. Consistency With Intent and Purpose of Adopted Comprehensive Plan. <br /> The 4.6623 acres annexed into Orange County have been utilized historically by the <br /> Church to further its religious mission and purpose. The 2030 Comprehensive Plan anticipates the <br /> area around the original Church acreage in Orange County will continue to be RB, in which a Place <br /> of Worship is a permitted use. The uses currently made of the unzoned acreage qualify under the <br /> Place of Worship category and accessory uses attendant thereto. <br />