Minutes-03-14-2023-Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 Lodging - $38.97 million Food and Beverage - $73.98 million Recreation - $29.9 million Retail - $16.37 million Transportation - $36.4 million Total of$194.18 - million dollars Sharon Hill said they advertise nationally to continue to bring visitors to the area. She said they have a staff of 6 and they are focused on managing demand from visitors, servicing guests and groups, communicating about Orange County's restaurants, events, people, and changing landscape, managing digital platforms, and publishing media and other promotional and marketing. Chair Bedford said the current issue of Orange Slices was really informative. She said she was also pleased to see an accessibility guide. Crystal Wu of the Arts Commission said they are proud to have provided aid to arts during COVID. She said they raised $600,000 for artists in a fundraiser. She said they have completed their first year of operation at the Eno Arts Mill. She said that 44% of the artists identify as a member of a marginalized community and 38 tenants are people of color. She said they have disbursed $207,000 in grants. She said that the UPROAR event is coming this summer and they are in the midst of planning for that. She said they received a grant for LGTBQ+ Teen Arts Collective. She said that they Hosted the Paint It Orange event and 66 artists participated. She said that looking to the future, a lack of arts space remains a challenge in Orange County. She said they will continue to work with the Eno Mill to provide space. She said that they are trying to increase physical space to provide access despite socioeconomic status. She said that challenges include capacity, need for more staff, and managing operations with 2.5 staff. She said that managing the operations of the 10,000 square foot space it is evident they need more staff. She said that it was designed to be financially self-sustaining but that requires pricing programs to market rather than affordable. Leon Meyers of the Orange County Board of Adjustment said the Board hears appeals to decisions of planning staff and applications for variances to the UDO. He said that all of the positions are filled for the first time in several years. He said the Board heard two cases last year. He said the Board responds to applications from citizens and have no other programs other than that. He said the members are active participants and show up prepared for the meetings. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if there were specific concerns. Leon Meyer said they have no concerns, no agenda, goals, or strategies because they are a function of the General Assembly. Chair Bedford thanked Tara May for her efforts in getting the positions filled on the Board of Adjustment. Adam Beeman of the Orange County Planning Board said they exist because of general statute and review UDO and text amendments. He said they made an applicant-initiated request in Efland. He said they reviewed the White Cross application for a Dollar General store and the applicant withdrew their application. He said they reviewed and made a recommendation for a Dollar Tree in Cedar Grove and the applicant withdrew their application. He said they meet monthly. He said they want to collaborate with other boards in the future. He said they are patiently waiting for broadband in northern Orange County. He said that many board members are concerned about climate change, growth, watershed protection, and addressing water and sewer issues for commercial activity out in the county, notjust around Highway 70. He said there is a need to get transit out in the county. Chair Bedford said they had a report about facility needs and she was emailing about the water and wastewater needs for growth that is projected over the next forty years. She said that with the Planning Board's support hopefully they will get a lot of public input.