Orange County NC Website
24 <br /> Task 4.4.3 Environment, Recreation and Parks, Working Lands, and Open Spaces Policies, Strategies, and <br /> Actions <br /> Equinox will develop a series of policy statements, implementation strategies, and actions. Strategy and <br /> action recommendations could include, but are not limited to: natural environment; working lands, <br /> farmland, and food; sustainability; conservation; and parks and greenways/trails. Our team will work with <br /> the County to ensure there is an equitable distribution of investments and strategies that serve all. If <br /> strategies need to be communicated visually, maps may be employed to show future recreation, <br /> conservation, and farmland strategies.An example of this could be a Farmland &Conservation Map <br /> showing priority conservation areas and highlighting programs. Another example could be a Healthy <br /> Community Map showing all existing and proposed recreation/greenway assets, highlighting regional <br /> initiatives like the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and indicating any new park and recreation strategies or <br /> proposed investments. <br /> Task 4.4.4 Land Use and Character Policies, Strategies, and Actions <br /> The Land Use and Character policies, strategies, and actions will be developed to provide overall County <br /> land use guidance as well as specific guidance to unique planning areas.The policies will describe land use <br /> priorities that are supported by the community and identify strategies to support development of these <br /> uses. Strategies and actions can also include incentives or new standards to support the development <br /> forms envisioned for the County. Existing policy direction that is still relevant (identified in Task 2.1) will be <br /> incorporated. <br /> This section of the plan will also include the Growth and Conservation Framework map and categories <br /> that will designate all lands within the County's planning and zoning jurisdiction.These categories will <br /> define the general character, land uses, and general form of development envisioned in each area. Form <br /> characteristics will be coordinated with transportation planning efforts to ensure that land use and <br /> transportation policies are supporting the same character objectives.This will create a framework for any <br /> necessary small area planning efforts that may be recommended for implementation through the plan, <br /> including any updated needed to joint planning areas with municipalities. <br /> This will be a collaborative team effort that will consider economic, environmental, and social equity <br /> considerations to identify the most appropriate locations for different uses and types of character. Special <br /> efforts will be taken to implement the guidance provided in the One Orange County Racial Equity Plan and <br /> the County's Strategic Plan to respond to changing housing needs of BIPOC populations and persons <br /> suffering from homelessness and those experiencing mental health conditions.This is also an opportunity <br /> to support the County's current policies to promote development along existing public transportation <br /> routes and support development of affordable housing near transportation facilities and jobs. <br /> Opportunities to advance the County's economic development and tourism objectives will also be core <br /> considerations for defining land use and character areas. <br /> Language in the plan will link policy guidance to applicable zoning in the County's Unified Development <br /> Ordinance. It will also include recommended updates to the ordinance that result from planning process <br /> outcomes. <br /> 12 Orange County Comprehensive Land Use Plan <br />