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5 <br /> �1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> NORTH CAROLINA <br /> PLANNING and INSPECTIONS <br /> Cy Stober,AICP,Director I cstober@orangecountync.gov 1131 W.Margaret Lane,Hillsborough,NC 27278 1919.245•2575 <br /> DATE: July 26, 2023 <br /> TO: Orange County Planning Board <br /> FROM: Ashley Moncado, Planner III <br /> RE: Information Item — Planning and Inspections Communications Update <br /> Last year, the Planning and Inspections Department initiated efforts to improve the <br /> communication and distribution of information related to Planning projects. These efforts <br /> include an active partnership with the Orange County Community Relations <br /> Department, significant revisions to the Department website, and creation of a regular <br /> public newsletter. <br /> Community Relations <br /> Since December 2022, the Planning Department has been working closely with <br /> Community Relations staff on several initiatives to assist the department in <br /> disseminating information on planning related projects to a larger audience. Community <br /> Relations staff has provided support with the design and display of graphics on screens <br /> in Orange County facilities, news flashes, social media posts, and the inclusion of <br /> planning-related projects in Orange County newsletters. In addition, staff has assisted <br /> with internal efforts in creating a Critical Information Request (CIR) form and process to <br /> streamline the distribution of information from the Department. <br /> Planning and Inspections Department Website <br /> Initiated in July 2022, the Department website was redesigned to be more user friendly <br /> and to be easier to navigate for the public and staff. This project included a thorough <br /> review, reorganization, and redesign of existing webpages, documents, and <br /> informational materials. A new landing page was created on the Department's main <br /> page including the introduction of several user-friendly icons designed by Community <br /> Relations staff. The website redesign project resulted in the reformatting and translation <br /> of the Department's applications and forms, including their translation to Spanish. <br /> This project also included the development and incorporation of four new interactive <br /> maps on the website including a Future Land Use map, Zoning map, Water Supply <br /> Watershed map, and Active Development Projects map. The goal of the Active <br /> Development Projects map and webpage is to provide information on all development <br /> applications submitted to the Planning Department in a more efficient and accessible <br /> format. <br /> Newsletter <br /> The most recent effort to improve communication and outreach includes the distribution <br /> of the Planning and Inspections Newsletter. The newsletter includes information related <br /> to Neighborhood Information Meetings, Planning Board meeting agendas and actions, <br /> Board of County Commissioners meeting agendas and actions (related to Planning <br /> applications and projects), and application submittals. The newsletter is planned to be <br /> expanded this fall to include long-range planning projects, including the Comprehensive <br />