Agenda 02-15-24; 2 - Consultant Briefing on Orange County Land Use Plan 2050

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8 objectives that can lead to more living wage jobs for residents and maintaining a healthy fiscal future for the County. • Facilitate Development of Affordable Housing - There is strong concern over the lack of affordable housing for the workforce and residents and that limited land and infrastructure available for development further challenges this issue. This includes housing for lower-income households that hold many jobs in the county as well as the growing challenge for middle-income households to find affordable housing. This is a regional issue that no local government jurisdiction can tackle alone. • Grow Transit service - Tied to affordable housing is the need to create better transit options that connect workers to employment and other destinations, in and between towns and rural areas. This includes creating "last mile" connections to transit by providing walkable and bikeable developments that provide access to transit. • Enhance Rural Area Assets - There is interest in providing more assets to rural residents, such as broadband, living-wage employment opportunities in the county, accessible daily service needs, and better road connectivity. • Plan with jurisdictional Partners - Interjurisdictional planning is likely needed in areas of common interest near jurisdictional boundaries to ensure common visions are being developed and successful outcomes are achieved. This also offers the opportunity for partnerships to leverage shared resources, particularly related to land conservation, transit service and transportation planning generally, economic development, and affordable housing production. The following sections provide more detail on the insights shared during interviews that led to development of the themes. Continue Land and Water Conservation Efforts and Address Climate Concerns • While many people move to Orange County because of UNC/UNC Health, many come for other reasons, predominant among those being the natural beauty and rural character of the county (especially relative to surrounding counties). • The Rural Buffer is seen by many environment-focused stakeholders as the primary facilitator of preserving Orange County's rural character outside Chapel Hill/Carrboro, and the main reason why Orange County doesn't resemble Chatham, Wake, or Alamance counties. • There are worries that Mebane's growth eastward, if not managed, will cause unmitigated growth into Orange County and endanger the environment. • Progressive environmental regulations in Orange County helps further land conservation and have allowed for continued watershed protection. Orange County, North Carolina - Land Use Plan 2050 1 Stakeholder Interviews Summary 5