Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
2 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> PLANNING BOARD <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 3, 2024 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 2 <br /> SUBJECT: Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendment — Tobacco and Hemp Retail Use <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1. Proposed UDO Text Amendments (excerpt) Cy Stober, Director (919) 245-2592 <br /> PURPOSE: To review and make a comment upon a Commissioner-initiated text amendments <br /> to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) regarding use, regulation, and definition of <br /> "Tobacco and Hemp Retail" use. <br /> BACKGROUND: At the February 6, 2024, meeting of the Orange County Board of <br /> Commissioners, at the introduction of Commissioner Fowler, the BOCC directed the County <br /> Attorney's Office to provide a drafted UDO amendment to regulate the retail use of businesses <br /> that primarily rely upon the sale of tobacco and hemp products. The intent is to limit exposure <br /> of minors to such products, as well as ensure that they are not densely focused in any one part <br /> of Orange County. Basing proposed amendment language on recently-adopted amendments <br /> to Wake County's ordinances for similar purposes, the County Attorney's Office provided draft <br /> language to the Planning Department for review and presentation as an UDO amendment. <br /> Orange County is proposing to amend the UDO to: <br /> 1. Define "Tobacco and Hemp Retail" use; <br /> 2. Allow "Tobacco and Hemp Retail" as a use in NR-CD zoning districts; and <br /> 3. Requiring that any such establishment be at least 1,000 feet from any of the <br /> following: <br /> A. Tobacco and Hemp Retail; <br /> B. Schools, including: <br /> Schools: Performing Arts, Sports, and Recreation, <br /> Schools: Preparatory, <br /> Schools: Technical, Trade, and Skill Training, and <br /> Schools: Universities, Colleges; <br /> C. Parks and Recreational Facilities; and <br /> D. All Residential Uses <br />