Orange County NC Website
4 <br /> all of the Board of Adjustment seats are now filled. He said staff has done a great job providing <br /> Spanish language translation for meetings. He said they have monthly meetings scheduled to <br /> facilitate any hearing they might need to have. <br /> Chair Bedford said that she would like to give the Deputy Clerk credit for being organized <br /> and helping with recruitment efforts. <br /> Leon Meyers said absolutely, and the positions are not filled unless people go out and find <br /> them. <br /> Chair Bedford said she appreciated the professionalism shown by the Board of Adjustment <br /> in difficult cases. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked if the changes to 160D would have a big impact. <br /> Leon Meyers said that was a big change that the Board accommodated during 2022 by <br /> updating the rules and aligning them with 160D. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked if all of that was complete. <br /> Leon Meyers said that was complete. <br /> Commissioner Fowler asked when new members are trained. <br /> Leon Meyers said they had a training session in January and new members get an <br /> orientation as well. <br /> Adam Beeman of the Orange County Planning Board reviewed the information listed in <br /> the board's work plan which was included in the agenda packet. He said they meet monthly and <br /> include training during those meetings. <br /> Commissioner Fowler expressed her appreciation to the Planning Board for all of the work <br /> they do. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that staff and Lumos are working on addressing doughnut <br /> holes in internet service. <br /> Chair Bedford said there are legal issues, but that there may be a solution in December <br /> or January. <br /> Vice-Chair Greene thanked him for pointing out that there is growth toward Mebane and <br /> said that there should be more formal coordination with Mebane, and she has made requests that <br /> they have a joint meeting. <br /> Chair Bedford said that the issues the Planning Board identified to work on over the next <br /> year are good and fit well with the timing of updates to the comprehensive plan. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton asked how the Planning Board gives input to the 2050 <br /> Comprehensive Plan. <br /> Adam Beeman said that they received a presentation from Clarion and the have provided <br /> feedback and they are intertwined in that area. He said a lot of feedback showed that people <br /> wanted to remain natural with no growth, but no one wants to pay for that. He said that he does <br /> not know how that can be balanced. He asked Clarion how they plan to pay for the desire to have <br /> no economic growth. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton said that Clarion provides information to the Planning Board, and <br /> they give feedback. <br /> Adam Beeman said yes. <br /> Commissioner Richards asked how they will address the list of issues that are on their <br /> work plan for the year, particularly the Rural Enterprises issue. <br /> Adam Beeman said that the Planning Board can discuss issues, but that staff would need <br /> direction from the BOCC before any research and concrete planning can be done. <br /> Michael Hughes from the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) said one of <br /> their most important accomplishments was recommending the county approve the NC DOT/NC <br /> 54 multi modal corridor study, to upgrade NC54 to one that looks more like the bypass around <br /> Chapel Hill. He said that would be four lanes, bicycle lanes, and sidewalks. He said it will make <br /> that area look very different and that they made that recommendation after very serious <br /> deliberations. He said NC DOT already has the right of way. He said they are also looking at <br />