9-4-24 PB Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

23 ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 4, 2024 Action Agenda Item No. 8 SUBJECT: Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendment — Landscaping Standards DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Statement of Consistency Perdita Holtz, Deputy Director, 919-245- 2. Proposed Ordinance, Including UDO Text 2578 Amendments Cy Stober, Director, 919-245-2592 PURPOSE: To review and make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on County-initiated text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) pertaining to Landscaping standards to allow for better achievement of established UDO and 2030 Comprehensive Plan goals, clarify language for improved administration and enforcement, and to reflect contemporary best professional standards. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Planning Department initiated an amendment to the UDO Landscaping standards, as found in Section 6.8 "Landscaping, Buffers & Tree Protection". The proposed amendments are intended to be comprehensive in addressing overly complex text, improved interpretation and application for both staff and applicants, and to resolve concerns addressed in Arter v. Orange County. The first draft of the amendments were reviewed by the Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) on April 3, 2024. Notes from this meeting are posted at: https://www.orangecountync.gov/AgendaCenter/Planning-Board-26. The proposed amendments in Attachment 2 include minor revisions in response to comments made at the ORC meeting and to address comments from County Attorney staff. In compliance with the Orange County-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Joint Planning Land Use Plan and Agreement, the proposed amendments were sent to both towns for comment on March 22, 2024. To date, no comments have been received. Planning Director's Recommendation: The Planning Director recommends approval of the: 1. Statement of Approval and Consistency indicating the text amendments are reasonable and in the public interest, as contained in Attachment 1. 2. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) text amendments, as contained in Attachment 2. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There are no costs associated with this project other than the use of staff time and the required legal advertisement for the text amendment's public hearing. County staff has and will continue to accomplish the necessary tasks associated with amending the UDO and the legal advertisement will be paid from budgeted funds for this purpose.