Orange County NC Website
80 <br /> S-5. Invest in green infrastructure toreduce <br /> the environmental impactof development • <br /> redevelopment. <br /> Orange County will prioritize the use of nature-based solutions and <br /> green infrastructure to improve water quality, preserve biodiversity and <br /> ecosystem services, and mitigate the effects of climate change while <br /> fostering long-term resilience in the county. <br /> The intent of this policy is to reduce the environmental footprint of development by <br /> incorporating green infrastructure when planning for development and redevelopment <br /> projects. By prioritizing the use of natural systems to manage stormwater, improve <br /> air and water quality,and promote habitat restoration,the policy aims to enhance <br /> sustainability, mitigate urban heat island effects,and strengthen the community's ability <br /> to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. In coordination with the Orange <br /> County Climate Action Plan,State of the Environment report, Lands Legacy Program <br /> Action Plan, Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan,and other relevant planning <br /> efforts,this approach seeks to provide long-term environmental,social,and economic <br /> benefits by promoting sustainable land-use practices and improving the quality of life <br /> for residents. Objectives of this policy include: <br /> • Continue to promote green infrastructure stormwater management on County- <br /> owned properties such as constructed wetlands, bioswales, bioretention, green <br /> roofs, permeable surfaces,and other nature-based stormwater control measures <br /> (SCMs). <br /> • Continue to promote conservation subdivisions that conserve priority areas and <br /> connect open spaces. <br /> • Improve air and water quality, based on the data and recommendations provided <br /> by the most recent Orange County State of the Environment report. <br /> • Preserve biodiversity following recommendations provided by the Lands Legacy <br /> Program Action Plan and Landscape Plan for Wildlife Habitat Connectivity in the <br /> Eno River and New Hope Creek Watersheds. <br /> • Increase resilience to climate change by pursuing the goals and following the <br /> recommendations provided by the Orange County Climate Action Plan and the <br /> Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. <br /> • Incentivize green infrastructure adoption and establish guidelines and support <br /> systems for the long-term maintenance of green infrastructure.This could <br /> potentially be accomplished through waiving or reducing development standards, <br /> providing density bonuses, or encouraging stormwater volume credit trading <br /> programs. <br /> ORANGE COUNTY LAND USE PLAN 2050 77 <br />