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County’s important natural resources. <br /> <br />Staff Comment: The applicant provided an Environmental Assessment and a <br />Biological Inventory as part of the application package. Staff has reviewed and <br />determined no significant environmental impact is expected from this project based <br />on existing conditions. Required landscape buffers are provided along New Grady <br />Brown School Road and Orange Grove Road. In addition, existing landscape is <br />maintained along the entire perimeter of the site. The project protects the existing <br />stream on site with required stream buffering. <br /> <br /> Planning Principle 5. Preservation of Rural Land Use Pattern: The County’s rural <br />areas are a cherished component of the County’s character. Future development <br />should preserve and enhance the county’s rural landscape. <br /> <br />Staff Comment: The 2030 Comprehensive Plan, Appendix G, Land Use Classification <br />and Overlay Locational Criteria, identifies 10-Year Transition in the Comprehensive <br />Plan as areas changing from rural to urban in form and density. No additional impacts <br />(i.e. noise, traffic, lighting) shall result from the proposal. Existing landscaping is to <br />remain on-site acting as a buffer to adjacent properties and minimizing impacts to the <br />adjacent parcels. <br /> <br /> Planning Principle 6. Water Resources Preservation: The County has finite water <br />resources to provide to future populations. The protection and management of the <br />County’s water resources should be a high priority. <br /> <br />Staff Comment: The existing school is connected to public water and wastewater <br />service. No additional utilities are proposed. The project will continue to protect the <br />existing stream onsite. <br /> <br /> Planning Principle 7. Promotion of Economic Prosperity and Diversity: Development <br />of a diversity of new businesses and expansion of existing businesses should occur in <br />Orange County. <br /> <br />Staff Comment: Not applicable. <br /> <br /> Planning Principle 8. Preservation of Community Character: Future growth and <br />development should occur in a manner that preserves and enhances the existing <br />character of the County, its townships, and rural crossroads communities. <br /> <br />Staff Comment: The project proposes development which is consistent with the <br />existing high school. The existing school is appropriately located within the 10-year <br />Transition area, as defined in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The site is surrounded <br />by low density residential uses, undeveloped parcels, and the Interstate 40 corridor. <br />No additional traffic, lighting, or noise will occur from the proposed project. As a <br />result, no additional offsite impacts will result. The proposal shall not create a conflict <br />with the adjacent low density rural residential uses and undeveloped properties. <br />92