Agenda - 06-08-2004-6d - Laserfiche WebLink

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agricultural and undeveloped rural land. Past planning efforts have helped keep these areas intact and future efforts will place greater attention on their protection. In terms of transportation planning, an RPO perspective is more attuned to maintaining the integrity of the rural areas. 8. The MPO planning process is Federally mandated whereas the RPO process is State mandated. Because of this, RPOs have no access to MPO Federal funding. Response: How much Federal funding is Orange County likely to receive? Unless the County is forfeiting large sums by going with the RPO this is likely anon-issue. The County still feels that the interests of its rural areas are best served by the RPO concept. Concluding Comments Orange County thinks it is important that planning designations complement, rather than contradict one another. Through the update of its Comprehensive Plan: Land Use Element, Orange County is attempting to define more clearly, the distinction between urban and rural areas. To reinforce this distinction, the following strategies are proposed: 1. Lower residential densities in the rural areas 2. Urban growth boundaries where infrastructure will be limited 3. Potential density transfer programs for rural areas Expected benefits from these strategies include, but are not limited to: • Reduced development impacts on agriculture • Fewer vehicle miles traveled resulting in improved air quality • Enhanced water quality (surface and groundwater) • Protection of the natural and cultural environment • Rural character preservation If the MPO designates all of Orange County as "urban" while the County designates certain areas as rural -and through its land use plans, policies, and ordinances, clearly demonstrates a commitment to this concept -then it sends a mixed message to farmers, rural property owners, and land developers. As part of the TAC discussions on MPO boundary changes, we recommend that the Orange County Planning Director or his designee, be invited to a TAC meeting to present current thinking on the County's plans for rural areas. We are supportive of "smoothing" boundaries as contained in option one. However, all other areas should remain in the RPO.