Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
 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, particularly Appendix G: Land Use <br />Classification and Overlay Locational Criteria, identifies the Rural Community Activity <br />Node land use classification as “land focused on designated road intersections which <br />serves as a nodal crossroads for the surrounding rural community and is an <br />appropriate location for any of the following uses: church, fire station, small post <br />office, school, or other similar institutional uses and one or more commercial uses.” <br />The subdivision proposed with the binding site plan adheres to the density of rural <br />development reflected in the surrounding area’s residential land use patterns, with an <br />overall density of 1 dwelling unit per 1.42 acres, not including the property owner’s <br />future parcel. It does, however, achieve this by concentrating lots to protect the more <br />sensitive areas of the land from development, respecting the rural character and <br />environmental protections prioritized by the Comprehensive Plan. This measured <br />approach is compatible with the nodal crossroads location, introducing more <br />households in an environmentally-sensitive conservation cluster pattern that will <br />support the node’s present and future non-residential uses while being consistent with <br />the residential development densities of the surrounding area. <br /> <br />Any development resulting from the Conditional District rezoning approval will <br />conform with all applicable UDO regulations to ensure development does not create <br />undue impacts to the surrounding uses of single-family residential and small <br />commercial uses. <br /> <br />The binding site plan subject to the Conditional District proposes Common Open <br />Space on 25.11 acres, or 41.11% of the parcel subject to rezoning. The applicant has <br />stated a commitment to ensuring that the rural and historic character of the <br />community is incorporated into the design of the neighborhood and architecture of the <br />shared amenities. Exhibits addressing rural and historic character are included in the <br />conditions offered by the applicant. <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 site-specific plan presented for the proposed zoning atlas <br />amendment proposes the use of a community well. The future subdivision will not <br />require use of public utilities. Any future development will be subject to regulation <br />under the County’s stormwater and stream buffer regulations. <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 />133