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Draft April 16, ?004 <br />Proposed Concept for a Transfer of <br />Development Rights (TDR) Program, 2004 <br />Goals. The goals of the program could include the following: <br />1. Directing growth and development activities away from important natural and cultural <br />resources. <br />2. Shifting and converting rural to non-residential urban growth and development activities <br />toward areas supported by efficient public services at urban densities. <br />3. Providing working farms with an alternative income potential. <br />4. Preserving the rural Orange County character and sense of place. <br />5. Protecting drinking water resources. <br />6. Overarching balance and preservation of both rural and urban resources to create a <br />sustainable program of growth and identifying constraints and potentials, <br />Objectives. To accomplish these goals the following objectives could be posed: <br />1. Direct growth and development activities away from important natural and cultural <br />resources, <br />2. Shift growth and development activities to areas more able to support municipal services <br />and urban densities.. <br />3, Provide working farms with an alternative income potential. <br />4. Link zoning densities to comprehensive plan goals and objectives. <br />Legal Framework <br />Proposed Policy. WitAin the fi'amex~ork of the Nor`dt Carolina State Constitution, Orange Co:urly <br />supports and encourager dre preservation of working farndands acrd the protective: ofpublic <br />di°inking x~ater° quality through innovative coning techniques x~ith a sensitivity to pr°ivate property <br />rights, through a volurrtmy program of h`ansferringprivatedevetopment rights ve° densities <br />(TDR). Such a TDR progrnnr will cvertinue to protect and safeguard the public health, safety, and <br />welfare of the citizens of Orange County, its naha al and c:dtural lreritnge and the needs of a, free <br />real estate mm•ket place in Orange County, <br />Recosunendations, fi•orx O{i'ASA study. <br />Seek consideration by Canboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County for Transfer of Development <br />Rights (TDR) opportunities for Cane Creek property owners, With appropriate enabling <br />legislation, these.jurisdictions could establish higher density "receiving areas" in which <br />developers could exercise development rights (density bonuses) purchased directly from property <br />owners in the watershed. OWASA and its customers would benefit from decreased density in the <br />watershed; Cane Creek property owners would benefit from TDR payments in return for <br />additional (voluntary) development reshictions; and in-town developers would benefit through <br />density bonuses in designated areas. All transactions would remain in the private sector, <br />Poterrtinl Action Stnten:ents. <br />• Work with the Orange County state representatives and senators to sponsor legislation to <br />enable local North Carolina governments to establish a voluntary TDR program. <br />• After review and recommendation from the TDR Task Force and the Planning Board, the <br />Board of County Commissioners will adopt the Orange County TDR program. <br />