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2 <br /> b) Can any portion of our county be predictable or not for water supply/aquifer? <br /> c) Can well be tested ahead of approval for zoning change or building? Guilford Co ordinance <br /> was referenced with Fiddlehead? <br /> d) What is the science re community wells? Impacting other wells? Costs to drill? Costs to <br /> Maintain? Reliability? Failure rates? What is known and what is not known? In face of <br /> climate change? <br /> e) What else do we not know about wells that we should for health and for ample water <br /> supply? <br /> Additional information about the project, including e-mail sign-up for project updates, are available <br /> on the project website: https://www.orangecountylanduseplan.com. <br /> Completed project deliverables, including Fact Book; outreach summaries; and more, are also <br /> available on the project website: https://www.orangecountylanduseplan.com/resources <br /> Why does Orange County Need to Update its Land Use Plan? - In North Carolina, local <br /> governments that apply "...zoning regulations... shall adopt and reasonably maintain a <br /> comprehensive plan or land-use plan (North Carolina General Statute 160D-501(a)). This statute <br /> requires that zoning regulations are "in accordance with a comprehensive plan" and requires that <br /> local governments make statements of consistency when making rezoning decisions on a <br /> development application. The existing Orange County Comprehensive Plan was adopted in <br /> November 2008. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: At its August 26, 2025, Business meeting, the BOCC received cost <br /> estimates for information/presentations requested from independent experts (Attachment B) and <br /> directed staff on which to pursue. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Amendment #3, approved at the <br /> October 21, 2025 Business Meeting, included $18,270 for funding the additional professional <br /> services. <br /> ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: <br /> • GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION <br /> OBJECTIVE 4. Incentivize and promote sustainable agriculture and local food systems <br /> development through supportive policy, funding, farmland protection and educational <br /> outreach. <br /> OBJECTIVE 5. Review land use policies to promote and connect Town, County, and <br /> private trails and open spaces. <br /> OBJECTIVE 6. Protect water supply/watersheds. <br /> OBJECTIVE 7. Conserve and protect high priority open space, including Natural Heritage <br /> sites, nature preserves, watershed riparian buffers, and prime/threatened farmland. <br /> OBJECTIVE 8. Include environmental stewardship objectives in the Comprehensive Land <br /> Use Plan. <br /> • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY <br /> OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life <br /> of the community (e.g., recreation and public open spaces, arts, etc.) <br /> • GOAL 3: HOUSING FOR ALL <br /> OBJECTIVE 5. Review County ordinances, policies, agreements, and the regulatory <br /> processes to streamline practices, and increase opportunities and reduce barriers to <br /> construct housing. <br />