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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: January 20, 2026 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-h <br /> SUBJECT: Ordinance Execution for Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendments — <br /> Impervious Surfaces, Watershed Protection Overlay Districts, and Stream Buffers <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 1. Proposed Ordinance, Including UDO Christopher Sandt, County Engineer, 919- <br /> Text Amendments 245-2583 <br /> Patrick Mallett, Deputy Director, 919-245- <br /> 2592 <br /> Cy Stober, Director, 919-245-2592 <br /> PURPOSE: To adopt an ordinance approving text amendments to the Unified Development <br /> Ordinance (UDO), as required by North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 160D-601(c), based on <br /> the Board's public hearing and approval at the November 18, 2025 Business meeting. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Orange County Planning & Inspections Department initiated text <br /> amendments to UDO Sections 2.20, 4.2, 6.13, and Article 10. The proposed text amendments <br /> (i.e., Impervious Surfaces, Watershed Protection Overlay Districts, and Stream Buffers) were <br /> presented to the Board at the November 18, 2025, Business meeting, at which a public hearing <br /> was held and the proposed text amendments were unanimously approved by the Board. <br /> However, the required Ordinance (first page of Attachment 1 in this January 20, 2026 agenda <br /> item) was erroneously not included within the November 18, 2025 agenda item. Because NCGS <br /> 160D-601(c) requires that amendments to the UDO be adopted via ordinance, this agenda item <br /> is being presented to the Board for adoption of the required ordinance. <br /> It should however be noted that, subsequent to the November 18, 2025 meeting, staff discovered <br /> errors within the revisions proposed to Table 4.2.6. The errors have no immediate consequence <br /> in regard to statutory compliance, but are relevant to internal consistency and clarity matters. As <br /> a result, the revisions to Table 4.2.6 are not proposed for adoption at this time, as noted on the <br /> affected page in Attachment 1. The revisions to Table 4.2.6 will alternatively be included in an <br /> omnibus amendment that staff is currently preparing for consideration in the first half of 2026. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There are no costs associated with these text amendments or the <br /> associated ordinance other than staff time. Staff has and will continue to accomplish the <br /> necessary tasks associated with formally amending the UDO once the required ordinance is <br /> adopted for this purpose. <br /> ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: <br /> • GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION <br /> OBJECTIVE 6. Protect water supply/watersheds. <br />