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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 96Y761�zai�� ✓rtk2cff S ( 2OD3 DECISION IT7Febru ABSTRACT Meeting Date: , 2003 Action Agenda Item No. SUBJECT: Major Subdivision and Rural Buffer Notification and Flexible Development Amendments DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) NO ATTACHMENT(S): Ordinance Amendment p 3 Minutes Nov. 25, 2002 Public Hearing p 6 INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Benedict, Planning Director, ext. 2592 Robert P. Davis, Planner III, ext. 2580 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732 -8181 Chapel Hill 968 -4501 Durham 688 -7331 Mebane 336- 227 -2031 PURPOSE: To make a decision on a Subdivision Regulations amendment to: 1) allow flexible development guidelines to be applied in the Rural Buffer Zoning District, 2) enhance the notification procedures by requiring an informational sign to be placed on major subdivision proposals in the County planning jurisdiction prior to Neighborhood Information Meetings, and 3) increase, at concept stage, the percentage of lots that requires a soil analysis by a soil scientist. BACKGROUND: During a recent subdivision approval for a tract in the Rural Buffer, citizens adjacent to the development proposal questioned why there were no resident notifications for major subdivision proposals in the Rural Buffer similar to those required in other zoning districts. There was also a question concerning why there is not an open space component required in Rural Buffer developments. After a discussion of the review standards in the other zoning districts, it was decided that an amendment to subdivision regulations was needed in order to create consistent procedures in both the development and the public notification process for major subdivisions within County - regulated zoning districts. The Subdivision Regulations presently require that only Conventional Development apply to major subdivisions in the Rural Buffer. The property owner notification of a Neighborhood Information Meeting (NIM) and mandatory open space provisions are components of the Flexible Development guidelines of the Subdivision Regulations. Flexible Development is not allowed in the Rural Buffer. Therefore, there is no NIM and developments have tended toward projects that had either no open space or an amount less than 33 %. These amendments, if approved, will mandate application of the Flexible Development standards in the Rural Buffer, provided that proposals are in accordance with the Joint Planning Area agreement and rules. For major subdivisions in the Rural Buffer, two -acre lot minimums and at least 33% open space will be required for all Flexible Development proposals. The Conventional Development Plan option will still be optional as it is now in non -Rural Buffer districts. In summary, this amendment means that