Agenda - 09-16-2003-9b - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 16, 2003 Action Aged Item No. SUBJECT: Amendment to the Subdivision Regulations Regarding Street Access for Major Subdivisions DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Ordinance Amending Orange County Craig Benedict, ext. 2592 Subdivision Regulations (Planning Board revision) Karen Lincoln, ext. 2594 2. Ordinance Amending Orange County TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Subdivision Regulations (from Public Hearing) Hillsborough 732-8181 3. May 27, 2003 Joint Public Hearing Minutes Chapel Hill 968-4501 4. August 6, 2003 Planning Board Minutes Durham 688-7331 Mebane (336)227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider a proposed amendment to the Orange County Subdniision Regulations, Section IV- B-3-b. BACKGROUND: Staff, at the May 27, 2003 Quarterly Public Hearing, presented a proposed change to the Orange County Subdivision Regulations to require that major subdivisions access paved public roads. The proposed amendment was then referred to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned to the Board of County Commissioners no sooner August 19, 2003. The Planning Board voted 5 to 3 to approve a revised amendment. The revision requires major subdivisions of 13 or more lots to access a paved public road, and exempts major subdivisions of 6 to 12 lots that meet justification standards to provide private roads. Private roads are permitted in subdivisions having 12 or fewer lots provided the application meets private road justification requirements. Those voting against the revised amendment cited ease of understanding/ interpreting the ordinance. Currently, subdivision regulations require that "All subdivisions shall have at least one street which intersects with or joins a public, municipal street, or a public, State maintained street." Not all State maintained roads are currently paved. A major consideration in reviewing subdivision proposals is land suitability. The road providing access for the subdivision should be considered as part of the suitability of a parcel for subdivision since moderate to large developments can have a significant impact on the public transportation infrastructure. Orange County Subdivision Regulations (Appendix A) require paved public roads in subdivisions having more than 12 lots. To ensure a safe and coordinated street system, the road providing access to the paved subdivision road should be at least comparable to the same standard of construction as the subdivision roads. A public road that provides access to a major