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i Q t31 <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />AN D <br />PLANNING BOARD <br />PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: <br />August 26, 2002 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item Na. C - ~ <br />SUBJECT: Telecommunication Tower Ordinance Amendments <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections <br />PUBLIC HEARING: {YIN) YES <br />ATTACHMENT(5}: <br />Proposed Ordinance Amendments <br />--Table of Permitted Uses Amendment <br />Proposed Schedule of Fee Amendment <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Craig Benedict, Director, Ext. 2592 <br />Tom Ki ng, Planner l1, Ext. 2607 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBI=RS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br />Durham 688-733'1 <br />Mebane 336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To receive public comments regarding proposed Telecommunication Tower <br />(Telco)Amendments <br />BACKGROUND: On March fi, 2002 the Board of County Commissioners approved asix-month <br />moratorium on the processing of Special Use Permits relating to Telecommunication Towers. <br />The purpose of the moratorium was to allow staff sufficient time to gather information, prepare <br />amendments and to make a presentation at the August 26, 2002 Quarterly Public Mearing <br />pertaining to updating/revising the existing regulations. As the industry has been rapidly <br />changing, so does the need to keep up to date. The Planning staff met with all interested <br />County Departments, twice, to discuss areas of common interest. EMS and IT,-as well as other <br />functions, have a stake in the telecommunications. <br />Staff held an informational meeting with telecommunication industry representatives an July 31, <br />2002 to receive their comments and concerns on the proposals. Seven people attended the <br />meeting. Primary concerns were limiting application review to once per year, clarification of <br />`existing structures' definition, drop in tower height, required inspections and fees. <br />On August 12, 2002 staff held a meeting with potential participants in the Master <br />Telecommunication Plan ("Plan"} program to gauge interest in the Plan. Six persons attended <br />the meeting. Farmers participating in the voluntary agricultural district program were particularly <br />interested in additional revenue sources to help offset rising farming expenses and promote <br />sustainability. It was expressed that additional income from land leases to telecommunication <br />providers could be the difference in continuing to farm versus having to sell off parts of the farm <br />to pay rising expenses. <br />G/robert/cell tower amendment! abstract Public Hearing <br />