Agenda - 12-02-2002-9a - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DECISION ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 2, 2002 Action Age~a Item No. SUBJECT: Telecommunications Tower Ordinance Amendments DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) NO ATTACHMENT(S): Administration Ordinance Pg 6 Table of Permitted Uses Amendment Pg 29a INFORMATION CONTACT: Recommended Changes by Planning Brd. Pg 29b Craig Benedict, Director, Ext. 2592 Planning Board Ordinance (Draft copy) Pg 46 Tom King, Planner II, Ext. 2607 Proposed Schedule of Fees Amendment Pg 67 S peakers info presented @ Public Hearing TELEPHONE NUMBERS: and Planning Board Pg 68 Minutes of August 26, 2002 Public Hearing Hillsborou h 732-8181 g Hearing Pg 96 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Minute of September 4, 2002 Planning Durham 688-7331 Board Meeting Pg 102 Mebane 336-227-2031 Map of Existing Telco Towers P 114 PURPOSE: To close the Public Hearing and to make a decision regarding the proposed Telecommunication Tower (Telco) Amendments. BACKGROUND: On March 6, 2002, the Board of County Commissioners approved asix- month moratorium on the processing of Special Use Permits relating to Telecommunication Towers. The purpose of the moratorium was to allow Staff sufficient time to gather information, work closely with the County Attorney's Office, prepare amendments and to make a presentation at the August 26, 2002 Quarterly Public Hearing pertaining to updating/revising the existing regulations. As the industry has been rapidly changing, so has the need to keep up to date. The Planning Staff met twice with all interested County Departments to discuss areas of common interest. EMS and IT, as well as other functions, have a stake in the telecommunications amendments. Staff held an informational meeting with telecommunication industry representatives on July 31, 2002 to receive their comments and concerns on the proposals. Seven people attended the meeting. Primary concerns were limiting application review to once per year, clarification of the `existing structures' definition, drop in tower height, required inspections and fees. On August 12, 2002, Staff held a meeting with potential participants in the Master Telecommunication Plan ("Plan") program to gauge interest in the Plan. Six persons attended the meeting. Farmers participating in the Voluntary Agricultural District program were particularly interested in additional revenue sources to help offset rising farming expenses and to promote sustainability. According to those farmers present, the additional income from land leases to telecommunication providers could be the difference in continuing to farm versus having to sell off parts of the farm to pay for rising costs and operating expenses.