Orange County NC Website
3 <br /> Wetlands are further defined in Article 22 of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance as, <br /> "Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency <br /> and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a <br /> prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands <br /> generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas." <br /> Floodplain —as defined in the Orange County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, "Any <br /> land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source." Floodplains in <br /> Orange County are delineated on an official map of Orange County, issued by the FEMA, <br /> on which FEMA has delineated the Special Flood Hazard Areas and the floodways. This <br /> official map is a supplement to and shall be used in conjunction with the Flood Insurance <br /> Rate Map, effective February 2, 2007, and as amended from time to time by Letters of <br /> Map Amendment and Letters of Map Revision. <br /> Ed Shuffler said that this means that 25 acres are needed for the sites that are <br /> unencumbered by these types of criteria. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she noticed in Attachment 2-a that the following was <br /> added: "Results from any required environmental assessment or environmental impact <br /> statement; and/or results from any site analysis conducted by a registered engineer, land <br /> surveyor, landscape architect, architect or land planner using data from the U. S. Army Corps of <br /> Engineers." She asked why this was added. Ed Shuffler said that as development continues, <br /> people have sites reviewed and there are delineations, so the existing data would be used. <br /> Commissioner Gordon suggested that the language be changed to say, "results from any <br /> site analysis recognized by Orange County....". <br /> Chair Jacobs asked Craig Benedict if he was involved in the definition and Craig Benedict <br /> said yes and that any analysis that is done is funneled to the partners in the Army Corps of <br /> Engineers and other entities, and if it is a credible report, then it is added to Orange County <br /> maps. There is a protocol for this process. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she would be satisfied to add to these criteria "results <br /> recognized by the Orange County Planning Department." <br /> Ed Shuffler said that he would change this. <br /> 51 Sites with Areas Having Steep Topographic Slopes (>15%) <br /> Definition: Areas having steep topographic slopes (>15%). At least 25 acres of the site <br /> must be unencumbered with respect to these criteria. <br /> Sites with Endangered and Protected Flora and Fauna Habitats (Figure 6) <br /> Definition: Natural, Areas and Wildlife Habitats [PKA Endangered and Protected Flora <br /> and Fauna Habitants] —as defined in the Open Space Standards of the Orange County <br /> Subdivision Regulations (Section IV-C.3b.) in the following manner: [Those areas] "identified as <br /> part of: <br /> - The "Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats of Orange County," as <br /> prepared by the Triangle Land Conservancy in coordination with the NC Natural <br /> Heritage Program (see LUE Map page 2.2.36 and Table 2-2.38-40) [1988]; <br /> The habitats are rated by significance integrity and threat <br /> These areas are lands designated as....containing sensitive environmental <br /> resources...(part of LUE RPA definitions page 3.3.3). <br /> fl Sites with Protected Sites of Historical, Archaeological, or Cultural Significance <br /> (Figure 7) <br />