The Orange County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday to discuss issues related to the Hillsborough Economic Development District and affordable housing.
Perdita Holtz, planning systems coordinator for the Orange County Planning Department, spoke about amendments proposed to the Unified Development Ordinance as well as to the Zoning Atlas, both of which concern the Hillsborough economic development district. The amendments were previously discussed at the Sept. 12 quarterly public hearing and changes were made to the amendments in response to public comment.
Since the quarterly public hearing, revisions were made to the amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance allowing drive-thrus in each Hillsborough zoning district and the removal of 28 manufacturing uses that are listed in the North American Industry Classification System Code, but aren't allowed to be used in the economic development district.
A motion was approved to continue the public hearing for both amendments at the Dec. 5 meeting.
“I feel like we haven’t advanced very far since the last time we considered it,” Commissioner Barry Jacobs said.
Affordable Housing Units
Travis Myren, deputy county manager, spoke on the income targets and proposed scoring criteria for affordable housing projects.
Jacobs suggested that these housing units only be open to existing Orange County residents as to benefit those working and living in the county. John Roberts, county attorney, said this was a privileges and immunity issue and legally the county could not do this.
“We cannot pick and choose where these people come from,” Roberts said.
