Orange County residents voice opinions over proposed development law changes

Members of the rural Orange County community expressed concern about proposed changes to development laws at the Orange County Board of Commissioners’ quarterly public hearing Monday night.

The residents voiced their opinions on the Unified Development Ordinance, a proposed law meant to consolidate county ordinances.

“We support the county’s goal to simplify the county’s zoning ordinances,” said Bonnie Hauser, president of Orange County Voice, which advocates for rural communities.

“But we are worried that a shift in board composition could lead to the approval of projects that would lead to random sprawl.”

The proposed ordinance gives more flexibility to developers and could allow them to build a wider variety of buildings.

The ordinance would change districts previously designated as “planned development” into “conditional zoning” or “conditional use” districts.

Members of the Orange County Planning Board pointed out to concerned residents that conditional use districts have specific guidelines.

The guidelines limit developers to 71 of the 111 county-approved uses for the newly designated land. Forty of the uses must be specifically approved by the commissioners.

Some of the land uses not allowed include hospitals, junk yards and funeral homes.

The crowded meeting featured many residents who voiced their opposition to certain clauses of the proposed ordinance.

Kimberly Foushee, director of operations for the Orange County Speedway, advocated for the speedway and the business that it brings to the county.

Since it was reopened in 2006, 196,000 people have come to the speedway, she said. This number would have been greater were it not for the poor state of the economy.

Foushee said she was concerned about the adverse effects the ordinance will have on the speedway in the future, including the construction of a horse showing area that might not adhere to the new ordinance.

Chairwoman Bernadette Pelissier suggested the county create a question and answer document and make it available online for the public.

“This document would answer many of the common questions expressed by those assembled at the hearing,” Pelissier said.

Commissioners will discuss the subject again at an April 5 meeting.

“I would like to see us move forward with it,” commissioner Earl McKee said. “I would like us to accept that we cannot address the concerns of every citizen.”

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