Watchdogs emphasize sustainability, economic development in long-term plan
By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
The Board of County Commissioners on Monday took their first official look at a draft of the county comprehensive plan update, which will guide Orange County through 2030.
The commissioners heard public input on the plan update – which includes goals and a draft of the county profile – and returned the plan to the planning board for further revision. The comprehensive plan has not been updated since 1981.
In fall 2006, the commissioners approved the process for the plan update, which will occur in two phases. County boards are working on Phase I, focusing on the development of the plan goals and the county profile, which will provide statistical information about the county.
According to planning staff, the plan will guide future legal and policy decisions, as well as growth and development within the unincorporated areas of the county. In addition, the plan will serve as the statutory basis for the county’s land-use regulations and zoning districts.
Commissioners emphasized the need for clear, consistent language throughout the plan update, but commended the comprehensive-plan staff for their work thus far.
“This is really an impressive plan of work and effort,†Commissioner Barry Jacobs said.
Several residents expressed concern about sustainability within the county and stressed the importance of sustainable elements in the plan.
Carrboro resident Marty Mandell said that while the plan already includes goals focused on sustainability, it should define “just what sustainability means.â€
“Sustainability should be the main goal for the new comprehensive plan,†she added.
“More and more people are realizing that sustainability is at the heart of survival.
“In order to protect the basic needs of human beings, we have to understand the balances of our world. What we do affects each other.â€
James Carnahan, a resident of Carrboro and a member of the board of the Village Project — a group that advocates for ecologically sound and equitable development practices — said the goals should be reflected in all elements of the plan, with a focus on sustainability as the county grows and changes.
The plan covers eight main elements, including county profile, economic development, housing, land use, natural and cultural systems, recreation and parks, services and community facilities and transportation.
“It’s really important, I think, to talk about the outcomes of growth and development,†Carnahan said. “I think it’s important that the language reflect that.â€
Ben Lloyd, a resident of the Efland area and a former county commissioner, said that while the county had created several economic development plans over the years, little development has occurred in certain areas.
Economic development would create new jobs and a larger tax base, he added, saying that Orange County has increased property taxes for the past 19 years in a row, with a 524 percent increase over the past 24 years.
“That’s all we can stand, folks,†Lloyd told the board. “What do you intend to do about it?â€
While several county boards and organizations are participating in the plan update process, other local organizations have vowed to keep a close watch on the plan as the update is completed.
The Comprehensive Plan Coalition was formed by a group of local organizations. According to the coalition, the groups will meet to discuss the differing interests of the groups and develop common goals.
Represented organizations include the Community Action Network, the Village Project, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, the Homebuilders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham counties and Walkable Hillsborough.
The planning board will revise the plan and return it to the board of commissioners for review on September 19. Phase II of the comprehensive plan update will begin in October and focus on the plan’s elements, other than the county profile, as well as the plan’s objectives.
According to county staff, the plan update will be completed by August 2008.