In the zone

By Hannah Wever
Review Staff Writer

Published: June 26, 2008

The county is one step closer to having a new zoning ordinance on the books after county officials met with a planning consultant last week.
In May, the board of supervisors authorized Orange County Administrator Bill Rolfe to move forward with contract negotiation with Herd Planning & Design. In a June 17 work session, Milt Herd, of Herd Planning & Design, met with county officials to establish the scope of work his firm will provide.
During the meeting, Herd and county officials outlined what role the Orange County Planning Commission and the board of supervisors, and citizens would play in reviewing the old zoning ordinance, and crafting the new one.
The new zoning ordinance will reflect the updated comprehensive plan, and will cover aspects like definitions, code requirements, design criteria, transportation, and environmental considerations.
During the budget process this spring, supervisors approved a line item in the 2008-2009 capital improvements plan to pay for half of the expected $100,000, 12-month zoning ordinance review process.
Last week, Herd recommended county officials begin the zoning ordinance review with the formation of a steering committee to collaborate with his firm.
“They’re kind of miniature planning commission in a way-a planning commission for the planning commission,” Herd said.
District 5 Supervisor Lee Frame said a steering committee comprised of a cross section of the county’s interests would result in wide-ranging outlooks about zoning in years to come.
“If you bring opposite ends of the spectrum into the steering committee, you get the chance to hear the opinions at both ends, and the rationales behind them,” Frame said. “I know they’re never going to agree, but at least we will have heard the results of both.”
Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Johnson said he supported a steering committee, too.
“(Including) stakeholders other than board of supervisors and planning commission members will lead to more dialogue,” Johnson said. But, he cautioned, when supervisors considered which members of the community to tap for steering committee service, “You need a broad group. The last thing you want to do is stack it in one direction or another.”