TITLE
Vote on a request by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners to consider adoption of the Chatham County Comprehensive Plan.
ABSTRACT
Action Requested:
Vote on a request by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners to consider adoption of the Chatham County Comprehensive Plan.
Introduction & Background:
In the fall of 2015, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners appointed a steering committee to oversee the development of a comprehensive plan for Chatham County. The steering committee and planning department staff have been working with Land Design; a consultant hired through an RFP process, to develop the plan. After much public involvement and refinement, the final draft of the Chatham County Comprehensive Plan was completed. The steering committee reviewed the final draft and it was released for public comment online from July 17th to August 28th 2017. The public hearing was held on August 21st 2017 Board of Commissioners meeting where the Board of Commissioners referred the Comprehensive Plan to the Planning Board for review.
Discussion & Analysis:
To view the final draft that was reviewed and public comments received visit www.chathamnc.org/comprehensiveplan <http://www.chathamnc.org/comprehensiveplan> and click on ‘View the Draft Plan’.
Approximately 30 comments were received; overall there was general support for the plan. Comments and concerns were regarding the following: continued increase and careful consideration to tax base revenues/job growth in the county, concern about conflict and traffic of residential and commercial centers and the traffic, concern about affordable housing, comments for consideration to the health obesity section. Also specific locational community needs/amenities were requested, consideration to landscaping improvements/requirements, environment and climate change readiness were also noted. Public hearing comments included that there was insufficient representation on the steering committee from the western portion of the county; that the conservation area should be extended to Terrells Creek; concerns about the community center commercial node at the intersection of Polk’s Landing Road and 15-501; and the link between the plan and climate impacts could be strengthened.
The Planning Board discussed the Comprehensive Plan at their September 5th 2017 and October 3rd 2017 regular meetings and concluded review at a special meeting on October 17th 2017. A subcommittee was formed to review the Big Woods Conservation Design Guide on October 30th 2017 and revisions were also recommended. The Climate Change Committee also provided additional and they were posted on the comprehensive plan website. The Planning Board considered the Climate Change Committee’s comments and recommended additional revisions that have been incorporated into the proposed final plan document that is included as an attachment. Public input both from the public hearing comment period as well as those heard before the Planning Board at their scheduled meetings were considered by the Planning Board in the making of their recommendations.
The second attachment is a list describing the recommendations that have been accepted and given to the consultant for revision as minor adjustments. This includes typos, reformatting, clarifications, revisions to wording, as well as additions to sub goals, action items, and strategies etc. These minor adjustments are also reflected in the second attachment; the proposed final document. The third attachment is a list of recommended changes that require decision from the County Board of Commissioners before consideration of adoption of the proposed plan.
The Planning Board Chair and Planning staff will be available for any questions.
Recommendation:
Receive Planning Board recommended minor adjustments, make decisions regarding recommended changes from the Planning Board, and consider the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan with or without changes.