11/12/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

New Policy 1.35 (Minor Node Boundary Adjustment) While preparing the Comprehensive Plan, the County- analyzed each commercial/industrial node and its general market area; the county then established each node's size based upon the amount of existing development and potential growth in the market area projected through the year 2010. However,' this node acreage determination was general, and staff did not have adequate time to examine each node in sufficient detail. Consequently, there are instances in which it is not clear exactly which parcels are included in a node; in other cases, the node boundary splits small properties. At present, the County plan has no policy addressing node boundary adjustment. When the County encounters one of these minor problems, there is no. established mechanism, other than through the comprehensive plan amendment process, to provide for a node boundary adjustment. New Policy 1.36 (Agricultural/Residential Buffers During the recent plan amendment process when the county adopted alternative "A" to the county/DCA stipulated settlement agreement, the staff had extensive consultations with DCA. At that time, DCA made the point that the County's plan had inadequate policies to .buffer proposed residential development in agricultural areas from active agricultural operations. While staff noted that the county's adopted land development regulations do contain buffering and separation requirements applicable to new residential developments proposed adjacent to active agricultural operations, DCA correctly stated that such regulation should be based on a comparable comprehensive plan policy. Therefore, DCA strongly recommended that the county include such a buffering policy in its next set of plan amendments. Sanitary Sewer and Potable Water Sub -Elements Besides the Future Land Use Element amendments, the county is also proposing plan amendments. to the water and sewer connection matrix and policies 5.9 and 6.1 of the Sanitary Sewer and Potable Water Sub -Elements. Water and Sewer Connection Matrix -- Table 3.A.16 of the Sanitary Sub -Element and table 3.B.19 of the Potable Water Sub -Element constitute the water and sewer connection matrix. Since adoption of the plan, the County staff, Professional Services Advisory Committee and applicants have identified some shortcomings with this matrix. Because the water and sewer connection matrix applies to all development within the unincorporated portion of the County, the matrix has a major effect on land development. As structured, the matrix contains different criteria for residential developments versus non-residential developments and considers the density and intensity of developments. The water and sewer connection matrix's purpose is to serve.as a growth management tool and guide growth and development in the County; to discourage urban sprawl and encourage infill development by limiting developments where centralized water and sewer are not ,.available; and to encourage the expansion of centralized utility ;_services by requiring connection to a centralized water and sewer system. 13 WGIV 12 1991 BOOK 84A FA. t 14e-3