Orange County has proposed charter amendments 9 and 10, which will be present on the election ballot on November 5. If passed, the amendments will change rural boundaries and how the county handles voluntary municipal annexations and land use in rural areas.
Orange County Charter Amendment 9: Establishment of the Orange County Rural Area
Amendment 9 proposes the establishment of the rural boundary and rural area which would include unincorporated lands located outside of the county’s urban service area, municipal joint planning areas, growth centers, Innovation Way overlay and Horizon West Villages and Boggy Creek expansion areas. If passed, this amendment would require a majority-plus-one County Commission vote to amend the comprehensive plan allowing for increased density and intensity, and ordinances removing land from the rural area. This amendment also would impact municipalities, as Orange County will have the authority to govern land development within the rural area even if land has been annexed into a municipality.
Orange County Charter Amendment 9: Establishment of the Orange County Rural Area
Amendment 9 proposes the establishment of the rural boundary and rural area which would include unincorporated lands located outside of the county’s urban service area, municipal joint planning areas, growth centers, Innovation Way overlay and Horizon West Villages and Boggy Creek expansion areas. If passed, this amendment would require a majority-plus-one County Commission vote to amend the comprehensive plan allowing for increased density and intensity, and ordinances removing land from the rural area. This amendment also would impact municipalities, as Orange County will have the authority to govern land development within the rural area even if land has been annexed into a municipality.
Orange County Charter Amendment 10: Voluntary Municipal Annexations and Land Use in Rural Areas
Charter Amendment 10 would change the voluntary annexation of rural lands into nearby municipalities.
If passed, the new annexation process would require a majority-plus-one County Commission vote to approve or deny voluntary annexations, both inside and outside of the rural boundary established by Orange County. Additionally, lands that are within the rural boundary will still be governed by Orange County regulations. Municipalities that are engaged in a joint planning agreement with the county are exempt from the new process.
The annexing municipality shall provide notice to Orange County 10 days prior to its first scheduled public hearing. The Board of County Commissioners would hear the annexation request following the first public hearing by the municipality. The annexing municipality would enter an interlocal agreement with the county detailing the provision of essential public services, infrastructure maintenance and future land use.
Charter Amendment 10 would change the voluntary annexation of rural lands into nearby municipalities.
If passed, the new annexation process would require a majority-plus-one County Commission vote to approve or deny voluntary annexations, both inside and outside of the rural boundary established by Orange County. Additionally, lands that are within the rural boundary will still be governed by Orange County regulations. Municipalities that are engaged in a joint planning agreement with the county are exempt from the new process.
The annexing municipality shall provide notice to Orange County 10 days prior to its first scheduled public hearing. The Board of County Commissioners would hear the annexation request following the first public hearing by the municipality. The annexing municipality would enter an interlocal agreement with the county detailing the provision of essential public services, infrastructure maintenance and future land use.