County Government to Consider Changes to the Plan-
Public Hearing Oct 2, 2008

Orange County has been growing at roughly 4% per year since the year 2000, a rate of growth that would double our population in the next 17 years. On October 2nd, the Planning Commission will consider whether or not to put the word "Rural" back in the Comprehensive Plan--a guidance document that outlines the County's vision for the next twenty years and the basis for most land use decisions (rezonings, special use permits, etc.)

Proposed Changes to the Comprehensive Plan
With guidance from the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission has reviewed the plan and suggested two main changes:

1. Putting the word "rural" back into the Vision Statement.
2. Setting 1% as the targeted maximum rate of population growth.

Future Land Use Map Should Reflect the Plan
PEC supports these proposed changes and we recommend that the Planning Commission include one additional change --a review and revision of the Future Land Use Map to ensure it is in line with the Comprehensive Plan and the suggested growth rates being discussed.

The current Future Land Use Map fails to recognize thousands of lots now available for development. The map also includes vast areas of agricultural land to be converted to Mixed Use which allows for a significant amount of residential development. The areas set aside for economic development are excessive and often in the wrong location. For example, the majority of land slated for economic development is directly adjacent to Wilderness Battlefield, and should, at a minimum, be reduced in size and moved to a less sensitive part of the growth area.

Orange Land Use Map

View the map of agricultural lands slated for development in Northeast Orange County.

Attend the Hearing, Be Part of the Plan
Show your support for the proposed changes by attending the hearing and urge the Planning Commission to revise the Future Land Use Map. These changes are critical to ensuring Orange effectively directs growth to the appropriate locations.

Planning Commission Public Hearing
Thursday, October 2, 2008
7:15pm
Gordon Building, 112 W. Main Street, Orange VA
Directions to the Meeting