Title
Request to Set Legislative Public Hearing on Land Use Ordinance Text Amendments Relating to Advisory Board and Commission Consolidation and Attendance
PURPOSE: To request the Town Council set a public hearing to consider amendments to the Land Use Ordinance to consolidate certain advisory boards and commissions and to revise language associated with attendance policies and procedures. A resolution setting a public hearing for October 15, 2024, has been provided.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Christina Moon, Planning & Transportation Administrator, 919-918-7325, cmoon@carrboronc.gov; Patricia McGuire, Planning Director, 919-918-7327, pmcguire@carrboronc.gov; Bear Tose, Planner, 919-918-7344, btose@carrboronc.gov; Duncan Dodson, Planner, 919-918-7340, ddodson@carrboronc.gov
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity ____ Climate ____ Comprehensive Plan ____Other
Council Direction Statement
Advisory boards and commissions are regulated by provisions of the Town Code, Chapter 3 and 15, the Land Use Ordinance. Setting a public hearing for a text amendment to the Land Use Ordinance is a required step in accordance with North Carolina state statutes and Town regulations.
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Information
INFORMATION: [
The Town Council has reviewed two topics in parallel - advisory board and commission attendance policy, and consolidation and reorganization. The proposed text amendment addresses attendance requirements and clarifies the role of the Town Clerk in removing members when attendance requirements are not met. It also proposes consolidating the following boards:
• Planning Board and Appearance Commission
• Climate Action Team and Environmental Advisory Board
• Transportation Advisory Board and Greenways Commission
Following a work session item in March 2023 regarding advisory boards and commissions, various items have undergone consideration or review by the Town Council. Key dates are outlined below:
• March 14, 2023 - Town Council Work Session (Agenda <https://carrboro.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1083198&GUID=56800928-7272-4D0C-B682-8DDEA25B73F5>)
Town Council discussed a variety of considerations for advisory boards and commissions and directed staff to review other jurisdictions’ policies, procedures, and organization of boards.
• April 25, 2023 - Town Council Meeting (Agenda <https://carrboro.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1088365&GUID=517CA0BA-4D88-4AB8-A975-75CEF43A7747>)
Town Council set a public hearing for May 23, 2023, to consider the amendments to the Land Use Ordinance associated with advisory board and commission attendance.
• May 23, 2023 - Town Council Meeting (Agenda <https://carrboro.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1088373&GUID=64B42A7D-0932-4141-8174-42CB702EC7DC>)
Town Council held a public hearing on Land Use Ordinance Text Amendments related to attendance for boards and commissions and considered parallel changes to the Town Code. Further revisions were referred to staff. No action was taken.
• February 13, 2024 - Town Council Work Session (Agenda <https://carrboro.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1152755&GUID=2594E86C-0B6C-41B4-8513-DCBA753B76D1>)
The Town Council discussed an overview of the demographic composition of the existing advisory boards and commission, as well as staff considerations for restructuring and overall consolidation.
• May 21, 2024 - Town Council Meeting (Agenda <https://carrboro.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1157053&GUID=9F8B07FC-7E26-45F1-B4BE-EC964D95614B>)
• Town Council set a public hearing for October 11, 2024, to consider the amendments to the Land Use Ordinance associated with advisory board and commission attendance.
• June 18, 2024 - Town Council Meeting (Agenda <https://carrboro.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1157057&GUID=C4AEC761-C4F6-4868-ABD3-6A7E76D0EBCC>)
Town Council approved consolidation and adoption of charges for the Recreation & Parks Commission (merged with Arts Committee) and the Racial Equity Commission (merged with Truth Plaque Task Force).
A resolution setting a public hearing for September 12th and referring the draft ordinance for advisory board and Orange County review is provided as Attachment A and refers the Town Code amendment to applicable boards and commission.
It should be noted that the attached resolution also supersedes the May 21st resolution which set a public hearing for October 11th only to address changes relating to attendance.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: There are minimal fiscal impacts associated with setting a public hearing.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Town Council approve the resolution setting a public hearing for October 15, 2024, and referring the draft ordinance to advisory boards and Orange County for review and the Town Code amendment to applicable boards and commissions.
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