Stop Proposed Subdivision
ON MORROW MILL ROAD / GOLD MINE LOOP
Embedded Files
In April 2024, a developer held a Neighborhood Information Meeting about proposed rezoning of 90 acres on Morrow Mill and Gold Mine Loop.
In April 2024, a developer held a Neighborhood Information Meeting about proposed rezoning of 90 acres on Morrow Mill and Gold Mine Loop.
At that meeting and in the time since, a lot of questions and concerns have come up. Here's what the neighbors learned.
In the Neighborhood Information Meeting (NIM), the developers, Four Hands Collective (H4D), made a presentation about the application they've submitted to the county to turn the parcel in question into a mixed-use subdivision. If approved, it would be the largest subdivision in the entire county.
They describe this proposed development as an "intentional community" for older adults, but were clear that it is not age-restricted.
The developer said it is not "cohousing", "continuing care", or any other legally defined venture of that sort, and there are no plans to regulate who can or cannot purchase homes there.
Despite painting a utopian picture of communal living, this proposal is functionally the same as any other conventional suburban subdivision.
The parcel is currently zoned Agricultural/Residential (AR) like the land around it. It’s important to understand that this is not simply a proposal to rezone the 90 acre parcel.
The developer has submitted applications to make four changes to Orange County policies, which together would be a significant overhaul of county statutes. They are proposing to:
Amend Orange County’s Future Land Use Map
in order to classify their parcel as a Rural Neighborhood Activity Node
Amend Orange County’s Zoning Atlas map
in order to rezone their parcel from Agricultural Residential to Master Plan Development Conditional District zoning, which applies to mixed-use subdivisions.
Amend Orange County’s Comprehensive Plan
in order to link Master Plan Development Conditional Districts and Rural Neighborhood Activity Nodes
Change Orange County’s Unified Development Ordinance
in order to to allow Master Plan Development Conditional Districts as a land use in Rural Neighborhood Activity Nodes
The requested changes are serious and put the entire county at risk of similar development any time a farm property comes up for sale. The Orange County 2030 Comprehensive Plan recommends against this kind of urban-style high-density development in the Argiculture/Residential zone. At the parcel in question, there is no city water/sewer, bus line, sidewalks, or a grocery or drug store within many miles.
To understand these technical components, check out the "Reference Page".
Check out the "FAQ" page for more about the proposed development.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse