A continuous theme in the Orange County Comprehensive plan is to encourage the connectivity of road, trail, and transit systems. Additionally, the Recreational Element states (p. R-5), “Orange County shall continue to pursue the acquisition of abandoned railroad rights-of way for use as recreational and wildlife corridors” and, “Orange County's priority for acquisition of future public activity-based recreation sites shall be in areas identified in the Parks and Recreation and Trails Master Plan (Orange
County Parks and Recreaction Department, 2020).” Orange County Corridor Management Regulations
Sec. 38-1349 of County land development guidelines and review procedures establish that all streets must meet minimum county standards. In addition, “(1)Local streets shall be designed and located so that future urban development will not necessitate the conversion of such streets to arterial routes. Arterial and major collector streets shall not be impacted by backing movement from adjoining parking areas. Provisions shall be made for the continuation of all arterial streets and highways, where applicable.” Sec. 21-7. Of Chapter 21, Article 1 further regulates unopened unimproved rights-of-way to ensure that these rights-of way are improved to county standards and paved prior to development of any parcel that accesses them. There are two funding sources for right-of-way acquisition mentioned in the Orange County Land Development Code. The first is the transportation impact fee found in Chapter 23. ARTICLE IV of the county code. The county maintains a clear list of fee rates by land use type and geographical location. The second funding source is a gas tax. Sec. 21-1. of the Land Development Code states that the annual revenue from a six-cent tax per gallon of motor and diesel fuel sold in Orange County is earmarked for right-of-way activities and construction expenditures. Additionally, Sec. 30-622 of the Land Development Code includes a roadway network agreement (called a “Transportation Road Network Agreement” in the Comprehensive Plan) and a proportionate fair-share program which allows property owners to earn road impact fee credits by making improvements to clogged roads or dedicating right-of-way to expand the road network. A Road Agreement Committee (RAC) reviews agreements related to roads and transportation impact fee credits, covered in Sec. 23-95
of the Land Development Code. The RAC is composed of the following members: • Director Planning, Environmental and Development Services Division (Chair) • Public Works Deputy Director and County Engineer (Vice-Chair)
• Manager Transportation Planning Division • Manager Public Works Engineering Division • Manager Traffic Engineering Division • Planning Administrator, Planning Division • Manager Real Estate Management Determination of Alignment
The County regulates setbacks from thoroughfares based on their functional classification. The distance is measured by a straight line extending perpendicular from the centerline of the major street as depicted in Table 12. Stated purposes and intent for these setbacks are not to preserve right-of-way, but rather to achieve uniform major street setback distances and address public concerns, such as: adequate space for light, air, protection from disasters, access for fire-fighting apparatus or rescue and salvage operations, separation from and space for vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic, noise, congestion, pollution emanating from vehicles, intensified use of land, and the public health, safety, and welfare.
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