Applicants Needed For Orange County 

Volunteer Boards and Commissions 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tara May, Deputy Clerk to the Board (919) 245-2125

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (March 9, 2023) – One of the ways residents can have a positive impact on the future of Orange County is to serve on a volunteer board or commission.
 
The Orange County Board of Commissioners is currently recruiting applicants for the following boards and commissions:

Affordable Housing Advisory Board – The Affordable Housing Advisory Board prioritizes affordable housing needs and assesses project proposals. The board also publicizes the County’s housing objectives, monitors the progress of local housing programs, explores new funding opportunities, and works to increase the community’s awareness of, understanding of, commitment to, and involvement in producing attractive affordable housing. This board typically meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm. There is currently one (1) at-large vacancy.

Animal Services Advisory Board – This board is charged to advise the Board of County Commissioners on matters of concern regarding animal issues and animal services in Orange County. The Animal Services Advisory Board works with the Animal Services Director to ensure quality animal services and maintains contact with the stakeholder groups from which its members are appointed. The board also provides a venue in which stakeholder concerns about animals, animal policies and issues, and animal services programming may be voiced, considered, and referred as appropriate. The Animal Services Advisory Board typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. There is currently one (1) position open for an individual that resides within the Town Limits of Hillsborough, one (1) position for an individual that resides in a non-municipal area of the county, and one (1) at-large vacancy.

Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool – The charge of the Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool is to hear appeals concerning violations of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4 (“Animal Control Ordinance”), as provided in the Orange County Code of Ordinances, Section 4-53 Appeals and also potentially dangerous dog appeals as prescribed by N.C. Gen. Stat. §67-4.1(c).  It is the responsibility of pool members to conduct fair and impartial hearings for these appeals and they will receive training in both law and proper procedure prior to participating in a hearing.  Pool members are sought from the Towns of Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro as well as the part of Orange County that is unincorporated.  Appeals panels will be convened on an as-needed basis for hearings. The Board of County Commissioners is currently recruiting applicants to fill one (1) seat for a resident living in the Town of Carrboro, two (2) seats for a resident living in the Town of Chapel Hill, two (2) at-large seats, two (2) seats for residents living within the unincorporated areas of the county, one (1) seat for a representative of the Public Safety Field, and one (1) seat for a representative of the Public Health Field. 

Arts Commission – The Arts Commission recommends strategies to promote the artistic and cultural growth of Orange County, advises the Board of Commissioners on matters involving the arts, and acts as the granting panel for funding programs available to individual artists and non-profit groups sponsoring art projects in Orange County. This commission typically meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 pm. There will be three (3) at-large vacancies next month, and there is one (1) vacancy for a UNC Student Representative.

Board of Equalization and Review – The Board of Equalization and Review hears appeals from residents concerning various property tax issues, including valuation and exemption appeals. The Board of Equalization and Review is charged with ensuring that all taxable property is appraised and assessed according to the standards required by the North Carolina General Statutes. This board meets up to three days per week, for approximately three to four hours per meeting, for up to three consecutive months (typically April-June). Additional meetings may occur as needed during the year.  Members will be compensated for all meetings attended. Orange County residents with knowledge of real estate are specifically encouraged to apply, however, others will also be given consideration. The Board of County Commissioners is currently recruiting applicants for several alternate positions, who will participate in hearings when regular board members are unavailable.

Board of Health – The Board of Health is the primary policy-making, rule-making, and adjudicatory body for the Health Department and is charged with protecting and promoting the public health of Orange County.  The Board is mandated by state law and is composed of professionals representing specified health-related fields in addition to several at-large members. The Orange County Board of Commissioners is currently accepting applications from Orange County residents who are licensed dentists in order to fill a Dental Representative vacancy on the Board of Health. The Board of Health typically meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm. There are also occasional ad-hoc meetings that average less than two hours per month. An appointment is for three years, and a board member can serve three terms.

Carrboro Board of Adjustment – The Carrboro Board of Adjustment hears and decides citizen appeals from any order, decision, requirement, or interpretation made by the Zoning Administrator.  It also hears and decides on applications. This board typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm. The Board of County Commissioners is currently recruiting applicants that reside in the Carrboro Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Please review the map at the following link to see the boundaries of the Carrboro ETJ: http://orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16597/Chapel-Hill-and-Carrboro-Boundaries-Map. You may also confirm the zoning information of your address by visiting: http://aries.orangecountync.gov/Aries/ZoningInformation.aspx.

Chapel Hill Board of Adjustment – The Town of Chapel Hill’s Board of Adjustment is authorized to hear variance cases regarding the provisions of the Chapel Hill Land Use Management Ordinance and appeal cases regarding decisions made by Town staff. The Chapel Hill Board of Adjustment meets on the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm, at Chapel Hill Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill, in the Council Chamber on the first floor. There is currently one (1) vacancy for a resident of the Chapel Hill Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) and one (1) upcoming vacancy for a resident of the ETJ or Joint Planning Area (JPA). Please review the map at the following link to see the boundaries of the Chapel Hill ETJ and JPA areas: http://orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16597/Chapel-Hill-and-Carrboro-Boundaries-Map.  You may also confirm the zoning information of your address by visiting: http://aries.orangecountync.gov/Aries/ZoningInformation.aspx.  

Chapel Hill Planning Commission – The charge of the Chapel Hill Planning Commission is to assist the council in achieving the town’s comprehensive plan for orderly growth and development by analyzing, evaluating, and recommending responsible town policies, ordinances, and planning standards that manage land use and involving the community in long-range planning. The Chapel Hill Planning Commission meets at 7:00 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month except July, at Chapel Hill Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill, in the Council Chamber on the first floor. There is currently one (1) vacancy for a resident of the Chapel Hill Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Please review the map at the following link to see the boundaries of the Chapel Hill ETJ and JPA areas: http://orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16597/Chapel-Hill-and-Carrboro-Boundaries-Map.  You may also confirm the zoning information of your address by visiting: http://aries.orangecountync.gov/Aries/ZoningInformation.aspx.  

Hillsborough Planning Board – This board acquires and maintains information in order to understand past trends, prepare and amend the comprehensive plan for the development of the area, and prepare and recommend ordinances promoting orderly development. The Hillsborough Planning Board typically meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm. There is currently one (1) open position for an applicant residing in the Hillsborough Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), as well as an upcoming vacancy for an applicant residing in the Hillsborough ETJ. Please review the map at the following link to see the boundaries of the Hillsborough ETJ: http://orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16598/Hillsborough-Boundaries-Map. You may also confirm the zoning information of your address by visiting: http://aries.orangecountync.gov/Aries/ZoningInformation.aspx.

Historic Preservation Commission – This commission is charged with undertaking an inventory of properties of historical, pre-historical, architectural, and/or cultural significance. It recommends areas to be designated or removed as “historic districts” and reviews and acts upon proposals for alterations, demolition, new construction, etc. Applicants must demonstrate special interest, experience or education in history, architecture, landscape architecture, archaeology, or related fields. The Historic Preservation Commission typically meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm. There are currently two (2) upcoming at-large vacancies.

Orange County Board of Adjustment – This board hears and decides on variance applications, appeals submitted related to official decisions/determinations made by the Planning Director, reviews and takes action on Class B Special Use Permit applications, as well as matters required to pass by the Unified Development Ordinance. This board typically meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm. There is currently one (1) at-large vacancy for an alternate member. 

Orange County Housing Authority Board – The goal of the Orange County Housing Authority Board is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for low and moderate-income families in Orange County. Applicants with the following areas of experience and/or interest are encouraged to apply: real estate, development, affordable housing, municipal law, banking, and Housing Choice Voucher program participants. This board typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm. There are currently two (2) vacancies for Housing Choice Voucher Program participants.

Orange County Parks and Recreation Council – The Orange County Parks and Recreation Council consults with and advises the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, and the Board of County Commissioners on matters affecting parks planning, development and operation; recreation facilities, policies and programs; and public trails and open space. The Parks and Recreation Council typically meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. Applicants are needed for one (1) Little River Township seat, one (1) Bingham Township seat, and one (1) at-large seat. Please review the map at the following link to see Township boundaries: http://orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2290/Township-Map-PDF. 

Orange Unified Transportation Board – The Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) advises the Orange County Board of County Commissioners and provides information and comments on major transportation issues. Specifically, the OUTBoard provides the Board of County Commissioners with recommendations regarding the overall planning and programming of transportation improvements in the County, including identification and prioritization of the County's roadway and transit needs along with associated costs and specific sources of funding; provision of recommendations to the Board regarding Federal and State legislation affecting transportation in Orange County; and exploration and suggestion of recommendations on innovative techniques and methods to improve the efficiency and capacity of existing and future transportation systems. The OUTBoard typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. There are currently four (4) at-large vacancies and one (1) vacancy for a resident of Cedar Grove Township.

If interested, apply at www.orangecountync.gov/Apply. 

Orange County strives for diverse representation on volunteer boards and commissions. Residents of all demographic backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are encouraged to apply. Applicants must reside in Orange County. Volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have the opportunity to directly influence the County’s decisions, policies, and priorities.

For additional information contact Tara May at 919-245-2125 or tmay@orangecountync.gov.

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