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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:
Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee – works to maintain the intent of the Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Residents' Bills of Rights and promote community involvement and cooperation with these homes to ensure quality care for older and disabled adults. This committee typically meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 5 pm. There is an initial training period prior to appointment by the Board of County Commissioners. There are currently 5 vacancies.
Advisory Board on Aging – charged with promoting needed services, programs, and funding that impact older adults in Orange County, and makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners and the Department on Aging. This board typically meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 1 pm. There are currently 2 at-large vacancies.
Agricultural Preservation Board –charged with promoting the economic and cultural importance of agriculture in the county and encouraging voluntary preservation and protection of farmland for future production. This board typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. There is currently 1 at-large vacancy
Animal Services Advisory Board – charged with advising the Board of County Commissioners on matters of concern regarding animal issues and animal services in Orange County. The ASAB 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 ASAB typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. There is currently 1 vacancy for a resident of the Town of Hillsborough and 1 vacancy for a resident whose experience demonstrates a commitment to education around animal issues, legislative advocacy, and/or animal welfare.
Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool – charged 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 2 seats for residents living in the Town of Carrboro, 1 seat for a resident living in the Town of Chapel Hill, 1 seat for a resident living in the Town of Hillsborough, 2 at-large seats, 1 at-large seat for a resident of an unincorporated area of the county, and 1 seat for a representative from the Public Health Field.
Board of Equalization and Review – hears appeals from residents concerning various property tax issues, including valuation and exemption appeals. The BOEAR 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 3 days per week, for approximately 3 to 4 hours per meeting, for up to 3 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 alternate members, who will participate in hearings when the regular board members are unavailable.
Chapel Hill Board of Adjustment – 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 1 vacancy for a resident of the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) or Joint Planning Area (JPA) to serve as alternate, and 1 vacancy for a resident of the ETJ or JPA. Please review the map to see the boundaries of the Chapel Hill ETJ and JPA areas. You may also confirm the zoning information of your address.
Commission for the Environment – advises the Board of Commissioners on matters affecting the environment with particular emphasis on protection. It educates public and local officials on environmental issues and performs special studies and projects. It also recommends environmental initiatives and studies changes in environmental science and local and federal regulations. The Commission for the Environment typically meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7 pm. There are currently 2 at-large vacancies.
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 pm. There is currently 1 vacancy for an applicant residing in the Hillsborough Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Please review the map to see the boundaries of the Hillsborough ETJ. You may also confirm the zoning information of your address.
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 pm. There are currently 2 at-large vacancies.
Orange County Board of Adjustment – The Board of Adjustment shall have the following powers and duties:
- Hear, review, and decide appeals from and review any order requirement, decision, determination made by the Zoning Officer in the performance of official duties.
- Hear and decide applications for the approval of those Special Uses requiring Board of Adjustment approval, in accordance with the rules and conditions laid down in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
- Hear and decide appeals for variances from the dimensional regulations of the UDO.
- Decide or determine other matters as may be required by the UDO or state law.
This board typically meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 pm. There is currently 1 at-large vacancy for an alternate member.
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council – This 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 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. There is currently 1 vacancy for an applicant residing in Little River Township, 1 vacancy for an applicant residing in Hillsborough Township, and 1 applicant for a resident living in the Town of Carrboro. Please review the Township map. You may also confirm the zoning information of your address. There are also 2 vacancies for non-voting youth delegates. Orange County residents ages 13-17 are encouraged to apply.
Orange County Planning Board – As authorized in Chapter 160D-301 of the General Statutes of North Carolina and adopted in Section 1.6.3 of the Unified Development Ordinance, the Orange County Planning Board shall have the following powers and duties:
- Prepare, review, maintain, monitor, and periodically update and recommend to the Board of County Commissioners a Comprehensive Plan, and other such plans as deemed appropriate, and conduct ongoing related research, data collection, mapping, and analysis.
- Develop and recommend policies, ordinances, development regulations, administrative procedures and other means for carrying out plans in a coordinated and efficient manner.
- Advise the Board of County Commissioners concerning the implementation of plans, including, but not limited to, review and comment on all zoning text and map amendments as required by NCGS 160D-604.
- Exercise such functions in the administration and enforcement of various means for carrying out plans that the Board of Commissioners may direct.
- Perform other related duties that the Board of County Commissioners may direct.
This board typically meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7 pm. Applicants are needed for 1 Little River Township position. Please review the map to see Township boundaries.
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 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. There is currently 1 at-large vacancy.
If interested in any of the above positions, please 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 local decisions, policies, and priorities.
For additional information contact Tara May at 919-245-2125 or tmay@orangecountync.gov
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