In a step to tie development to school capacity, the Orange County Board of Education passed a memorandum of understanding for the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance.
The board voted 6-1 with member Randy Copeland dissenting. The memorandum is a document of approval for the ordinance, which will be sent to the county commissioners for consideration. The commissioners will vote on the ordinance later this month.
If SAPFO is passed, a developer looking to build a housing tract must apply to the local school district for a certificate of approval. Officials said it is similar to any certificate a developer must get, such as a certificate for adequate water and sewer facilities.
The decision is based solely upon whether the schools can accommodate the increased capacity caused by new homes in the area.
Board member Delores Simpson said SAPFO does limit development but at the same time makes sure there is enough capacity to provide for a good education. "We have to be able to accommodate children who are the products of these developments," she said.
Concerns raised by some members included the methods for calculating capacity and student projections.
Student projections are computed using the student generated rate, which bases student numbers on a standard formula per neighborhood -- .33 students per household.
Board member Dana Thompson said that she is pleased the board passed the memorandum and that it is a good place to open up discussion on development and school capacity.
"The wonderful thing about the issue is that it makes a place for everyone to get together to talk about development and school capacity," she said.
