After nearly an hour of public comment on Tuesday night, the Orange County Board of Commissioners voted to regulate the size of flags and flag poles on private property.

The text amendment to the county’s Unified Development Ordinance came after a large Confederate flag was hoisted along Highway 70 just outside Hillsborough. The group Alamance County Taking Back Alamance County worked to raise the flag in question and has been rumored to be working on getting other flags raised throughout the county.

Public comment was split among the more than 20 residents who spoke to the commissioners Tuesday night. While the ordinance amendment is content neutral, much of the discussion centered on the Confederate flag and the message the flag sends to residents.

Flags that are out of compliance with the new regulations have one year to come into compliance.

An adjustment was proposed by the county attorney recommending a smaller setback than was initially put before the commissioners.

Under the new regulations, one flag pole will be allowed on property in residential zoning districts with up to three flags; each flag can be a maximum of 24 square feet and the flag pole can be a maximum of 24 feet high. Flag poles must also be set back 20 feet from the property line.

In other zoning districts, up to three flags and three flag poles will be allowed. The flags can be a maximum of 96 square feet; the flag pole can be a maximum of 54 feet high and must be set back 20 feet from the property line.

Commissioner Earl McKee made a motion to defer the decision to a June meeting of the commissioners to allow for additional comment, but that motion died for lack of a second.

The ultimate vote Tuesday night was 6-0. Chair of the commissioners Mark Dorosin was absent from the meeting.

Photo via Alamance County Taking Back Alamance County Facebook Page

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Rejects Appeal Over Large Confederate Flag Along U.S. 70
The Orange County Board of Adjustment rejected an appeal by a Hillsborough resident over a large Confederate flag on his private property on Monday. The board heard the case of Robert Hall Jr., who lives near U.S. Highway 70 and has had a large Confederate flag raised since April 2018. Hall was appealing his flag’s […]
1 Year Later, Orange County Working to Enforce New Flag Ordinance
The public response to a Confederate flag raised last year alongside Route 70 saw residents urge Orange County Commissioners to amend county ordinance regarding flags. The changes were made, including new restrictions on the size of flags allowed based on the zoning of the property where the flag stands. Officials then gave residents one year […]
Orange County Commissioners Weigh Flag Regulations Tuesday
The public has a chance to voice their position to Orange County Commissioners Tuesday night on possibly amending the unified development ordinance in the wake of a Confederate flag being raised on private property along a highway in the county. Commissioners have been considering the ordinance amendment after Alamance County Taking Back Alamance County, which […]
While Commissioners Weigh Regulations, Confederate Flag Raised in Orange County
While Orange County commissioners contemplate placing restrictions on the size of flags in the county, a Confederate battle flag has been hoisted along a major thoroughfare. The flag was raised over the weekend on Highway 70 on the western outskirts of Hillsborough. The group Alamance County Taking Back Alamance County posted photos of the flag […]
Orange County Schools Bans Confederate Flag
After nearly a year of debate and deliberation, the Orange County Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a new dress code that specifically bans students from wearing the Confederate flag, the swastika or other symbols of oppression. Board chairman Stephen Halkiotis said he was moved by the events at a white supremacists rally in Charlottesville, […]
Orange County School Committee Approves Revised Dress Code Aimed at Banning Confederate Flag
A revised dress code policy is set to go back before the Orange County Schools Board of Education. The board’s policy committee unanimously passed a revised dress code policy on Wednesday. The procedural move was necessary to move the policy back before the full school board. Orange County Schools superintendent Dr. Todd Wirt said action […]
Orange County School Board Tentatively Approves New Dress Code Policy After Confederate Flag Debate
At the second meeting, the policy was sent back to committee by a 4-3 vote.**** The Orange County Board of Education took a step toward banning students from wearing the Confederate flag on school grounds at its Monday night meeting. After a brief discussion about the language of the dress code policy, the board […]
Hundreds Gather in Hillsborough to Support Confederate Flag
Several hundred confederate flag supporters gathered in downtown Hillsborough Saturday for a ‘Southern Heritage Ride and Rally.’ It was pitched as an educational event to learn more about the history of the flag and other Confederate memorials. WCHL’s Jess Clark was there, listen below:   Last Thursday, on the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights […]
On the Porch: Dr. Jim Crawford - September News Roundup
This Week: Born into a blue collar and agricultural clan in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Jim Crawford was the first in his family to graduate from college. Earning his PhD from the University of North Carolina, he taught US and World History at several universities in the piedmont North Carolina for several decades. He served as chairman of the Chatham County board of commissioners, and currently serves as trustee for Central Carolina Community College. He is a firm believer in American democracy and trusts that the constitution will hold firm now as it has in past crises despite the broken, distempered electorate.
Orange County: Orange County Roadshow, Joint School Board Meeting, Supporting Arts
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, September 24, discussing county news and events. She talked about the Orange County Roadshow hoping to inform residents of all of the services and opportunities provided by the county. She also previewed an upcoming meeting with the two school boards, and how they hope a format change to that meeting will foster more discussion. She also spoke of the continued importance of supporting the arts, and more.
›