Agenda - 02-10-2009 - 3 - Laserfiche WebLink

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f~ PLANNING PROJECT PF~OPOAL #3 -- November 2~~8 Lead Department: Planning ~ lnspecflons Primary Contacts}: Craig Benedict (2~5-2592) Departmental Interaction: Environmerti & Resource Conservation Department (ERGO} and County Attorney Subject: Upper Erto Cohservatsion Area BacEcgrot~nd The 2088 G+~rnprehensivo Plan Update, as wall as the Eflar-d-Mebane SmaA Area Plart (SAP}, k~as identified the need tc~ exami~~e present watershed classit'ECations, future reservoir sites (if any), and presen+ation a# critical mass envirorirnental areas. This latter subject is further developed in cpnrept by the Lands Legacy Action Plan. issue A '1987 engineering study not+~d the potential of a Seven Mile Creek Reservoir located southeast of Eflar~d and southwest a~ the Town ~of Hillsborough. This was the basis of critical area watershed zoning overlay boundaries adopted in 1994. This designation of zoning overlay ~Upp$r Eno Criticai~ la~vars impervious percentage, restricts certain land uses, anti lowers density ~1 dwelling unit per 2 acres}. These regulatory programs help maintain water quality that flaws into the nearby Eno River Town of Hillst3oraugl~ public wa#er supply iptake at Lake Ben ,lahrisan. Orange Gaunty has purchased environmental lands in the Seven Mile Creek area. Pr4pvsal Qepending sort tine Board of County Cornrnissioner policy malting, the value of holding a. rxitical area designation over the sturdy area of Seven Miie Creels Reservoir area may be Leaning. This is due to supplementary countyv~r~fe water resource planning and sustainabllity efforts. However, retaining a new `consetvatiori area' in a more defined area to protect eni~irar~merrtal resources in this bat#orniand area maybe prudent. Aland use map arraendment with a cvncur~'ertt zoning overlay arnendrrEent would be suggested. . ProCesslTirr~eframe The Planning Department cvuid work v~rith ERCI3, the County Attorney's office, and a small ~+vartcgroup of the Planning Board and Comrrtission for the ~nvironrr~ent (Cfl~) members. This group could develop the proposal and bring recorrtrrienclations to the public in the spring of 209, #ollawed by a }~ul,iic hearing in May 2Q99.