Agenda - 06-01-1999 - 9b - Laserfiche WebLink

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32 mentioned that there are currently students who have two hour bus rides from the farthest reaches of the northern and western quadrants. The committee looked at GIS maps to look at size of available parcels outside of watersheds and other restricted areas. They used Planning Department information to identify where building permits had been issued. They found that a significant number of the building permits were being issued in the western and northern portion of the County. They looked at sites that would afford optimal opportunity to collocate school and recreational facilities. The property in question is in pristine condition with many hardwoods and even a small creek. These would provide recreational opportunities as well as educational benefits. The biggest limiting factor that the Orange County School Board faces in siting any school is its proximity to water and sewer lines. This site does have a six inch water line adjacent to the property which would need to be upgraded. The owner of the property has been most cooperative. She mentioned that those working on this project agree that there would be severe consequences if this project was thrown off course. She mentioned that one concern in this process is that they were unaware until Friday that the request for the land use change would be denied by the Planning staff. She stated that they had been led to believe that the planning staff would recommend approval. She asked that the Board of Commissioners approve this request. Ray DeBruhl, the facilities consultant to the Board of Education, stated that he was responsible for assisting the board in managing to deliver an elementary school by August, 2000. He mentioned that the owner of the property, Michael Edwards, owns a jewelry store in Cary. Prior to developing a school site they look 25 -40 years into the future to try to visualize where schools need to be located. One issue they consider is transportation. He mentioned that Hillsborough's water and sewer plans were also considered. He surmised that the residential growth that is going to occur would be east of Highway 86. This site would greatly reduce the cost of transportation for those students in the northern and western areas of the County. He mentioned that this site is located within the network of roads in such a way as to facilitate the transportation of students. There is a right -of -way of over 100 feet on Highway 57. The Town of Hillsborough has the capacity to serve the school site with water and sewer. Piedmont Electric has agreed to serve this site with natural gas if that is required. The geotechnical study has been completed and this site is excellent in terms of its technical characteristics. There are no wetlands or environmental issues which would be impacted by the schools. There is excellent site drainage. The property represents an excellent opportunity for a public - private partnership. Mr. Edwards, representing the Apex Northwest Partnership, has agreed to donate a site for the school and to pay 50°x6 of the road construction cost from Highway 57 to the school. They have also agreed to pay 50% of the water and sewer costs when they actually access the water and sewer. They have also agreed to donate the right -of -way for public use of the outer loop through their property. County Manager Link asked if there was a binding agreement to donate 18 acres for a school site or was the donation of the site contingent on the approval of the application. Mr. DeBruhl stated that there is a written agreement for 18 acres for a school site. However, this agreement has not been finalized. Mr. Whitaker stated that it is not contingent upon approval. The School Board has agreed to support and assist them in their effort to have this amendment approved. The school's attorney could more accurately answer questions about the legality of the matter. He stated