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FiR <br />3. The surrounding areas are not in transition from rural or low - density <br />uses to urban or higher density uses. The adjoining Ten -Year <br />Transition area has been designated since January, 1985, yet no higher <br />density development activity has occurred there. <br />4. The property is located in an area of low population density relative to <br />the overall Hillsborough township population density. <br />5. The property is located next to a National Register - eligible, working <br />farmstead. The cemetery located on or near the property has potential <br />historic significance. <br />Alois Callemyn, agent for the applicant, asked that the Planning Board <br />read the response to the Planning Staff concerns dated March 23, 1999 <br />noting that his firm feels that it very adequately addresses those concerns. <br />He continued that he had also provided a map that indicates the <br />relationship of the cemetery to the school site and to the proposed project <br />site. <br />Callemyn continued, that the applicant is trying, as requested, to separate <br />the school issue from the land issue. Since the deed has been signed and <br />given to the school, the Planning Staff has suggested that moving the <br />school site would facilitate the use of playground between the school <br />and Mars Hill Church. The applicant has agreed and the deed is in <br />escrow in the attorney's office until such time as the school decides <br />whether it wants the site already deeded, or, whether they want to <br />move away from Mars Hill Church leaving a. buffer that could be better <br />used for a playground or recreation. <br />Callemyn stated that there are no holdups as far as NCDOT is concerned <br />in building the road as soon as construction begins on the school. The <br />only reason that the thoroughfare from NC 57 to the school would not be <br />built, is if the school is not built and he has been assured that the school <br />will be built. <br />Callemyn indicated the location of the school, the 100 -foot right -of -way <br />that has already been deeded, and the location of the road on the map. <br />NCDOT plans to build the road from NC 57 at the north side of Mars Hill <br />Church to near the middle of the school. It would eventually amount to <br />about 400 feet of road frontage along the new road. <br />Barrows asked if the development would use the same road as the school <br />and Callemyn indicated it would and that the new bypass would be the <br />true frontage of the development. <br />Allison asked about the location of the Phelps farm and Callemyn <br />indicated the location on the map. While the farm has been on the <br />inventory for a long time, they have not chosen to pursue application for <br />an historic designation. <br />Ted Laws expressed concern that the bypass was the road adjacent to <br />Mars Hill parsonage. Callemyn responded that it was the previous <br />location. Mr. Laws continued that one concern of the church was related <br />to the road adjacent to the parsonage and increased traffic so near the <br />home. Another concern was that the church has slightly over ten acres <br />