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WHEREAS, this airport is unnecessary considering the proximity of Raleigh/Durham <br /> International Airport; <br /> WHEREAS, land would be taken from private property owners in order to build the airport; and <br /> WHEREAS, private property should be taken by the government in eminent domain <br /> proceedings only for public needs, not for the desires of private interests; <br /> RESOLVED, the Orange County Republican Party opposes the construction of such an <br /> airport; and <br /> RESOLVED, the Orange County Republican Party calls upon the County Commissioners and <br /> the North Carolina Legislature to end the plans for such an airport. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that the Orange County Commissioners did not propose <br /> this airport—the University of North Carolina did. The Orange County Commissioners also do <br /> not support it. The University has now withdrawn the proposal. There are plans to work on the <br /> airport zoning regulations so that there will be stricter regulations the next time any such thing <br /> occurs. <br /> P. H. Craig is a lifelong resident of Orange County and an appraiser of commercial <br /> and residential properties. He made reference to his handout, which he gave to the Clerk. <br /> "This Monday morning several hundred of us listened to a presentation from two <br /> mortgage bankers, an area appraiser, and the Executive Director of Homebuilders. Their <br /> presentation had nothing whatever to do with tax valuations. They were simply giving us <br /> statistics, charts and graphs, analyses and forecasts and comparing the last four years of <br /> trends and other factors that affect value of property in the Triangle and Orange County. <br /> Here are some of the revealing facts from the Birch Appraisal Group. Every single <br /> indicator was down. I don't recall a bright spot that was even discussed in the two hours or so. <br /> -Consumer confidence is down, for February and still in freefall, dropping 35 percent in <br /> the last six months. <br /> -Employed workforce is down in North Carolina —4.85% <br /> -Triangle Multiple Listing service closings are down 28% in the last two years <br /> -4th quarter houses listed has increased over two years by 100 houses — up 22% <br /> -4th quarter houses sold and closed — decreased over two years by 125 houses — down <br /> 42% <br /> -Orange monthly closings have gone down 50% from June 08 to December 08. <br /> -Monthly closings in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro school district down 72% from June 08 to <br /> December 08 <br /> -Orange County showings 4th quarter down 31% from 2007-2008 <br /> -Orange County 4th quarter pending down 42% from 2006-2008 <br /> -Orange County price drop on listings from 06-08 increased 100% from 154 to 294 — <br /> an increase of 91% in listing prices being dropped <br /> -Orange County current supply of houses listed are a 20-month supply, a 46% increase <br /> in one year <br /> -Orange County average days on market for listings increased 19% from 07-08 <br /> The news from the mortgage professionals reflected nearly the same except the <br /> outlook for first-time buyers may improve because of tax credits. But as of January 1st, they <br />