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ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION <br />With reference to "Equitable treatment of property owners in <br />situations where land value may increase or decrease exclusively because <br />of governmental action," Commissioner Gordon made several points. She <br />noted that there has been some discussion at higher levels of government <br />to require counties to compensate landowners when the County down zones <br />property to protect the environment or for other reasons. A related issue <br />is that property values usually increase when the County up zones. <br />Perhaps the County could work out a system such that when the County up <br />zones, some of the profit (the "planning gain") could be given to the <br />people where there is down zoning. She believes this general topic of <br />utilizing the "planning gain" from up zoning should be given further <br />study. <br />Commissioner Crowther stated that he would like to see some new <br />initiatives behind Economic Development with emphasis on recruiting <br />developers. Also, arts in the County should be considered an economic <br />impact. He asked that there be a division in the Planning Department for <br />resource conservation. This will give this area a higher profile. <br />Planning Director Marvin Collins said that they have looked at this <br />possibility and will look at it again. One reason they are giving it more <br />emphasis is because of flexible development. Also, this division could <br />include historic preservation and staff support for the Agricultural <br />Board. <br />John Link said that the GIS will be a great educational and <br />functional tool for how a persons property can be developed. <br />Commissioner Crowther mentioned he would like to see community <br />planning instead of community maintenance. Soil and Water related areas <br />could also move toward community maintenance. <br />RECOGNITION OF GROUPS WHO MADE THE HOMESTEAD COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT <br />P(7 ~ ~ T RT .F <br />A presentation of a plaque which will be placed in the center was <br />presented to Mr. and Mrs. Preston Hogan of the Homestead Community <br />Organization and to Ms. Jewel Altemueller of the Calavander Homemakers <br />Extension Club. <br />L U N C H <br />SCHOOLS <br />Chair Carey said that the School Construction Standards Committee <br />seems to be focusing on storage space and teacher work space and not so <br />much on square footage per student. They have no recommendations yet. <br />John Link reviewed the current equity funding policies. The focus is <br />on trying to appropriate funds either by reducing the district tax or <br />keeping it the same. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that it looks like equity has been achieved. <br />She feels that the County needs a definition of equity. <br />Commissioner Willhoit said that equity needs to be revisited. It may <br />be necessary to increase the district tax to pay for startup cost for the <br />new schools in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School system. <br />Chair Carey said that he thought equity was being achieved under the <br />plus or minus five percent. It is a question of how this is implemented. <br />John Link explained that the definition has been a moving target over <br />the last four or five years. When the equity policies were implemented, <br />