Orange County NC Website
"My name is Kathleen Schenley. My home at 6714 Millhouse Road was built in 1981. <br /> The site selection process has gone awry in many ways. I wish to address the site <br /> selection criteria established and adopted by the BOCC. <br /> Adopted Exclusionary Criteria #9 includes `county-owned land acquired for parks <br /> and/or nature preserves.' The Paydarfar property was purchased using Park and Open Space <br /> Bond funds — money designated by the citizens of this county for the purchase of park land — <br /> not transfer stations. <br /> Adopted Community-Specific Criteria #1 (Environmental Justice Considerations states <br /> `fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the <br /> negative environmental consequences resulting from transportation, governmental, and <br /> commercial operations or policies.' The citizens of the greater Rogers Road neighborhood <br /> have already born this burden. No more. <br /> Adopted Community-Specific Criteria #3 (Impact on Local lnsfrastructure) — cites the <br /> need to consider `the potential impact....of increased collection and transfer traffic and <br /> suitability of roadway designs for heavy traffic.' Millhouse Road is in no way suitable for this <br /> kind of traffic. <br /> Adopted Community-Specific Criteria #4 (Adjacent Land Uses) — requires <br /> considerations of `potential impact on a community's existing use of space (e.g. restriction of <br /> open space or outdoor uses).' To build a transfer station adjoining a park would certainly <br /> restrict its use. <br /> Adopted Community-Specific Criteria #5 (Proximity to Schools, Churches, and <br /> Recreation Sites) — asks for consideration of `how near a facility is to parks.....or other public <br /> areas where people congregate.' Again, a park and a transfer station are not compatible <br /> neighbors. <br /> Adopted Community-Specific Criteria #10 (Traffic Compatibility) — states that `the best <br /> sites for transfer stations are located away from areas that have....school bus and pedestrian <br /> traffic.' Millhouse Road has both school bus and pedestrian traffic, plus significant use by <br /> recreational cyclists. <br /> Adopted Community-Specific Criteria #11 (Impact on Historical and cultural features) — <br /> requires `understanding the community's history, values, goals, and aspirations.' The history of <br /> this property dates to colonial times; the values held by the Blackwood family cherished natural <br /> preservation; the goals of the Blackwood family were to preserve this land for future <br /> generations to enjoy; the aspiration of this community is to live in peace with our neighbors and <br /> nature. <br /> The Town Operations Center site and the Paydarfar property are not suitable for a <br /> waste transfer station. These are your criteria. You adopted them. You should obey them." <br /> Susan Walser spoke on behalf of Orange County Voice. She said that there has been <br /> no discussion or disclosure of the financial impact of a waste transfer station. She said that <br /> the County should discuss the full economic impacts before deciding on a site. She said that <br /> the residents deserve an option that is socially, environmentally, and fiscally responsible. <br /> Kathy Kaufman spoke for the Orange County Organizing Committee. She said that for <br /> two years, the County has spent a lot of money working out this issue of what to do with the <br /> trash once the landfill is closed. She said that the site identification process has failed to <br /> identify viable sites. She said that it is in the best interest of everyone involved to find a <br /> solution that works. She said that the Orange County Organizing Committee thinks that the <br /> County should add and approve an Option 5, "to pursue a simple amended process that would <br /> yield suitable sites." She gave some suggestions for amending the process: 1) reduce the <br /> parcel size from 25 to 10 acres; 2) disqualify sites that are adjacent to residential areas; 3) <br /> revisit the highway criteria looking especially for sites near an interstate; 4) recognize that <br />