Agenda - 12-07-2009 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Although Site 056 has been demonstrated to be a suitable site for the transfer station, one or both of the sites under re- consideration may also be shown to be suitable and may offer advantages in development and operational costs and in reducing hauling distances for the collection trucks. The reduced haul distances could offer environmental advantages in reduced fuel usage by the collection trucks and the resulting reduced emissions of greenhouse gases. An environmental justice assessment was used in conjunction with other community evaluation criteria in the ranking of the ten finalist sites. In order to quantify the community population surrounding each site being considered, 2000 Census block and block group data were used to rank the sites regarding potentially vulnerable population groups including: minority populations, age groups ( <18 years and >65 years), education sectors ( >25 years old without a high school diploma or equivalent), and low income populations (living below the poverty level). The evaluation was done by calculating the number of people per acre for each population group located within a 1,000 -foot radius of the candidate site being scored. For each candidate site, the population densities for each of these population groups were added together and the total value ranked from highest density of vulnerable groups to the lowest density for the ten finalist sites. As previously discussed, the Paydarfar site was not included in those original ten finalist sites. However, as a part of the re- consideration of this site, the population density of vulnerable groups was calculated in the same manner. The resulting population density score for the Paydarfar site is comparable to the other candidate sites on Highway 54 (within 1,000 feet of the property boundary). The development of the Paydarfar site as the County transfer station is not expected to place a disproportionate burden of potential environmental consequences on any group of people within 1,000 feet of the property boundary. The area within this radius is sparsely populated since a great portion of the land with the radius is owned by the County or the Town of Chapel Hill. The historically black Rogers - Eubanks Community is located approximately half a mile to the south - southwest of the Paydarfar site, although the exact boundaries of the Rogers - Eubanks Community are subject to interpretation. 3.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PROJECT AREA 3.1 Topography The property has slight to moderate slopes in the general range of less than 5 to 10 percent with elevations ranging between 497 feet and 520 feet. See Exhibit C.1 for the site location and area topography within the Chapel Hill USGS quadrangle. A topographic drainage feature angles from the southeast corner of the property toward the northwest. A small area bordering the drainage feature has slopes in excess of 10 percent. Exhibit C.2 is a more detailed topographic map of the Environmental Assessment — Paydarfar Site 6 September 30, 2009