Agenda - 04-06-2010 - 4a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

3 1 We further request that this matter be placed on the respective agendas for discussion at the 2 next possible scheduled public hearings of both the Carrboro Board of Aldermen and the 3 Orange County Board of Commissioners, with an advance notice of at least two weeks. The 4 basis for our request is as follows: 5 6 Whereas, Carrboro's leadership repeatedly has claimed that it has no interest in 7 annexing our land; and 8 Whereas, Carrboro has no expertise in managing farms or rural land; and 9 Whereas, we believe that ETJ land should be governed by those who have experience 10 with governing farms and rural land, and not by an urban management principles and urban 11 land-use ordinances; and 12 Whereas, the application of Carrboro's land use ordinances to farms and rural land is 13 inappropriate and threatens our existence, our livelihood, our culture, our family life, and.overall, 14 our survival; and 15 Whereas, we believe that town policies foster continuing development of Carrboro's 16 urban area and, thus, increasingly pose threats to our land, livestock, and livelihood; and 17 Whereas, there exists no statutory mandate that requires Carrboro to govern the region 18 known as its ETJ; and 19 Whereas, we receive no benefits and do not seek benefits from Carrboro's urban 20 management; and 21 Whereas, we believe in the democratic process and inalienable rights guaranteed by the 22 U. S. Constitution and, as such, require the opportunity to elect those who govern our land and 23 the opportunity to serve on those elected governing bodies; and 24 Whereas, there is precedent for remanding development jurisdiction to counties from 25 municipalities; and 26 Whereas, North Carolina has adopted a Farm Protection Plan administered by the 27 NCDA; and 28 Whereas, Orange County's pending version has been described as "farmer friendly" and 29 was expected by year-end of 2009 30 31 We hereby request that Carrboro's leadership agree to relinquish development jurisdiction, as 32 above, and make a concerted effort to seek support for an approval of the above from the 33 Commissioners of Orange County at this time; that this effort be initiated in good faith by all 34 parties hereto by no later than November 15, 2009; and that an amendment reflecting this 35 change of jurisdiction be formally adopted and acknowledged in the Joint Planning Agreement, 36 and any and all other relevant legal resources or mechanisms as deemed necessary to ensure 37 acknowledgement and complete compliance by the governments of Orange County, Carrboro, 38 and Chapel Hill. 39 40 In the interim, we require that Carrboro cease to apply its urban land use ordinances to ETJ 41 land and farms for so long as we do not seek to urbanize our real property; and proceed 42 henceforth as if our land is presently governed by Orange County's ordinances from this day 43 forward, and not by Carrboro's LUO. 44 45 The Board received the petition. 46 47 Warren Womble spoke about the ETJ issue. He said that this has to do with financial 48 gain and the landowners are very concerned about their future and their land. He said that they 49 want their children to have a fair shot at an equitable value for their land when the time comes.