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299 <br /> Chairman Carey asked for Board input on the process that <br /> should be followed in moving the Rural Character Report recommendations <br /> to their next step of approval. Carrboro has approved the <br /> recommendations and Chapel Hill is currently considering them. <br /> Commissioner Gordon made the following statement which is <br /> hereby made a part of these minutes: <br /> "As we discuss proposals for the Rural Buffer, I would <br /> suggest that we follow three principles: <br /> A. Support the Joint Planning Agreement and continue to <br /> promote intergovernmental cooperation with Carrboro and <br /> Chapel Hill. As I tried to emphasize at the Commissioners' <br /> planning retreat on December 8, it is important to approach <br /> any discussions in the spirit of cooperation not <br /> confrontation. As co-chair of the advisory group which <br /> helped to shape the Joint Planning Agreement, I believe it <br /> is extremely important to support such joint planning. <br /> During the coming decade joint planning and regional <br /> cooperation are going to be increasingly significant. <br /> B. Follow procedures that will resolve the remaining issues <br /> as quickly as is prudent and possible. We owe that to the <br /> residents in the current rural Buffer area and we also owe <br /> it to the members of the Rural Character Study Committee who <br /> have worked so long and so fruitfully. <br /> C. Adopt proposals which are environmentally sound. As we <br /> deliberate we need to know the carrying capacity of the land <br /> for development. I believe there is a considerable amount <br /> of information already available on the amount of groundwater <br /> in the buffer and the capability of the land to support <br /> septic tanks, as well as other information on soils and <br /> slopes. We should have that information presented to us in <br /> the course of our deliberations and we should consider it <br /> carefully. " <br /> Commissioner Willhoit feels that the only way to resolve the <br /> issues is to have a forum in which all views can be heard and discussed. <br /> He sees the remaining issues as (1) Rural Buffer and (2) Alternative <br /> Sewage Disposal Systems. The real issues to be decided have to do with <br /> option D -- planned residential development and option E -- rural <br /> villages. The real issue is the desirability of D & E as a. means of <br /> addressing the concerns about rural character. Commissioner Willhoit <br /> listed the issues he feels need to be discussed in considering options <br /> D & E. <br /> 1. LOCATION - are the locations of planned residential <br /> developments and rural villages to be directed, identified <br /> on the Land Use Plan, or are they to just happen? This <br /> decision will impact on the planning for utilities and other <br /> services. <br />