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1117 <br /> 4 <br /> IMPACT OF LAND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF GENERATING <br /> REVENUES TO PAY PART OF THE COSTS OF CAPITAL FACILITIES <br /> REQUIRED BY GROWTH <br /> The County Attorney gave a brief overview of this <br /> proposed local legislation. <br /> Sue Baker, member of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School <br /> Board stated that at their January 28th meeting the Board agreed <br /> to support this proposed legislation. Their school system is <br /> projected to gain 2,000 more students by the end of this decade <br /> which will bring them up to 8, 000. They do not have facilities for <br /> their present population and will need additional facilities for <br /> this new population. They feel that for the taxpayers of Orange <br /> County the bill is a fair way of spreading the burden of providing <br /> for the needs of the children. She stated that their board would <br /> be willing to lobby in any way the Board desires. <br /> Larry Carroll spoke on behalf of the Home Builders Association <br /> of Durham and Chapel Hill. He stated their opposition is <br /> absolutely adamant since Orange County has in place a wide range <br /> of impact fee authority. They will help the County develop a <br /> reasonable program. Purchasers of future homes should not be <br /> forced to pay through impact taxes and property taxes for catching <br /> up on deferred capital spending. <br /> 7. A BILL TO LEVY AN OCCUPANCY TAX WITH THE EXPRESS AUTHORITY FOR <br /> • THE USE OF SOME OF ITS PROCEEDS FOR A COUNTY VISITOR'S BUREAU. <br /> Ted Abernathy stated that in the EDC Strategic Plan adopted <br /> in May, 1989, Challenge 9 was to start a program to attract and <br /> serve visitors, to develop and implement countywide programs that <br /> attract visitors and at the same time encourage the preservation <br /> and appreciation of historic and cultural and natural resources. <br /> One of the recommendations from this workgroup was to establish a <br /> one percent dedicated occupancy tax and to get the enabling <br /> legislation for a three percent tax countywide occupancy tax. Both <br /> Chambers, the Public Partnership Board and the EDC Board endorsed <br /> in concept those bills and resolutions. He feels these funds will <br /> help provide a tourism program countywide. <br /> Ken Jackson, resident and business owner in Orange <br /> County, stated there are lots of people that like to come to Chapel <br /> Hill to shop. He is in favor and supports all efforts directed <br /> toward implementing a countywide tourist bureau. He feels that <br /> with coordinated efforts throughout the County and by using the <br /> resources of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough, and using the <br /> resources of the organization he hopes will be establish, everyone <br /> will benefit. He feels there needs to be a coordinated effort to <br /> help groups coming to the area to find a place to stay, eat, shop, <br /> etc. He feels this bureau would help to coordinate this effort. <br /> Bruce Holsten, Executive Director of the Chapel <br /> Hill/Carrboro Downtown Commission, unequivocally supports the <br /> • formation <br /> of an Orange County Visitors Service Authority. He stated the <br /> Downtown Commission supports this program and strongly encourage <br />