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' I r J amendments to the Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan and Map and the Orange County Comprehensive Plan (Land Use Element) and Map to incorporate recommendations from the New Hope Creek Corridor Open Space Master Plan. In 1989, the governing boards of Orange County, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Durham County recognized the value of an open space corridor linking the Eno River State Park, lands along New Hope Creek, and U.S. Corps of Engineers' land at Lake Jordan. The four jurisdictions contracted with Coulter Associates, Landscape Architects & Land Planners, to prepare a master plan for the corridor. Produced with the assistance of a multi- jurisdictional advisory committee, the New Hope Creek Corridor Open Space Master Plan was presented to the elected officials of the four jurisdictions in April, 1991. The plan includes recommendations for acquiring critical environmental areas such as stream beds, floodplains, steep slopes, and larger tracts with historic, educational or recreational value. Acquisition could be through donation, purchase in fee simple, or purchase of development rights. Some of the wildlife corridors should remain in private ownership. The Orange County portion of the Corridor includes: 1. Wildlife Corridors, including the 100-year floodplain; a. New Hope Creek Wildlife Corridor-beginning at the point the creek crosses Mt. Sinai Road (SR 1718) extending through Duke Forest to Erwin Road (SR 1737); also includes a portion of the floodplain along Old Field Creek between the Existing Natural Area and New Hope Creek; b. Piney Mountain Creek Wildlife Corridor - extending through the Couch Tract of Duke Forest south along Piney Mountain Creek across Mt. Sinai Road to New Hope Creek; c. Rhodes Creek Wildlife Corridor - beginning south of Cornwallis Road extending northeast to Eno River State Park; 2. Wildlife Protection Area, including the 100-year floodplain between Erwin Road and the Durham County line; 3. Unpaved nature trails; and a. Within Duke Forest on existing roads and trails b. Across Cornwallis Road (SR 1716) connecting the Couch Tract and the Durham Division of Duke Forest; and C. Along Sunrise Road crossing I-40 to the Korstian Division access point of Whitfield Road; 4. Bike/pedestrian trails. a. In conjunction with a Scenic Road Designation along NC 751 and any future extension; and b. Following Old NC 10 to Mt. Hermon Church Road, across US Highway 70 to Pleasant Green Road to reach Eno River State Park. Mr. Waldon, Planning Director for the Town of Chapel Hill, announced the schedule for the Town Planning Board and Town Council to consider the proposed amendments. He added that the Chapel Hill planning staff would also propose amendments to the town's Land Use Plan to include portions of the New Hope Corridor Open Space Master Plan within the town limits. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED FOR QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS. Mr. David Patterson stated that he was an Orange County native and a descendant of John Patterson who owned land along New Hope Creek. Mr. Patterson urged protection of the headwaters of New Hope Creek, especially from site #4 under consideration for the proposed County landfill.