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5 <br />Class A Permits are required for larger projects where the impacts cover a <br />much wider area. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked if this entire area is in the open space <br />area. Marvin Collins indicated that the lower portion of the project is not• <br />in the cooperative planning boundary and would not be in the open space area <br />if it did exist. She asked if this was not in existence at all and if the <br />proposal went through and the developers wanted to put something in the open <br />space, what would be allowed in that area. Marvin Collins noted that the way .~ <br />the agreement is worded, in terms of the open space area, is that the Town <br />of Hillsborough can extend public water and sewer to projects in the open <br />space area if they. are developed in accordance with one of the rural <br />character strategies that are adopted. The closest strategy to the <br />conceptual plan that the study committee is considering is the one with 1.74 <br />units per acre and 60~ open space. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked about the impact on the environment of <br />maintaining a golf course. Mr. Cogswell stated that there have been many <br />studies which have indicated that water leaving a golf course downhill is <br />purer than the water that runs. onto a golf course. He will provide a copy <br />of the study to Commissioner Gordon. <br />Marvin Collins stated that one of the things the staff has been <br />discussing with the Rural Character Study Committee is the whole issue of <br />golf courses and the potential impact that could result from the pesticides <br />or insecticides or nutrients that come off of a golf course. Clemson <br />University has been conducting studies for several years on these very <br />impacts and even though there are not any standards set at this time, he is <br />interested in their findings and how to mitigate those impacts. There have <br />also been some recent articles, one of which he will provide copies for. the <br />Board, about a golf course that was designed in the Charleston, South <br />Carolina area in conjunction with a natural area. The biggest complaint is <br />about mosquitos because no pesticides are used. Atypical golf course takes <br />up about 15D acres. <br />Marvin Collins noted that it will be April, 1993 when the <br />Cooperative Area Land Use Plan is brought to public hearing. In answer to <br />a question from Michael Drowns,. Mr. Collins noted that as part of the <br />Cooperative Planning Agreement, the staff position would. be that this area <br />be changed from transition to open space so that the project will stay within <br />the County's jurisdiction. Mr. Drowns asked if the staff and the developer <br />would be willing to take the position that, if this land use change is <br />allowed, to put everything on hold until the Cooperative Agreement is reached <br />and that area designated as open space. This would mean staying with the <br />County which can handle the development. Mr. Collins stated that the reason <br />for the request at this time is the concern of expiration of land options and <br />the threat of losing the project. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked what would happen if the Land Use Plan <br />is changed and becomes a ten-year transition area and then no cooperative <br />agreement is reached with Hillsborough. Mr. Collins stated that it could <br />stay transition and would be the County's jurisdiction. If the County wanted <br />