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6 the record of this meeting by reference. He mentioned that he cannot conceive of this area supporting a light rail system. He is concerned about the water. The Durham pipeline was built for emergencies and the golf course does not constitute an emergency. Education, not housing, is the number one concern in North Carolina. He feels the process should have started with information on making the area urban. He feels that this property could be used for an equestrian community. BILL BRACTsY, Conservation Chair of the Orange/Chatham Sierra Club, made reference to newspaper articles stating that some have been incorrect. He feels that the terms rural character and density neutral have been misused. He stated that the Sierra Club did not endorse University Station. They do endorse the idea of cluster development and rural villages that preserve open space and facilitate mass transit and hope that appropriate zoning will be put in place to allow this. He asked that the Board of County Commissioners take this opportunity to aggressively pursue innovative planning options, especially including transferable development rights. Strict agricultural and very large lot zoning can prevent the sprawl that sewer lines, transit corridors, etc. will cause if allowed. He hopes that those who oppose this project will consider joining one of the conservation groups to preserve some of the natural areas in the county. CINDY IDOL stated that they moved to University Station Road from Woodcroft because they wanted to live in the country. She is strongly opposed to the proposed University Station development and particularly the rezoning of that section of land which would allow for smaller lots. She hopes the Board of County Commissioners listen to what the people have to say and that something good comes from this. If this development goes, she hopes that the best of all the knowledge the people have assimilated is put together for the good of all. PATRICIA ANDREWS read a statement which has been made a part of the record of this meeting by reference. She is against the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan and to the creation of a newly designated category of Open Space. She feels that the economic, environmental, logistical and educational issues are very different than they were several years ago when the University Station village was first introduced. She expressed concerns about the schools and the carrying capacity of the roads. She questioned what will happen to this area if the venture fails. She is against any amendment or category changes or other loopholes which would make it possible for urbanization to take place in this area. PAUL ANDREWS spoke about seven concerns. He feels that the density is too high. The density bonuses are too generous. The developers have proposed a golf course community, a suburban subdivision and village density or three developments for the price of one. He is concerned about the overcrowded roads and schools. Dense urban development leads to groundwater contamination. His fifth concern is open land. University Station will not preserve rural open land. Most all studies show that developments of this kind are a liability to local governments. He feels that this is actually two developments with a University Station North and University Station South. He suggested that the county adopt a policy of not extending water and sewer to rural areas. The affect has been to rejuvenate growth in urban areas and preserve the rural areas. He feels that high density growth will follow water and sewer. BOB HALL, Director of Research for the Institute for Southern Studies,