Orange County NC Website
8 <br />(6) Change the upper limit for non-residential impervious surface <br />in WS-IV watersheds from 50$ to 70~ to correctly reflect the <br />amount allowed by the State mandate. <br />(7) Correct the definition of Critical Area in Article 22 to <br />reflect a distance of 1/2 mile from the normal pool of the <br />reservoir or the ridgeline of the watershed, whichever is less. <br />(8) Other clarifications of and references to standards which are <br />already in place. <br />Mary Willis noted that the only issue where the Planning Board <br />differed from the staff recommendation involved the sliding scale for <br />impervious surface. The Planning Board proposed alternative sliding scales <br />to address the decrease in square footage on lots from 4.5 to 6.0 acres. <br />In answer to a question from Commissioner Gordon, Mary Willis <br />clarified that the same impervious surface scale is proposed for critical <br />areas and the areas in the balance of the watershed as well. This would <br />include all of University Lake watershed for new lots. <br />In answer to a question from Commissioner Gordon, Mary Willis <br />stated that the 300 feet setback for septic systems has been in place since <br />1984 and was the result of a study done at that time. <br />Julie Andresen, Member of the Chapel Hill Town Council and Chair <br />of the OWASA Board, stated that she has not had adequate time to review the <br />proposed changes and asked that she be allowed additional time to make <br />comments. She feels that the watershed standards should be more restrictive. <br />Mary Willis stated that she does not know if any of the four <br />landfill sites are in the watershed area. With regard to the convenience <br />centers, in most areas this situation is improved by less restrictive <br />regulations in the proposed standards with exception of the Upper Eno <br />Watershed and the Back Creek Watershed. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to a map of University Watershed <br />with travel times. She noticed that not all the watersheds are the same. One <br />difference has to do with the total size of the watershed. The larger travel <br />times for stormwater runoff to get to the reservoir are north/south at around <br />six hours. It is less for east/west. Without a study the travel times for <br />Cane Creek are not known but they are probably about the same. In contrast, <br />the Little River Watershed has a twelve hour travel time to the reservoir in <br />Durham County. She feels the County should think of these watersheds not only <br />in terms of classification but in terms of their size and travel times for <br />stormwater runoff. This could result in a higher standard for Cane Creek and <br />consideration of a lower impervious surface ratio outside of the twelve hour <br />travel time. She would like to see more differentiation in the watersheds of <br />a similar category. <br />Commissioner Willhoit questioned the validity of the travel time. <br />He would like to discuss, at another time, the County's ability to regulate <br />travel times. He has a problem with protecting Durham's water supply when the <br />County has no signals that Durham will do the same for Orange County. <br />Commissioner Gordon agreed that the impervious surface issue needs <br />to be looked at in terms of the total amount and the sliding scale. The <br />Planning Board expressed a concern that this impervious surface ratio would <br />discourage larger lots. She feels that the County should look at the <br />commitment to protect the reservoir and also the intent for the use of that <br />land. She would like to see a more differentiated approach based on the <br />specific watershed. She does not support a sliding scale which gives smaller <br />