Orange County NC Website
8 <br />jurisdiction. Geof Gledhill indicated that this property can be included but <br />that this constitutes a change in the proposal and would need to be advertised <br />and taken to public hearing. <br />Dan Coleman spoke about transportation. He feels that years from now, <br />there will be congestion and increased pollution at the proposed nodes. He <br />stated that-there has been inadequate study done on the transportation issue. <br />He asked that time be allowed to study the transportation issue. <br />Joel Sipress, Orange County Greens, expressed a concern that the jobs <br />created by these EDDs will go to newcomers instead of those citizens presently <br />living here. He feels this type of development may have a negative impact on <br />the tax base. He asked that further study be completed before the nodes are <br />approved. Chair Carey noted that there is no way to guarantee that new jobs <br />created by economic development will go to those who already live in the area. <br />It is possible that the new jobs will go to those who live in the County who <br />are in low paying jobs. Mr. Sipress feels that if jobs are filled by local <br />residents, the impact on the tax base can be avoided. <br />Lee Rafalow noted that people are pleading with the County to include <br />their property in the node so they can move back to the county. He is <br />concerned that these developments will be given fast tract approval and the <br />people will not have an opportunity to make comments. <br />Meg McKean lives south and east of the largest node. She is extremely <br />alarmed that three EDD's are being considered. She would like to see the <br />Board of County Commissioners go back to the rural character study. She would <br />like to see the County proceed in smaller steps. <br />Cheryl Howie, resident of Cornwallis Hills, asked that the County <br />Commissioners approve this EDD. She stated that if large parcels are not set <br />aside soon, there will be no large parcels left. <br />Richard Williams talked about the low employment rate and the fact that <br />Orange County actually has no unemployment. He asked that the 14$ that live <br />below the poverty level not be forgotten. If this is delayed it will hurt <br />those people who do not have economic status. He noted that, at this time, <br />for those people who live below the poverty level there are no options - they <br />either accept low paying jobs in the County or go to college. He asked that <br />the County not eliminate the I85 and I40 node. He emphasized that the County <br />put in a strong plan to be sure there is quality economic development. <br />Bob Hanzie from Hancor Inc. stated that they have had to increase their <br />manufacturing facility in Orange County. They found they needed additional <br />space for storage and would need a rezoning but have been asked to wait until <br />the EDDs are approved. They need this storage area immediately. This would <br />be in the Buckhorn district. <br />Julie Andresen, speaking as a citizen of Chapel Hill, said she has <br />heard a lot of discussion about jobs. She noted that she has not seen a plan <br />encouraging firms to come which would replace the low paying jobs at the <br />university. There is no guarantee of the quality of jobs that will be <br />created. Two of these nodes are near the Rural Buffer. She is concerned that <br />this will cause some problems in the Joint Land Use Plan between Chapel Hill <br />and Orange County. She is concerned about the lack of public comment. <br />Roy Roth asked that two documents be entered into the record of this <br />meeting. An open letter from Margaret Brown and a letter from Mr. Roth will <br />be entered into these minutes by reference. Mr. Roth made commends on the I- <br />40/Old N.C. 86 node. He noted that more than half of this node lies outside <br />of the Transition area defined in the Orange County-Hillsborough Cooperative <br />