Minutes 02-22-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Nelson arrived at 7:18 PM. PUBLIC COMMENT: Shu-Fai Fung has property in this area. He said that he wants Hillsborough to be his future home. He is concerned about the market value of his property if this is approved. He is worried about whether he can resell his land if the impervious area is limited. He asked about the 12% ratio. Craig Benedict said that with this particular land, he could go to 11%. David Turner said that he has property—over 3 %2 acres—that is in the protected area, but it is to be transferred to the critical area. He said that the road easements that his neighbors use to get in and out of their property will be countered against the 6% limit that applies to his lot. He thinks that they should be applied to the 6% limit of the neighbor's lots. Craig Benedict said that if there are roadway easements that were part of a minor subdivision, sometimes in the language of the subdivision it says, "where the impervious area is assigned." He said that he would have to look at the roadway easements to see if there could be a transfer of shared impervious surface. Ben Lloyd said that Orange County has 18,000 acres of land in the critical area, which has no public water or sewer, no commercial, and no industrial activity. He said that the intent is to protect the water supply and he supports this. He has been on the Orange-Alamance Water Board for 40 years and he is Secretary and Treasurer of the board. He said that Orange- Alamance Water is noted throughout the State in having the cleanest, best-drinking water in the State of North Carolina. He said that some of these areas are identified as the most potential areas in the State for good economic development, which is needed in Orange County. He owns some of this property in the critical area and he supports some of the changes that have been made, but not all of them. He pointed out an area on the map around Eno River. He said that the water flows away from the river and some consideration needs to be given to the way the water flows rather than the way the crow flies. He also made reference to a three-acre tract around the Efland exit, which is in the proposed critical area, but the water from there flows out of the critical area. He thinks that this should be removed from the critical area. He suggested that the County use the stream flow rather than the half mile, and also, in the critical area, if water and sewer is available, some development should be allowed because the water is much more protected with water and sewer than with septic tanks. Gordon Brown said that his farm is bordered on the north side by West Ten Road and on the east by Mt. Willing Road. He said that his involvement began in 1970 when the stakes were driven on his farm. He said that for the last 40 years, they have been in a state of some uncertainty as to what would happen to this land. He said that he has tried to be a good citizen about it. He said that it appears that there will not be a reservoir on this land. He asked the County Commissioners and Planning Board to let it go and to not impose the proposed regulations upon the land. He said that the water quality critical area that is there should be released. He said that the four-mile stretch along West Ten Road has become an area for intense development, such as the proposed Buckhorn Village, Gravelly Hill Middle School, and the soccer park. He said that Orange County should not be wed to the planning concepts of yesteryear. He thinks that the Planning staff has the knowledge and the guidance to get to where the County needs to go. He disagrees that you cannot run water and sewer within the water quality critical area. Bob Lee said that he is concerned with where the County is going to get water in the future. Lake Orange was dry two years ago. He suggested coming up with some more water to supply the economic development zone other than Lake Orange. Bill Few owns about 37 acres on the east side of Dimmocks Mill Road. He said that his plan has always been to ultimately develop this land as a residential subdivision. He said that, listening to the proposed regulations, he is overwhelmed by the impact of the implementation of