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5 <br /> meeting. <br /> CITIZEN COMMENTS ARE LISTED BELOW: <br /> CARL WALTERS spoke in support of commercial and industrial development <br /> in the Efland Cheeks area. He does not feel that the pay scale for new <br /> businesses will cause residential growth. He noted that Mebane has lots of <br /> water and plans to zone up to the Cheeks crossroads. He is pleased with the <br /> Rural Character proposal. He would like for the Board to move ahead with <br /> prezoning and approving all the Economic Development Districts (EDDs) . <br /> ROY ROTH read a prepared statement. This is in the Permanent Agenda <br /> File in the Clerk's office. His recommendation is that the County hold off <br /> on approving the I-40/Old NC 86 node until a clearer picture of the economic <br /> impact and the open space deterioration is known and/or better defined. <br /> JOEL SIPRESS, Orange County Greens, spoke in support of an idea <br /> presented by Commissioner Gordon at a previous work session in which there <br /> would be overlay districts which would fast track in projects that meet a set <br /> of criteria that reflect the economic and social needs of the County. This <br /> would reward those projects that are a benefit to the County. He feels that <br /> criteria could be developed to address employment issues and determine whether <br /> a specific project would provide significant employment opportunities to the <br /> Orange County work force and, if so, could then fast track in those projects. <br /> This approach would encourage what is desired and discourage what is <br /> detrimental. It provides an incentive to those projects that meet the needs <br /> of the citizens and places focus on the specific fiscal, economic and <br /> environmental impact of a given project rather than on categories of <br /> acceptable uses. He feels the Economic Development District proposal must be <br /> viewed as one component of an Orange County Economic Development Strategy that <br /> also includes support for community-based economic development such as the <br /> Carrboro Farmers Market and the efforts of the Midway Development Commission. <br /> BILLY SMITH presented a petition from the homeowners on Old NC 86 in <br /> which they request to be zoned business. He understands that there are going <br /> to be small businesses across from his home and also that the road in front <br /> of his house will be widen. They were told that the road would be widened on <br /> the north side of the road. He is concerned that Hillsborough is making <br /> decisions that the County should make. Marvin Collins said that their request <br /> will go to public hearing on February 28. Commissioner Halkiotis asked that <br /> the widening of this road be investigated. John Link will get a copy of the <br /> approval and talk with Hillsborough about this issue. The County Attorney <br /> will let the Board know the legal interpretation of whether Hillsborough has <br /> the right to approve the widening of this road. After all the information is <br /> received, the Board will decide whether or not to write the Department of <br /> Transportation officials and their legislative delegates. <br /> MARY AYES who owns property in the I-40/Old NC86 area spoke in support <br /> of the EDDs. She feels that growth will occur and that steps to guide the <br /> growth are needed. She feels that longer approval processes prevent good <br /> projects, based on design standards, from coming to Orange County. She feels <br /> this is not just a farmland issue. She urged the Board to approve the EDD for <br /> the I-40/Old 86 area. <br /> MARK MARCOPLOS distributed information on "A Declaration of <br /> Interdependence" which talked about sustainable design. He feels that <br /> incorporating sustainable design into the Design Standards would be prudent <br /> because the environment is stressed and needs to be protected. He read from <br />