Orange County NC Website
4 <br />Michael Warner, an Orange County resident, indicated that he supports <br />the need for open space. However, the real issue is density. He opposes <br />allowing two units per acre which would quadruple the present density <br />allowances. He feels that this proposal would destroy the rural character of <br />Orange County. He indicated that the typical density in rural Orange County <br />is approximately 7 houses per 100 acres. The density in the Town of <br />Hillsborough is 71 units per 100 acres. The density in the Town of Chapel <br />Hill is 147 houses per 100 acres. He indicated that the current proposal <br />would allow up to two units per acre which is 200 houses per 100 acres. If <br />the 30$ was subtracted from the 100 acres it would allow 200 houses on 70 <br />acres. He suggested a proposal be adopted that requires open space and allows <br />septic systems using the present Land Use Plan. <br />Robert Grill, architect and planner from Greensboro, indicated that the <br />roads in the rural portions of the County are currently underutilized. The <br />proposed development will not appreciably impact these roads. It will <br />increase traffic, however, the roads are certainly able to handle it. There <br />will be left turn lanes added to help traffic move along. He indicated that <br />current traffic counts indicate that approx 1500 to 2000 cars a day travel on <br />Old NC 10; approximately 1000 to 1500 on New Hope Church Road; and <br />approximately 400 on University Station Road. He indicated that additional <br />traffic resulting from this development would be 5000 to 6000 cars each day. <br />They estimate that 3000 of those cars will travel south on New Hope Church <br />Road or Hwy. 86; an additional 25~ would travel east on Hwy. 10; and, 15~ <br />would go west on Hwy 10. <br />Dr. Leon Lucas, with N.C. State University, addressed the issues of <br />turf grass and open space. He commented that the majority of turf grass is <br />used in home and golf courses. Turf grass stabilizes soils, improves water <br />infiltration, removes sediment from water, and cools surrounding areas. He <br />indicated the State has established many regulations in the use of this turf <br />grass in order to avoid sedimentation. Tests have shown that when fertilizer <br />and pesticides were applied according to best management practices, no <br />problems were detected. Turf grass is considered to be an excellent <br />biological filter system. He stated that he feels that well-maintained golf <br />courses should be considered as open space. <br />Roy Roth, an Orange County resident, spoke against this proposed <br />amendment saying that it would negatively impact the school system, increase <br />automobile traffic, devastate rural open space and increase the tax burden of <br />Orange County residents. His comments in their entirety are in the permanent <br />agenda file in the Clerk's office. <br />Robert Griffin, a resident of the Town of Chapel Hill, asked that the <br />open space designation be based on long term planning rather than on the short <br />term development interest. He requested that a small group of scientifically <br />trained citizens be appointed to study this issue before any development is <br />started. <br />Martha Lorantos, a resident of Orange County, spoke in support of long <br />range planning. She does not support the Land Use Plan which is being <br />considered. She spoke in favor of using the Arendt plan as a first choice and <br />