Orange County NC Website
5 <br />the current zoning if the Arendt plan is not adopted. <br />Jan Halle, an Orange County resident, spoke against the extension of <br />water and sewer from Hillsborough. Open space and cluster development is the <br />answer for the rural area; however, developers need to be required to adhere <br />to the current zoning. The average perkability is approximately one unit per <br />two acres; quadrupling the density does not provide the answer to more open <br />space. She felt that open space needs to be properly defined as river and <br />stream beds, agricultural lands, and contiguous wildlife corridors. <br />Diane Bloom , an Orange County resident, stated that there are 24,000 <br />acres in Eno Township and 20,000 which could be developed. A long range <br />planning process is vital in order to protect a unique and rich blend of <br />wetlands and woodlands. She suggested as a requirement for open space cluster <br />developments, under a yield plan, 50% of the buildable land be set aside for <br />agricultural, preserved woodlands or active recreation. That would preserve <br />the beauty and be economically beneficial. <br />Callie Warner, an Orange County resident, spoke against this proposal <br />and presented the following petition signed by 70 residents. She also <br />presented slides which showed the proposed University Station area and the <br />natural beauty of that area. <br />"This petition is a formal request to the Board of County <br />Commissioners by the undersigned citizens of Orange County. We <br />would like to participate in a small area planning process in the <br />rural-residential section of Orange County. The area under <br />consideration would encompass approximately 3000 acres bounded to <br />the West by Old 86, to the East by Highway 70, to the North by <br />Hillsborough's Transition Area and to the South by the Rural <br />Buffer. This area would include the proposed University Station <br />site. <br />Many property owners in this region are willing to engage in a pro- <br />active process for long-range planning. Due to the tremendous <br />growth in this part of the county, and a common goal to preserve <br />and protect significant ecological and rural features, we feel the <br />small area planning process is the only appropriate approach. This <br />is not an unprecedented request. The southern part of Orange <br />County (in the Chapel Hill Planning Jurisdiction) has already <br />engaged in one small area planning process which led to a <br />successful conclusion. We would appreciate your prompt attention <br />to this request and we feel confident that, as our elected <br />officials, you will support a process that encourages citizen <br />participation." <br />Julie Andresen, an Orange County resident, spoke as a member of the <br />Citizens for Livable Communities committee. She indicated that it is <br />important to apply the principles of sustainable development to the land in <br />Orange County. One of those principles is to conserve and preserve natural <br />resources. Another is to encourage local empowerment and participation. <br />Also, it is necessary to apply zoning based on a vision created by the people <br />