Orange County NC Website
5 <br /> lot size minimum. <br /> KENT HAYES, an Orange County resident, spoke in support of the two acre lot <br /> size minimum. <br /> HAZEL LUNSFORD, an Orange County resident, indicated that she lives just <br /> outside the extraterritorial area. She spoke against the two acre lot minimum. <br /> She believes that this would make it more difficult for moderate income folks to <br /> buy and build in Orange County. <br /> STEPHEN ROBERTS, a builder and a native of Orange County, commented on the <br /> growth which has already occurred in Orange County over the years. He spoke <br /> against this proposal because the people who own this land have a right to <br /> develop it as they choose. <br /> R. P. EDWARDS, an Orange County resident, spoke against the proposal to <br /> increase the minimum lot size to two acres. <br /> ROBERT GRIFFIN, an Orange County resident, spoke against the proposal to <br /> increase the lot size to two acres. <br /> SANDY STALLINGS indicated that the rural character of Orange County is one <br /> of its most precious resources. The preservation of rural character in important <br /> to the future of Orange County. She indicated support for the open space cluster <br /> housing model. <br /> CALLIE WARNER, an Orange County resident, indicated support for the <br /> preservation of rural character and the continuing availability of affordable <br /> housing. She stated that the zoning proposal that is being presented is <br /> excellent. She spoke in support of required open space cluster development. She <br /> showed a series of slides which presented a visual picture of Orange County as <br /> it is today as well as other communities and their solutions to the increasing <br /> demand for housing. <br /> ANN VALENTINE also presented several slides showing examples of the <br /> conventional cookie-cutter type of sprawl. She pointed out that the development <br /> in North Raleigh was an example of 70% open space being an option rather than a <br /> requirement. The result was very little open space. She feels that with the <br /> cookie-cutter option of one acre or one unit per two acre, all the beautiful land <br /> will be developed in Orange County. She showed slides which illustrated how <br /> development needs can be addressed while providing farmers with opportunities to <br /> develop their land or continue farming. She does not support the unbuildable <br /> areas being included in the 50% open space calculation. After the unbuildable <br /> areas are highlighted, the 50% buildable land should be identified for <br /> preservation which may include farmland, forest land, vistas and environmentally <br /> sensitive areas. It is at this point, the determination is made where the house <br /> lots can be placed on the land. She showed slides of how much open space is <br /> left. Instead of putting added infrastructure costs on the developer with <br /> conventional development, the road system in an open space development is <br /> minimized, with lower cost to the developer. Homeowners also benefit because <br /> they don't have to look at roads from the front, side or back of their houses. <br /> Common open space is provided and a sense of community is created. These kinds <br /> of developments are not only desirable but the resale value is greater than <br /> conventional developments. She showed an open space development in Pennsylvania <br /> and said that people are willing to pay money to look out on farmland. <br /> DAN KENAN, a resident of Orange County for 35 years and a research <br /> scientist at Duke University, spoke in support of preserving rural character. <br /> This is one of the best ways to maintain the precious resources in the County. <br /> He presented a slide showing a document commissioned by Orange County and done <br /> by the Triangle Land Conservancy called "The Inventory of Natural Areas and <br /> Wildlife Habitat in Orange County". Most of the 64 sites identified are located <br />