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9 <br /> II. Site Analysis / Opportunities & Constraints Report <br /> In order to adequately develop a master plan for the site, it is helpful to <br /> understand the context, setting and resources that exist on the property. To this <br /> end, an Opportunities and Constraints Report was created that explored the <br /> natural and cultural setting of the property, its history, and the challenges and <br /> opportunities that will be found in designing a park. Prior to this report, three <br /> surveys were conducted in July-September 2006 to specifically assess certain <br /> attributes and resources. These were: <br /> ❑ A biological resources assessment, to evaluate the flora and fauna of the <br /> site along with other natural resources, <br /> ❑ A cultural/archaeological surrey, to explore and evaluate the historic and <br /> archaeological resources present, and <br /> ❑ A topographic/tree location survey, to provide detailed information about <br /> the lay of the land and all trees of 18-inch caliper and greater (for future <br /> design purposes). <br /> This section summarizes the findings in the Opportunities and Constraints <br /> Report, which in turn used the findings of the three surveys. (The full report is <br /> provided as Appendix 1). <br /> Most of the original farm remains intact with the old farmhouse and outbuildings <br /> surrounded by agricultural fields and mature woodlands. Some of the rural <br /> character and setting was compromised by the construction of NC 86 in the early <br /> 1950s and Interstate 40 in the early 1990s. The land was not actively farmed <br /> after the 1980's, other than hay production by a nearby farmer. Despite those <br /> changes, the general character of the neighborhood remains much as it was over <br /> the past century. <br /> From a planning and zoning perspective, the property is located within the <br /> Orange County-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Joint Planning Area, inside the Rural Buffer <br /> that surrounds Chapel Hill and Carrboro on the north and west. Surrounding land <br /> uses include New Hope Church Road to the south, NC 86 to the east (across <br /> from New Hope Elementary School), a large-lot residential subdivision to the <br /> north, and Interstate 40 and a large undeveloped tract to the west. <br /> The 152-acre site is a mixture of woodland and open farm fields, on which hay <br /> continues to be grown. The old Chapel Hill-Hillsborough Road ran directly in front <br /> of the farmhouse and is still clearly visible as a sunken travel way traversing the <br /> property from south to north. The original house (ca 1827) has been remodeled <br /> many times over the generations. Several farm outbuildings remain, including a <br /> large barn, smokehouse, milking shed, corncrib and garage. <br /> 4 <br />