Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
418 <br /> 6 <br /> Deparment had already negotiated with the developer regarding water <br /> availability including the provision of two small ponds to be used for water <br /> for fire protection. <br /> Maurice Henkels, Orange County resident, expressed opposition to the <br /> proposal on economic grounds. He felt that the County residents would end up <br /> paying for the airport with tax dollars. Mr. Henkels made his comments as part <br /> of a prepared statement. Developers of small airports make money either <br /> through the airport itself or from profit from surrounding land which is <br /> subsequently developed even after the airport fails and becomes publicly <br /> funded. <br /> Dan Edelman, County resident, reviewed a display indicating the intrusion <br /> of a tree into the 20:1 slope of the approach-departure zone. He felt the <br /> approach-departure zone could be reduced only to a minimum 22--- feet which <br /> would allow for a tree height of 110 feet. Edelman also noted that the actual <br /> conditions of the site revealed a wall of trees at the north end of the <br /> proposed runway in which a tree 65 feet in height intruded into the <br /> approach-departure surface for 15 feet. <br /> Joseph Suggs, resident of Bingham Township, discussed the alignment of the <br /> runway with prevailing winds. He presented information from the Greensboro <br /> airport which indicated a 6.3-9.2 miles per hour NE/SW wind. He cautioned that <br /> the smaller the airplane, the more affected it was by wind, especially <br /> crosswinds. Suggs displayed a wind Vector diagram, indicating that the most <br /> desirable alignment was 95% with the most wind coverage and the least crosswind <br /> component. Suggs inquired if wind velocity and crosswind component had been <br /> determined for the site. <br /> Stanley Bennett, resident of Chapel Hill Township, felt that the 5000 foot <br /> runway at a 20:1 angle was the safest specified angle of approach and that <br /> failure of the airport due to economic limitations was very real. <br /> Pat Crawford, citizen of Bingham Township, felt a 2000 foot approach- <br /> departure slope was preferred and would allow control of naturally growing <br /> objects. Crawford indicated that the conditions on the Special Use Permit and <br /> the special use permit requirement itself placed the burden of minimizing <br /> conflicting land uses on the applicant, rather than on an airport district or <br /> the exercise of eminent domain by the County. She referenced documentation <br /> which indicated that the approaches were critical areas deserving maximum <br /> protection and safety. She noted that the proposal had the potential to be <br /> five times larger than Horace Williams based on projected aircraft. She 'also <br /> felt the County had the duty to reduce inherent conflicts and to not deny the <br /> application for modification would be to make a farce of the ordinance. <br /> Miriam Murdock,, citizen of Bingham Township, expressed her opposition to <br /> the proposed airport. <br /> Bland Simpson, citizen of Bingham Township, expressed his opposition to the <br /> proposed airport in a prepared statement. He also read a letter from Mr. Eric <br /> Schopler who could not attend the public hearing. <br /> Noel Grady Brown expressed concern regarding traffic conditions along NC <br /> 54. Planning Board member Gordon asked what traffic conditions concerned her <br /> and Brown cited the traffic coming west from Alamance County. <br /> Barbara Page, representative of the Orange County Democratic Party, read a <br /> resolution approved by the Party on April 30, 1983, expressing opposition to <br /> the modification of the conditions imposed on the Special Use Permit. <br /> Ray Kirby, citizen of Bingham Township, asked if runoff controls had been <br />