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15;3 <br />~~ <br />\~r <br />fat <br />Orange County <br />Planning & Inspections Department <br />306F Revere Road Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br />Telephone: (919) 732-8181 <br />FAX (919) 644-3002 <br />CANE CREEK WATERSHED STAFF REPORT <br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY October 30,1998 <br />The Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) report entitled "Final Recommendations for <br />Protecting the Cane Creek Water Supply" was referred to Planning staff to 1) evaluate the <br />watershed study, and 2) prepaze a staff report with applicable recommendations, prior to the <br />development of any proposed ordinance amendments. <br />Accordingly, this summer, planning staff members formed the Cane Creek Analysis Team <br />(CCAT) to evaluate the implications of the Cane Creek Reservoir Watershed Study and final <br />OWASA recommendations. Because of the cost and time required to quantify impacts, and the <br />unknown cost-effectiveness of such reseazch, assessment of the watershed study and OWASA <br />recommendations impacts was lazgely of a qualitative nature. At this point, staff are able to <br />provide preliminary recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. Following additional <br />input, staff will prepare a final recommendation for the November 23, 1998 public hearing. <br />Staff Analysis. <br />Preliminary analysis of the watershed study and OWASA recommendations reveals that ensuring <br />adequate and reliable long-term protection of the water quality of Cane Creek Reservoir <br />necessitates a reduction in the pattern, intensity and/or amount of future development activity in <br />the watershed. Such a reduction can only be accomplished with certainty through land use <br />controls that cause development to occur in either lazge-lot or cluster configurations. Based on <br />staff s analysis, there appear to be three watershed management options that would accomplish <br />the needed long-term water quality protection. Each offers potential benefits and drawbacks. <br />Option 1: Mandatory Flexible Development/Large Lot <br />Current two-acre zoning along with mandatory flexible development (33% open space) <br />outside of the watershed critical azea. In the critical area, five-acre lot zoning with up to <br />five lots as small as two acres for lots of record. OWASA 20-year plan for land acquisition <br />resulting in 1,266 acres. <br />Option 2: Creative Open-Space Development ("Open-Space " or "Cluster ") <br />Current two-acre zoning along with mandatory "Creative Open-Space Design" (50% open <br />space with one acre minimum lot size). Tributary detention ponds on Caterpillar Creek and <br />