Orange County NC Website
could be in the acre-for-acre swap, while another 200 acres would be in the <br />proposed transition area. She continued, noting that her family is very <br />interested in protecting the watershed. She indicated two purposes would <br />be served if the swap takes place-the watershed would be protected and <br />Carrboro would be given the license to grow but there is no sense of equity <br />for those residents of the Calvander area. She urged the Commissioners not <br />to diminish the way of life of the Calvander residents forever. <br />Mr. Henry_Whitfield indicated he did not own property in the area <br />being considered for the swap. He expressed a concern over public <br />confusion and lack of knowledge in the general public about planning. He <br />expressed concerns that County planners were not aware of the impact of <br />their planning efforts on the property owners/taxpayers of the County. He <br />indicated he felt there would be a two-acre checkerboard over the entire <br />county. He noted concerns that he felt planning was being done without the <br />property owners having benefit of input. He indicated he felt pressure <br />would not be so great on planners if there were only one planning office <br />for the whole of Orange County. <br />Chair Marshall asked Mr. Whitfield to please speak only to the <br />issues on the public hearing agenda. <br />Mr. Whitfield indicated he felt he was speaking to the transition <br />area on the agenda. He expressed concern that he was not able to, present <br />his problem, indicating he felt the meetings were not properly set so all <br />property owners could participate before decisions were made. He suggested <br />that the entire County be under one planning jurisdiction and the problem <br />of jurisdiction would be solved. <br />Mr. David Moreau spoke in favor of the concept of the 13 point plan <br />in so far as it offers development in the Bolin Creek Watershed as a <br />alternative to development in the University Lake Watershed. He noted that <br />growth is occurring at a very rapid rate and the consequence of this is the <br />transition of lands from lower to higher densities. He indicated the <br />proposal represents a logical step to accommodate growth while minimizing <br />the adverse effects of growth and minimize the cost of providing sewer <br />service. He indicated that wherever growth occurs, the problem of what to <br />do about areas that are undergoing transition from lower to higher <br />densities is an ongoing question. He indicated he felt that in addressing <br />those issues it is appropriate that one consider the welfare of the larger <br />community. in the County and minimize the impacts of growth on ever-gone. <br />Mr. Jay Bryan stated he is a resident of Carrboro and noted he could <br />sympathize with the current government's need to try to reach .out for some <br />more property. He did not feel it is appropriate to use the method of swap <br />to do this. He felt that if the Amberly project is approved, it will set a <br />precedent that the County will not be able to overcome. Tt will allow <br />development to come in and affect. adjoining property values and cause land <br />value to be reduced as density is increased. He felt any project proposed <br />for the watershed should be kept under a moratorium until the watershed <br />study is completed. He expressed the desire that oWASA take a mare <br />protective stance in terms of being the real advocate for water. <br />Mr. Dan Okun encouraged water management. He noted that development <br />will be taking place but asked that it not be allowed to take place in the <br />watershed. University Lake Watershed is not only supplying water for <br />Chapel Hill but will be a water supply for the entire southeastern region <br />of Orange County. The only way to protect the watershed is to prevent <br />development in the watershed. He urged that a good example be set as a <br />portion of Chatham County is also in the University Lake watershed. <br />