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Rural Buffer would not perk. <br />Jeff Collins stated he was the Conservation Chair of the Sierra Club <br />and that the club was in favor of the two acre minimum lot size requirement. <br />He. expressed the feeling that there had been much public input. He <br />indicated he felt the Joint Planning Agreement was a plan that would manage ',-"' <br />growth in a wise way. He stated that he was also against the extension of <br />public water and sewer into the Rural Buffer. <br />Brad Walters stated he is the owner of a nonconforming lot in the <br />Rural Suffer. He expressed concern for those who wished to pass land on to <br />children but would be unable to due to legalities as presented by-the County <br />Attorney. He expressed approval of the recommendation to not extend water <br />and sewer into the Rural Suffer. He felt that was essential to maintain the <br />buffer. <br />Mr. Walters asked Mr. Collins the percentage of the 38,000 acres which <br />would not perk. Collins responded that information is not available. <br />Commissioner Marshall noted that that information would be very difficult to <br />obtain. Mr. Walters continued that he felt a bond issue would the best way <br />to acquire open space and parkland. <br />Nick_Tennyson stated he is president of the Homebuilder's Association <br />of Durham/Chapel Hill. He indicated he felt that one acre lots are needed <br />in order that housing can be provided. <br />Ruth Williams opposed the two acre minimum lot size requirement. <br />Mrs. W. M. Burnette indicated opposition to the two acre minimum lot <br />size requirement. <br />Carl Walters indicated the farmers in the Rural Suffer had not been` <br />spoken to about the recommendations for the area. He noted that Mapleview'•`:-. <br />Farm had received national recognition. He stated there were three <br />contiguous farms totaling 1000 acres. If Carrboro and Chapel Hill really <br />need open a Rural Buffer/open space, how much are they willing to pay for <br />it? He suggested that if we want things to stay agricultural/open, that it <br />be left in the hands of the farmers who know ho'w to protect it. <br />Mr. Walters stated that a l5~ slope is not reasonable. He noted the <br />state of Maine has encouraged farmers to preserve level areas and clear <br />slopes. No one has come up with a number of acres greater than 15~ and <br />unperkable. Mr. Walters asked that if that number of acres plus several <br />full-time dairy farms (Cheeks, Hogan, Dodson & Cates), is considered, just <br />how much land is left to develop? <br />Walters stated he did not feel enough information was available to <br />"put anything down in concrete". If the desire is to preserve farmlands for <br />open space, let's give some incentives that are more than just suggestions. <br />Cecil Griffin stated that higher density is needed to lower the costs <br />of governmental services. He asked why the two acre minimum lot size <br />requirement should just apply to the Rural Buffer rather than the entire <br />county. He indicated he felt it was illogical to expect that two acres is <br />sufficient for wildlife and a rural environment. <br />Mr. Griffin noted that on twa occasions the Orange County Planning <br />Board had recommended a one acre minimum lot size and the Board of County <br />Commissioners voted for a two acre minimum lot size. He asked why .the <br />Planning Board is not recommending one acre naw. <br />S ence Dickinson indicated he felt that everyone will not be <br />