Minutes - 19880222 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

member of the Recreation & Parks Advisory Council and Cedar Grove farmer. The first question ~.s how or why private land can be taken for public use; secondly, Mrs. Compton referenced a meeting in the Cedar Grove area of the parks representatives and noted that no one at that meeting voted in favor of greenways. She continued explaining the concern regarding greenways in rural areas. She noted that wildlife is deprived of the undisturbed safe access to the water's edge, farmlands are affected because the access for irrigation and continued conservation is taken away by having the water's edge no longer accessible for the farmer. She also stated that the landowner who desires to hunt or allow hunting an his property can no longer do so due to safety hazards. She asked who would monitor the greenways providing maintenance, mowing and general clean up. She continued posing questions about which Mr. Compton is concerned such as haw the landowner would be protected when he provides greenway access to his property and, what incentives such as tax breaks are available to the landowners for the donation of lands. She suggested that the Gaunty purchase the land it needs for parks and greenways and leave the farmlands alone. While realizing that the rural areas will be affected by growth, let it come naturally and require greenways only as the residential development occurs. The conclusion~of Mr. Compton's concerns was that the natural habitat be preserved and greenways are not wanted or needed in the Cedar Grove area. The final comment regarding a meeting on the water critical issue was that it had been made very clear that the farmers did not own the water that was behind the dams on their farms, his comment is that no one else owns it either; the land is privately awned, how can it be taken for public use. James R. Smith, a resident of Bingham Township, presented a statement from the citizens of rural Orange County and submitted printed concerns to be entered into the public hearing record (an attachment as part of these minutes). Mary Johnson indicated her concerns had been addressed and she would not speak at this time. Lynwood Hobgood stated he felt he could see disbelief and concern on the faces of those citizens present whose private property ownerships appear to be at the point of being invaded. He continued expressing concern with the present form of government and the possibility of what it may do. He expressed concern with the reasoning behind the formulation of the plan indicating that he felt those involved simply needed "something to do." He also expressed concern with the projected cost of the twenty-year plan and the fear of under- estimation. He felt the only possible way the County could