Orange County NC Website
Chair Shirley E. Marshal]. read a statement from the League of Wo n~ <br />Voters. This statement is made a part of these minutes and is printed <br />below: <br />"The League of Women Voters of Chapel Hill/Carrboro commends the Board <br />_, of County Commissioners for their support of long-range planning for parks <br />and recreation facilities in Orange County. <br />Orange County has been very fortunate to have residents who were goad <br />stewards of the land. However, with changing patterns in agriculture, this <br />loyal stewardship will, in some areas, slip out of local hands. In view of <br />the rapid development brought about by the growth of the Research Triangle <br />Park and stimulated further by the extension of I-40 through Orange County, <br />it is crucial for the future of this area that resource management decisions <br />be addressed now. These decisions should include identification and <br />regulation of areas impacted by expected public and private investment and <br />acquisition of land for public use, through donation or purchase. <br />The League believes that the County Commissioners are promoting public <br />understanding and participation in this planning effort. Citizens were <br />given the opportunity to express their views and desires at township <br />meetings. Citizen's input continues to be encouraged at public hearings <br />such as tonight's. <br />The League of Women Voters of Chapel Hill/Carrboro supports the goal set <br />forth in the Master Park Plan: <br />"To provide the citizens, elected officials and staff of Orange County a <br />20 year course of action that adequately addresses the needs of all citizens <br />within the community regardless of age, sex, race, handicap or income, and <br />provides economically attainable timetable for acquiring, developing and <br />administering recreation and park resources, programs and facilities. <br />The League therefore urges the County Commissioners to adopt the Master <br />Park Plan." <br />l TED LATTA stated that he .has come out in opposition to the Park Plan <br />Because it is being considered for the CIP bond package and he feels it is <br />=got a good idea for the county because the needs of the schools and an <br />adequate and clean water supply outweigh the needs of the parks. He is not <br />saying drop the parks. The plan can be handled through Recreation and Parks <br />and through small appropriations to the county budget without going with a <br />bond for six million dollars to get it started. <br />BARRY JACOBS ,Chairman of the Planning Board, explained that although <br />the Planning Board has not voted on the Plan that they have generally worked <br />to support it. A few recommendations that have been made include (1) that <br />the park plan include some work with Hillsborough in an effort to preserve <br />portions of Occoneechee Mountain and (2) those lands that are currently <br />under County ownership that would not be flooded by a reservoir on Seven <br />Mile Creek be designated due to their unique natural characteristics. They <br />encourage that passive and active recreation be part of the plan. He <br />presented statistics contained in a newspaper article which points out that <br />the responsibility for developing parks and recreation in North Carolina is <br />at the County level and not the State as is the case in other states. <br />JEAN FORREST asked what would happen if a person does not want to sell <br />their land for a park when a site becomes definite. <br />Chair Marshall stated that a site would not become definite if a person <br />did not want to sell their land. No one will be forced to sell their land <br />for a park. <br />VERN MILLER does not agree that there is an overall need for parks. <br />some are needed and some are wanted. Orange County should not be compared <br />with other counties. County government should look at the needs of Orange <br />County and try to take care of these needs without taxing the people more <br />