Orange County NC Website
~, -._,.) <br />Background information is contained in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's office. <br />This Public Hearing is a continuation from June 2$ to allow time for the Planning ~ ~~~1i! <br />Staff and the County engineer to meet with the applicant and obtain additional <br />j. <br />information on the adequacy of the proposed system for wastewater disposal. A <br />memorandum from the Health Department regarding soil evaluations was also submitted at <br />the hearing on June 28. <br />At.its July 17 meeting, the Planning Board reviewed the application, the site <br />plan and all supporting documentation and found that the applicant complied with the <br />general standards, specific rules, and required regulations. The Planning Board further <br />determined that no information had been received which would establish. grounds for <br />making one or more of the findings as listed in Article 8.2.2 of the Zoning Ordinance. <br />PUBLIC HEARING (Continued) <br />STEVE PICKETT spoke in opposition of this development. He expressed concern <br />about the long term consequences of an alternative treatment facility. He feels the <br />watershed does not need this type of development but needs to be protected. <br />HAL MEKEEL asked if there was any enforcement to insure that this type of system <br />will be maintained. Also, he asked what affect a failure would have in the watershed. <br />Collins responded that if the system fails, the Homeowners Association would be <br />responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of the system. What is being <br />considered at this time is the Orange County Health Department providing an inspection <br />and monitoring service. This proposed service would be not only for community systems <br />but hopefully for individual systems as well. It would also be monitored by the <br />Division of Environmental Management. In answer. to the second question, Gollins stated <br />that at this point no one knows what the affect on the watershed will be. There have <br />not been any models to determine what may happen if the system failed. The extent of <br />the environmental harm caused by failed systems of this specific type is unknown at this <br />time. <br />ALLEN SPALT clarified that there is not a blanket moratorium from DEM on <br />alternative systems in WSI watersheds but there is a moratorium that is in affect until <br />they develop a clarifying definition of any project that leads toward urbanization in <br />the watershed. He expressed concern that the conditions as recommended by the staff do <br />not incorporate enough changes. In his opinion, there are requirements which will be <br />unenforceable or difficult to enforce. Because of the number of conditions for approval, <br />this project requires special attention, but the conditions have not really been dealt <br />with. He feels the project should not be approved because it does not promote the <br />public health, safety and welfare. The evidence for this is in the recommendations of <br />the University Lake Watershed Study. He feels that building an alternative wastewater <br />system is just a postponement of extending water and sewer lines into the RB which is <br />prohibited by Ordinance. He gave to the Clerk, to be entered into the official record, <br />a statement that he made in 1987 and a statement he made in May, 1989 and a copy of the <br />letter from Paul Wilms about Amberly Subdivision. <br />DR. T. KENNEY GRAY expressed opposition to this proposed development. He lives <br />about 1%~+ mile from it. He expressed concern that the county has no local experience <br />with alternative systems in the watershed. He does not feel that 38 safeguards will <br />protect the water in University Lake. He expressed deep concerns about the fact that <br />the groundwater that he shares with this proposed development might be contaminated. If <br />this system fails it could create surface sewage and obvious health threats. He asked <br />that this development not be approved because the potential risks are too great. <br />FORMAN HERRING asked that the Commissioners vote in favor of public health, <br />safety and welfare by voting against the McLennan Farm development in the watershed. <br />NANCY MILLER spoke against any type of development in the watershed until the r <br />Commissioners have an opportunity to rule on a moratorium on development in the <br />watershed in terms of the lot sizes and other parameters to be considered. <br />