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.:. ~ PUBLIC CHARGE - - ~~ `~.- , Y , Chair Moses Carey, Jr. read the public charge. PUBLIC HEARING - 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium ~ INTERIM DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IN THE WATERSHED Chairman Moses Carey, Jr. made introductory remarks and read the Public Charge. He explained the purpose of this meeting is to hear citizen comments on the proposed interim standards for protecting water quality in the watershed. Planning Director Marvin Collins made the presentation. He noted that the regulations being contemplated are more restrictive and expansive than anticipated. The reason is that the County did not want. to close off possibilities. These are optimum standards, not what has already been decided. He described how these interim standards would affect properties of less than two acres in size, how they would affect properties which have already received some county approval and what projec-cs lacking any approval would be subject to these interim standards. For existing lots which are less than two acres in size and where the property owner has. no intention of subdividing his propexty, the affects of these standards would be practically none. These standards are not retroactive and basically apply only to new lots which are being created ar new development projects being. considered for approval by the County. If a person has gone through the process of filing far a minor subdivision and has received an approval by the County on their final plat, they would not be affected. Any property owner or developer who has submitted to the County an application for a major subdivision, and received preliminary plat approval, would not be affected by these interim development standards. Any project submitted to the Planning Department for site plan approval after the adoption of such interim development standards would be subject to these standards. Collins referred to a map of the County and showed the watershed boundaries and the critical areas around the watersheds and reservoirs. He described in detail each watershed and each reservoir. With reference to the interim development standards, he noted the recommended changes from what was originally advertised. He referred to the handout showing the comparison of existing/proposed minimum required lot sizes, and the interim development standards for Orange County watersheds. In all the designated watershed areas, there would be a six month prohibition on the use of any community alternative systems including package treatment plants, low pressure ground absorption systems, and also spray irrigation. For individual lots being developed by a single propexty owner, there would be no prohibition in terms of alternative systems. The only real impact on the individual's property is that there could not be an easement an an adjoining property for nitrification with the building on a separate lot. The nitrification field and the dwelling would have to be contained within the same lot lines ar propexty lines. Yn terms of the duration of the standards, they would last for six months from the date of enactment ar the adoption of new watershed protection measures, whichever occurrs first. Commissioner Hartwell expressed the hope that everyone at this public hearing would listen to one another. There needs to be a focus on the mechanisms available to compensate one another for pure water. He is an advocate for development rights which could be sold. He cares about the quality of the water because he cares to make this a good place to live. He does not want one group to run over another group and their rights. The story here tonight is about free people assembled in a democratic setting