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5 <br /> GOAL TRIORITIES DEVELOPMENT <br /> No changes were made to the agenda. Chair Carey exalained that the agenda had been <br /> expanded to include other members of other boards and the School Board Chairs. Through <br /> these goals, the County staff will know what the Board desires and can proceed <br /> accordingly. <br /> GROWTH MANAGEMENT <br /> RURAL CHARACTER STUDY <br /> Planning Board Chair Barry Jacobs stated the goals for the Planning Board. <br /> They want to make the services in the Planning Department more accessible to the <br /> citizens and easier to understand. The Transportation Study will be continued this year <br /> because some of the issues are dependent on the outcome of the Rural Character Study and <br /> the final Chapel Hill/Durham/Carrboro Thoroughfare Plan. The Planning Board will stay <br /> involved with the Rural Character Study and the watershed issues. They will pursue <br /> individual planning efforts on other projects including the Efland Area Study. <br /> With reference to the Rural Character Study (RCS) and the bond for - <br /> recreation and open space for parkland, Chairman Carey noted that the Agricultural <br /> Advisory Board has requested that the County move ahead with purchase of development <br /> rights. He stated that this should be pursued as a goal because it seems to be <br /> consistent with what the'Planning Board and the Agricultural Board has recommended. A <br /> plan needs to be developed. <br /> Barry Jacobs stated that the Rural Character process included a subcommittee <br /> which made recommendations to the full committee. The full committee adopted most of <br /> ' what was recommended. One option would be the purchase of development rights. The <br /> higher density developments would have water and sewer services. Selling development <br /> rights would achieve larger lots. He indicated that after the January 18 Rural <br /> Character Study meeting a process will need to be developed. It will go to the Planning <br /> Board before going to the Board of Commissioners and can go to public hearing in May. <br /> Chairman Carey stated that regarding the authority to purchase development <br /> rights -- the County needs to develop a plan to move ahead with farmland preservation. <br /> The purchase of development rights is one way of doing that. He feels that the purchase <br /> of development rights should be included in the Rural Character Study. Before pursuing <br /> a bond, the public needs to inform the Board of what they are willing to invest. <br /> Planning Board member Chris Best spoke as a member of the Transportation <br /> Advisory Committee. The Committee has about completed Phase I and would like for the <br /> Board to consider financing Phase II for this next fiscal year. He suggested that a <br /> public hearing be held on Phase I in conjunction with the Thoroughfare Plans. <br /> Chairman Carey noted that nothing has been received from DOT on the <br /> Thoroughfare Plan since they gave a report to the Commissioners last winter. <br /> Commissioner Willhoit noted that the County needs to call for a modification <br /> of the plan before holding a public hearing. The Commissioners feel that DOT is not <br /> responsive to the public hearings that have been held, the EDC, watershed protection, <br /> etc. These issues need to be considered on a regional basis. <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis asked John Link for an update on the process for <br />