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taxpayers at the end of the 31 year buildout $31,000,000. He feels more emphasis should <br /> be placed on treatment of the water where the primary responsibility is at the plant. <br /> GREG GANGI, spoke as a member of the Sierra Club. They passed a resolution which supports <br /> that of Dr. Okun. He stated that the elected bodies are asked to choose between the <br /> rights of the property owners to use their property as they choose and the rights of <br /> people to clean water and good health. He hopes the elected bodies will choose to protect <br /> the rights of clean water and good health. University Lake and the watershed are very <br /> fragile because of their characteristics including shallow depth, extensive agricultural <br /> activities and high potential for increased development and traffic. He feels that <br /> instead of making the water as bad as Smithfield's, we should pity them and learn from <br /> their mistakes. Many developers have indicated this will decrease the value of their <br /> land. With pretty good assurance, development in Chapel Hill is running out of space. <br /> Land prices may drop initially but only for a short while. A concern that the <br /> Commissioners can meet without jeopardizing the quality of water is that when the price of <br /> property increases, poor residents may be displaced because of rising taxes. <br /> ALLEN SPALT, resident of Carrboro and actively involved in protecting the watershed, <br /> stated that the CDM report is a good basis to start with but government officials need to <br /> recognize that it does have a very serious flaw. It started with an assumption that there <br /> should be a goal of minimal degradation of the water. It does not propose what it would <br /> take to maintain or improve the water quality. All the recommendations would result in at <br /> least a 10% degradation of the water. He is concerned that some of the provisions talked <br /> about now on impervious surface would result in the degradation of the water of at least <br /> one third or 35 to 40%. The recommendations presented by Marvin Collins seem to be solid <br /> in all respects. He supports a sliding scale for impervious surface but not a scale that <br /> goes from six to twelve percent. That is much too high. Community systems should be <br /> prohibited; water and sewer extensions with very limited exceptions should be prohibited. <br /> If there are MP's under any of the plans, it is essential that they be publicly <br /> maintained. This zoning decision in the not so very long run will result in increased <br /> values for everyone concerned. In the short run, it may not. This is not a taking or a <br /> confiscation and the governmental bodies should not be afraid that it is considered such. <br /> TOM SHAHADY, resident of Carrboro, stated that any development that is put in the <br /> watershed will be reflected in the Lake. Any pollutants will directly reflect the water <br /> quality. He supports any protection that can be given to this watershed. <br /> HAROLD MCKEEL spoke in support of watershed protection. He owns land in the watershed and <br /> urged the acceptance of the Planning Director's recommendation. Other water supplies were <br /> destroyed before people began paying attention to water quality. Orange County has the <br /> unique opportunity to enjoy water that is clean and it makes sense to protect it. <br /> LIVY LUDINCTON d'xpressed her concern for the polarity and divisiveness in this County when <br /> discussing drinking water. Everyone deserves to drink safe clean water. What the county <br /> decides to do in the watershed will affect the health of children and their children. <br /> This should not be an issue that divides people. They should be working together for the <br /> community. If the rivers and streams that comprise the watersheds are not clean, then the <br /> drinking water is not safe. People in this county who oppose the proposed zoning in the <br /> watershed will someday be concerned about their drinking water. Then those who approve <br /> these restrictions will help them fight for clean water because everyone is in this <br /> together. What is unique to Orange County is that the headwaters of the streams that <br /> comprise the watersheds are here within the boundaries of this County. What happens to <br /> the drinking water is totally up to the County. The landowners in the University <br /> Watershed have concerns that need to be listened to carefully. Her concern is that in <br />