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84 John Eckblad, President of Orange County Habitat for Humanity, indicated that they are trying to pull together various resources in the community to work together to help alleviate the problem of affordable housing. He discussed the various elements of their plan which must work together in order to get these houses built. Habitat has two buildable lot at the present time. David Nichols, Partnership facilitator for Orange County Habitat, spoke in favor of the submitted plan for this subdivision. He indicated that the request being presented would prevent the further reduction of available lots and it would open the door for direct and substantive participation on the part of Orange County government in the effort to provide affordable housing. A rephasing request has been submitted which would allow development of 34 lots. The roads listed as public, paved, state maintained are requested to be listed as private, gravel, homeowner maintained. This request is a result of Habitat's need for county participation in the paving of these roads. He pointed out ways in which other areas have responded to the Habitat effort and asked Orange County to respond positively to this request for assistance. Allowing these roads to be private would allow Habitat and Orange County the time to find funding t pave these roads at a later time. Phil Szostak spoke in favor of Habitat's request. Bob Epting indicated that this is the first subdivision in which Habitat has been involved. His law firm has done title work for Habitat in the past.. He stated that he felt special privileges should not be granted to Habitat, however, amending the phasing plan adding Phase III to Phase II would alleviate the immediate problem. The time limit could then be extended to allow two years for completing the improvements to'Phase II. That two years would give Habitat time to establish a liaison with the county to help address issues such as funding for paving of this road, etc. J. W. Watkins indicated he was unaware of any State funds being used to pave roads in subdivisions since 1975. The State is not involved in private roads, either for paving or maintaining after completion. The provision, under the assessment part of the General Statutes, states that the Board of County commissioners may ask that a road be added to the Highway System. He also mentioned that the State does not have a time limit on when a road needs to be brought up to State standards. .Commis'sioner Marshall mentioned that many Community Development Bloc Grants are in communities that have hold-harmless funds. Counties do not normally have these funds and she asked that D.O.T. help the County find solutions to these problems. Chairman Carey acknowledged the cards and letters he received from citizens who were supportive of Habitat for Humanity efforts. He also indicated that he felt it was incumbent upon the Board of Commissioners to be clear about its authority and what can be done to help Habitat for Humanity. They also need to be clear about what they cannot do within the law. He recommended that the request for approval of a private, unpaved road be denied.