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Commissioner Gordon asked about Wake County schools and was told that 15 schools in the <br />90's have been built with that concept. <br />Susan Dovenbarger questioned at what point in the planning process the schools will be involved <br />and how will the governments work with the school boards. Mary Bushnell suggested that the final <br />document include the responsibilities of each. <br />In answer to a question from Commissioner Halkiotis, Harvey Goldstein said that the school board <br />was against skateboarding near Culbreth because it was near a research area, it was thought to attract <br />older people in their 20's and that there would be an increased demand on the usage of the restrooms <br />which could lead to vandalism. <br />3. DESIGNATION OF GENERAL AREAS FOR FUTURE SCHOOL SITES - SCHOOL SYSTEMS <br />AND <br />COUNTY ROLES <br />Commissioner Gordon mentioned that the Southern Village project and the adjacent Chapel Hill <br />Park will be providing a 16-acre tract for an elementary school. However, there has been no discussion <br />about a school site in the University Station area. <br />Nick Didow said that the Town of Carrboro is aware of the school growth and is including in their <br />discussion of the Northwest Small Area Plan locations for new schools and parks. <br />Neil Pedersen said that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District is working with Roscoe <br />Reeve on designating future school sites and should have that information available in about two months. <br />Marvin Collins said that if future school sites can be designated on the Land Use Plan that <br />whenever a development comes in, they can require that property be reserved for a school and then the <br />school board has five years (corrected to 18 months) to decide if they want to purchase that property. <br />However, these future sites must be designated in the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis noted that the County is willing to help both school systems identify <br />parcels of land for future school sites. <br />Commissioner Willhoit noted that in the County, there are smaller subdivisions more spread out <br />and that one problem in identifying future school sites is the unavailability of water and sewer. If sites <br />could be identified and purchased, they could be used for recreation and parks until a school is built. <br />Mark Royster feels that if parcels are identified the price will increase. <br />Commissioner Willhoit noted that it is not necessary to identify a specific parcel, but to identify a <br />specific area. It actually may help the developer with selling his property. <br />Harvey Goldstein emphasized the importance of working together on identifying and funding future <br />schools. He feels the Board of County Commissioners need to take the lead in this effort. <br />Larry Haverland asked at what point they need to let someone know they are interested in a future <br />school site. If they are going to build 500 homes in University Station, perhaps they should think about a <br />new school further south instead of further north. <br />Marvin Collins said that their Planning Staff reported to the Orange County Board of Education <br />several months ago on the possibility of five subdivisions in University Station and received no interest in <br />designating a school site. <br />Susan Dovenbarger asked that the Planning Department continue to let them know about future <br />subdivisions. <br />Marvin Collins said that if a school site is designated on the Comprehensive Plan, they can require <br />the developer to reserve a school site. They would have to set aside so much acreage for five years <br />(later corrected this to 18 months). If the school does not purchase the property within that time, it reverts <br />back to raw land and the developer can do whatever he/she wants. <br />Marvin Collins clarified that once an area is designated, the school board has eighteen (18) <br />months in which to purchase the property. <br />4. REVIEW OF THE TEN-POINT PLAN FOR SCHOOL CAPITAL FINANCING <br />Impact Fees <br />The first three topics relate to the technical report on the impact fee. Marvin Collins said <br />that as soon as the school construction standards report is finished in March, he will use these standards