Orange County NC Website
Ted Abernathy, Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) mentioned that <br />the Commission has adopted sustainable development principles which will be used as the EDC <br />looks at the issue of sustainable development. <br />John Link stated that those principles had not been officially adopted as a Commissioner <br />goal. Sustainable development principles could be used when the issues of the economy are <br />being discussed. He also mentioned that the Shaping Orange County's Future Task Force is <br />expected to review these and incorporate them, if they see fit, into their final report. Other than <br />these expectations there were no specific intentions for how to use these principles. <br />Commissioner Carey suggested that the Shaping Orange County's Future Task Force be <br />requested to review them. <br />John Link agreed to research past discussion on these principles and to offer suggestions <br />as to sustainable development goals and how to achieve them. <br />Commissioner Gordon suggested that sustainable economic development could be added <br />and then adopted as a part of the EDC Strategic Plan. <br />Commissioner Brown suggested another area to consider would be the analysis of present <br />development and the development of a template. She asked for a review and explanation of the <br />current template. <br />Master Recreation & Parks Plan: <br />Commissioner Carey asked about the goal of updating the Master Recreation & Parks Plan. <br />John Link stated that he and the Town Managers have met on the various options for coordinating <br />and combining both the capital and operating portions of Parks and Recreation Plan. One of the <br />questions which arose was did the Commissioners want to expand either the number or the charge <br />of the Task Force which has already been appointed in order for it to be more inclusive of the <br />planning process that the towns are pursuing. A letter has been sent to the other Managers asking <br />if they were interested in pursuing a broadened approach. The internal Recreation and Parks Plan is <br />currently scheduled to be revised this fall. The Town Manager's will be contacted in follow up to the <br />recent letter requesting their participation. <br />Solid Waste Issues: <br />Commissioner Gordon suggested that the solid waste issue which is on the agenda and the <br />Solid Waste Goals need to be discussed as the same time. She also asked how the Efland Sewer <br />Projects relates to the Bond. John Link stated that the goal for the Efland Sewer Planning Process <br />was to acquire funding from outside sources. If the Bond passes that goal will be accomplished. <br />Economic Development Districts: <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked if this was related in any way to the Buckhorn Economic <br />Development District. <br />Ted Abernathy stated that the zoning has occurred but there is no related goal at this time. <br />John Link indicated that Mebane has been interested in gaining clarity regarding Orange <br />County's goals and plans. The funding of water and sewer lines, as a concept, has been driven by <br />our trying to gain State grants or loans to address the homeowner needs in the Efland area. If the <br />EDD develops there may be companies locating there who would be willing to participate in the <br />extension of water/sewer lines or be willing to be part of the process by which we gain Economic