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3 <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the 36% employee turnover rate for child care workers.. He <br />asked if exit interviews had been done? Ms. Russell indicated that poor wages was the main reason for <br />the high turnover. <br />Bill Strom indicated that he was speaking on his own behalf, not as a member of the Economic <br />Development Commission. He stated that this was initially received by the EDC members with some <br />controversy. However, the Economic Development Commission came to see this as a logical and <br />healthy step to take. Wages are the cornerstone of the economy. He encouraged the Commissioners to <br />move forward with this Ordinance. He mentioned that he was in favor of the Ordinance as it is written, <br />however, he would like to see it tied to the Economic Development fast tract component. He would also <br />like to see the threshold on service contracts lowered. <br />Alex Zaffron, member of the Economic Development Commission and the Carrboro Board of <br />Aldermen, indicated that he strongly supported the passage of this Ordinance. He feels that one of the <br />most difficult challenges is to close the gap between the cost of living and the ability of local citizens to <br />work and live in this community. <br />Fritzie Ross, an Orange County citizen spoke in support of this Ordinance. She mentioned that <br />the cost of low wages in the child care field is high turnover of employees and the quality of child care is <br />greatly impacted by the high turnover rate. <br />Mr. Ed King, an Orange County citizen, spoke in support of this Ordinance. He mentioned that <br />he was employed for $7.50 an hour and that it was practically impossible to balance even an extremely <br />conservative budget on that wage. <br />There being no further comments the Public Hearing was closed. The Ordinance will be <br />reviewed by staff for possible revision. The revised Ordinance will be returned to the Board of <br />Commissioners as soon as possible. <br />2. ZONING ATLAS AMENDMENT <br />(A) PD-2--98 State Employees Credit Union <br />The following citizens and staff were sworn in so that they could speak to this <br />item: Planner Eddie Kirk, State of North Carolina Credit Union employee Robin Lewis, O'Brien/Atkins <br />Associates, Inc. employees Jay Smith and Steve Russ, and Jack Alphin of Alphin Realty. This item was <br />presented by Planner Eddie Kirk for the purpose of receiving citizen comment on a Planned <br />Development and Class A Special Use Permit for the State Employees Credit Union. The property is <br />located on the southwest corner of Old Chapel Hill-Hillsborough Road and Oakdale Drive in Hillsborough <br />Township. It contains the two corner lots which total 2.07 acres in size. This property is in the Economic <br />Development Zoning District as well as the property immediately south and the lot immediately west. The <br />State Employees Credit Union is a permitted use in this district. The proposed design meets all of the <br />requirements specified in the Design Manual except the requirement for a buffer around the perimeter of <br />the property. The buffer could not be met due to the lot size, therefore the applicants are requesting a <br />waiver of this requirement. The site plan indicates a proposed buffer of 59 feet next to Oakdale Drive, 52 <br />ft 7 inches next to Old Chapel Hill-Hillsborough Road, 40 feet next to the western property line and 24 <br />feet 1 inch next to the southern property line. He indicated that in order to conform to this particular site, <br />the parking has been moved to the rear of the proposed building. He indicated that staff has <br />recommended four improvements to the plan in the event that the Board of Commissioners approve this <br />request. <br />QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked for clarification regarding whether or not there is a drive through. <br />Mr. Kirk indicated that there was an ATM and a drive through. <br />In response to a question by Commissioner Gordon, Eddie Kirk reviewed the surrounding uses <br />which include a CITGO station, several residences which are located in the Economic Development <br />Districts to the south and west. To the North is a residence in the Town of Hillsborough's jurisdiction. <br />He also indicated that the sewer connection would either be at Flint Ridge or at the prison facility.